Goldman, Orwell, and the Spanish Revolution: Where Anarchism and Communism Actually Collided
The historical reference points are solid: *My Disillusionment in Russia* and *Homage to Catalonia* are the go-to texts for understanding the USSR and Spanish Revolution conflicts.
The intellectual sparring covers basic definitions: some users argue anarchism is inherently communism, while others draw hard lines. Cowbee splits them, citing anarchism’s 'communalization' versus Marxism’s need for 'collectivization' via a state. Critics also dispute the legitimacy of post-revolution states like the USSR, arguing they always retained ruling class structures, as southerntofu insists. Meanwhile, some insist Lenin provided a more concrete tool for capitalism than Marx himself (RedWizard).
The divide centers on state necessity. One side accepts the 'dictatorship of the proletariat' necessity, while others, like southerntofu, demand constant self-criticism regarding any state power. The Zapatistas are cited as an anomaly—a functional model built by separating militias and communes, skirting both strict Marxist and pure anarchist models.
Key Points
Anarchism emphasizes horizontal 'communalization' while Marxism demands state-backed 'collectivization'.
Cowbee laid out this theoretical split, distinguishing the core mechanisms of the two ideologies.
State socialist regimes like the USSR failed to escape ruling class control.
southerntofu stated that critiques labelling these states merely 'socialist' are insufficient; self-criticism is necessary.
Lenin's writings offer more practical anti-capitalist prescriptions than Marx's.
RedWizard argued that Lenin provided a more concrete blueprint for combating capitalism.
The Zapatistas offer a political model that resists strict anarchist or communist definitions.
southerntofu used the Zapatistas to exemplify a functional anti-authoritarian structure based on separated power.
Understanding the state's role requires contrasting works by Bakunin with Lenin's *State and Revolution*.
dandelion suggested using classic anarchists alongside Lenin to map the differing approaches to state authority.
Source Discussions (7)
This report was synthesized from the following Lemmy discussions, ranked by community score.