I appreciate it.
Right now I can't watch the video, but I gather the point you're making here is that anarchism is an unrealistic proposition? If so, that's a criticism I understand (and basically agree with, although I have a response, which I'll get to).
What confuses me about your first reply was its gendered nature. I'm not anything like an expert on anarchism (I've read a few books and essays, that's all), but my impressions are that it's inherently feminist. Anarchism opposes social hierarchy and the domination of individuals and groups by other individuals and groups, and supports the dignity, autonomy, and the right of self-determination for all people (i.e., regardless of sex or gender), as I understand it. It seems you see it differently, and I'm still curious about that. I'm male, and if I have a blind spot on this issue, I'd just as soon address it.
Regarding the impracticality of anarchism: As I mentioned, I'm more or less in agreement, but I think that's missing the point. The best way I can think of to explain myself is to offer an analogy. I've come to regard anarchism similarly to the way I regard pacifism. Do people really believe a world free of violence and war is possible? From where I sit, that doesn't seem achievable. In fact, I'd say a world without violence is even more far-fetched than the idea of democracy without government. There are numerous examples of self-organizing communities that have persisted for generations without government (although not in within the context of an industrial civilization), whereas I'm not sure it would be nearly as easy to find examples of a place where violence was absent for a significant length of time. But efforts to minimize violence or prevent or end a war sometimes bear fruit, and I think there's value in pointing out that violence is wrong. Similarly, I think efforts to challenge social hierarchies and advance the moral principles of autonomy, voluntary association, self-organization, mutual aid, and democracy are worthwhile.
Thanks again! I hope you're having a good weekend.
= new reply since forum marked as read
