Lately, I’ve had many thoughts on Anarchism and anarchist practice. At a recent Introduction to Anarchism session I attended at AntiUniversity 2023 in London, I was taken aback when I shared my personal definition of Anarchist practice, which I now commit to as my most fundamental value.
Self, not Ego
Many believe that in an anarchist society represses personal preferences and desires are suppressed, annihilating the individual within the societal context. However, I believe this claim to be highly inaccurate. In fact, both modern communism and anarchism place significant value on the identities of the individuals composing a society. The main contrast with our capitalistic society is the removal of egoistic and spiteful impulses that fuel an individual’s ego, thereby leaving room for the authentic flourishing of the self within the community, not in spite of it.
Comments