Anarcho-syndicalism: definition, symbolism. Anarcho-syndicalism in Russia

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:45

Anarcho-syndicalism is one of the most widespread left movements in the world. In the form in which it is now, it arose more than a hundred years ago. At the same time, the movement has many supporters around the world. Their political activity takes place in various fields. The range of political activity is very wide: from representatives in the European Parliament, ending with youth street protests. Many prominent philosophers of the first half of the twentieth century shared anarchist beliefs and actively promoted them to the masses.

Anarcho-syndicalism is still popular among young people. The symbolism of this movement often appears on demonstrations and strikes.

Origin in Russia

Anarcho-syndicalism arose in the early twentieth century. At that time, various leftist movements were extremely popular in Europe. In the circles of the intelligentsia, there were endless reviews of the works of popular philosophers of that time. One of the first prominent anarchists was Mikhail Bakunin.

He interpreted the earlier ideas of federalism in his own way. Radicalizing them, he came to anarchism. His first works produced a realsensation in France and Germany. Pamphlets summarizing his ideas began to be printed. The first anarchists were very different from modern ones. The cornerstone of their activities, they considered the association of all workers in communes or syndicates (hence the name). Interethnic conflicts were not so acute then. However, Bakunin and his supporters believed that it was possible to build a free society, without oppressors and the oppressed, on the basis of ethnic self-identification. Mikhail himself stood on the positions of pan-Slavism - the idea of \u200b\u200bunifying all Slavs. He believed that European culture invariably attacks the Slavic way of life, trying to assimilate it. Many representatives of the Polish emigration liked his ideas.

Roger Roker

Another prominent theorist of the twentieth century - R. Rocker. Anarcho-syndicalism in his understanding was somewhat different from "classical". Unlike Bakunin, he took an active part in the political life of Europe. He was a prominent member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany. Through his efforts, several trade union organizations were created, which played an important role in the revolutionary events after the First World War. In the early 1920s, left-wing movements around the world were as strong as ever. A revolution took place in Russia, which, of course, inspired all its supporters around the world. New states were created on the expanses of former empires. Under these conditions, Roque managed to unite several socialist groups. Thousands of supporters of anarcho-syndicalism appeared in the Weimar Republic. However, with the coming to power of the National Socialistsanarchists and other representatives of the radical left began to be persecuted.

After Hitler was proclaimed Fuhrer, Rocker fled to America, where he died in 1958, leaving a great legacy to his contemporaries.

Guidelines

Anarcho-syndicalism is a far left movement. Despite many similarities, it is very different from the communist one. One of the main differences is the denial of statehood. Anarchists believed that it was impossible to build a just society without destroying all the states formed for historical reasons. Hence also follows the denial of ethnic division into peoples. The new society must be built solely on the basis of the self-organization of the workers all over the world. The hierarchical structure must be completely denied. Anarchists should not participate in any public affairs. All political activity takes place exclusively in revolutionary activity. Merging with the state apparatus is fraught with the possibility of the oppressors seizing the initiative.

Methods of struggle

Anarcho-syndicalism involves organizing on the ground. Workers' syndicates must be based on the principles of mutual aid and understanding. This unity is necessary to fight for their rights. So-called direct actions were considered as methods.

It's strikes, strikes, street protests and so on. After the decision to start the action, all workers must support it. Such actions are intended to bringcommune and lay the foundation for a further revolution. A popular revolution for the sake of establishing a just society is the ultimate goal of anarcho-syndicalists.

Collective organization

All decisions that affect daily life must be made by general vote within the workers' unions. And as a mechanism for making such decisions, general meetings of workers were considered, in which all members of society could participate, regardless of social, ethnic or any other affiliation. Any political activity outside of these unions is also denied. Any cooperation with the state apparatus is prohibited. At the time of their greatest influence, anarchists never participated in elections and did not compromise with the government. Each strike ended only after the adoption of the required changes by the management of the enterprises. At the same time, the workers themselves did not limit themselves to any obligations and could resume the protest at any time.

Organization of communes

Communes were to be organized exclusively on a horizontal basis. At the same time, any heads and elites were denied.

People had to independently build life within the framework of their union at their own discretion, while taking into account the opinion of as many participants as possible. Unions could cooperate with each other, but on the principles of equality. The binding of the community to the state or ethnic group was rejected. According to prominent theorists, the formation of syndicates on the principle of permanent revolution should havelead to a worldwide union.

Private Property

The syndicalists consider private property to be the root of the problem of modern society. In their opinion, the division of society into classes occurred precisely after the appearance of the first private property (on the means of production). The unfair distribution of resources has led to the fact that each person began to compete with other members of society. And the more the capitalist model of relations develops, the more this principle of interaction takes root in the minds of people. This implies an attitude towards the state as an exclusively punitive body, all the coercive mechanisms of which operate in the interests of a small group of people. Therefore, the destruction of such a hierarchical system is possible only after the destruction of capitalism. From the above, it follows that anarcho-syndicalism is a worldview that involves the struggle of the broad masses for their rights through direct action, denying cooperation with the oppressors, for the sake of building a just society. Next, let's talk about how it was in Russia.

Anarcho-syndicalism in Russia

In Russia, the first anarcho-syndicalists appeared at the beginning of the twentieth century. The movement arose mainly among the progressive intelligentsia and took the example of the Decembrists.

Under the influence of theorists, mainly Bakunin, the anarchists began to approach the workers and organize the first unions. They were called "populists". Initially, the range of political views of populistsvery different. However, a radical wing of rebels soon emerged under the leadership of Bakunin. Their goal was a popular uprising. According to the then anarcho-syndicalists, after the uprising and revolution, the state would be destroyed, and in its place various federations and communes of workers would arise, which would become the basis of a new order of society. Such ideas were challenged by the communists. They called them too utopian. The basis of criticism was the assumption that even if one capitalist state was destroyed, it would not be possible to establish people's power, since neighboring states would immediately take advantage of the situation.

Modernity

There is also modern anarcho-syndicalism. Its flag is red and black, while both fields are at an angle.

Red is a reference to socialism, while black is a reference to anarchy. Modern syndicalists are very different from their predecessors. If in the twentieth century anarchist unions numbered millions of members, now they have become marginal youth groups. In Europe, there is an increase in the popularity of left-wing ideas. However, instead of fighting against class inequality, the new anarcho-syndicalists prioritize the fight against various types of discrimination. Sometimes the reasons for the protests are completely absurd, so anarcho-syndicalism is no longer supported en masse in society. The definition of this ideology, given more than a hundred years ago, is interpreted today in different ways, which is why there is no unity even among the anarchists themselves. Sothe movement does not enjoy the support of the people.

Most famous stocks

Anarchists have been actively involved in various political processes of historical significance for more than a hundred years. In the twenties they played a major role in the establishment of the Weimar Republic, as well as in the change of regimes in other countries. Regular strikes often escalated into nationwide riots. According to many sources, in France alone, more than a million people supported anarcho-syndicalism. What it is, they could not unequivocally answer, since these people mainly belonged to the poor strata of society. But they managed to deliver a lot of problems to the government. In the 1930s, thousands of anarchists went to Spain to fight in the civil war.