Anarcho-syndicalism is one of the most common left movements in the world. In the form in which it is now, it arose more than a hundred years ago. Moreover, 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 to street protests of youth. Many prominent philosophers of the first half of the twentieth century shared anarchist beliefs and actively contributed to their promotion to the masses.
Anarcho-syndicalism is still popular among young people. The symbolism of this movement often appears in demonstrations and strikes.
Origin in Russia
Anarcho-syndicalism arose at the beginning of the twentieth century. At that time, various left movements were extremely popular in Europe. In the circles of the intelligentsia, the proceedings of popular philosophers of that time were endlessly debated. One of the first prominent anarchists was Mikhail Bakunin.
He interpreted earlier ideas of federalism in his own way. Radicalizing them, he came to anarchism. His first works made a splash in France and Germany. Brochures began to be printed with a summary of his ideas. The first anarchists were very different from modern ones. They considered the cornerstone of their activity to be the unification of all workers into communes or syndicates (hence the name).
Interethnic conflicts were not yet so acute. However, Bakunin and his supporters believed that building a free society, without oppressors and oppressed, is possible on the basis of ethnic self-identification. Michael himself was in the position of pan-Slavism - the idea of uniting all the Slavs. He believed that European culture invariably steps on Slavic life, trying to assimilate it. His ideas appealed to many representatives of Polish emigration.
Roger Rocker
Another prominent theorist of the twentieth century is R. Rocker. Anarcho-syndicalism, in his understanding, was somewhat different from the "classical" one. 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. His efforts managed to create several trade union organizations that played an important role in the revolutionary events after the First World War. In the early twenties, leftist movements around the world were stronger than ever. A revolution took place in Russia, which, of course, inspired all its supporters around the world. On the expanses of the former empires, new states were created. Under these conditions, Roque managed to unite several socialist groups. Thousands of supporters of anarcho-syndicalism have appeared in the Weimar Republic . However, with the advent of the National Socialists, anarchists and other representatives of radical leftist movements began to be persecuted.
After Hitler was proclaimed Hitler, Rocker fled to America, where he died in 1958, leaving a great legacy to his contemporaries.
Basic principles
Anarcho-syndicalism is an extreme left-wing 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. This also implies the denial of ethnic division into peoples. A new society must be built on the basis of exclusively self-organizing workers around the world. The hierarchical structure must be completely denied. Anarchists should not be involved in any public affairs. All political activity proceeds exclusively in revolutionary activity. Merging with the state apparatus is fraught with the seizure of the initiative by the oppressors.
Methods of struggle
Anarcho-syndicalism involves local organization. Worker syndicates should be based on the principles of mutual assistance and understanding. This cohesion is necessary for the struggle for their rights. So-called direct-action stocks were considered as methods.
These are strikes, strikes, street protests and so on. After the decision to start the action, all workers are obliged to support it. Such actions are called to rally the commune and lay the foundation for a further revolution. The popular revolution for the sake of establishing a just society is the ultimate goal of the anarcho-syndicalists.
Collective organization
All decisions that affect everyday life must be taken by a common vote within the framework of labor 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 these unions is also denied. Any cooperation with the state apparatus is prohibited. In times of greatest influence, anarchists never participated in elections or compromised with the government. Each strike ended only after the management of the enterprises accepted the required changes. Moreover, the workers themselves did not limit themselves to any obligations and could resume the protest at any time.
Community Organization
Communes had to be organized exclusively on a horizontal basis. At the same time, any chapters and elites were denied.
People had to independently build their own life within the framework of their union, taking into account the opinion of as many participants as possible. Unions could cooperate among themselves, but on the principles of equality. Community attachment to a state or ethnic group was rejected. According to prominent theorists, the formation of syndicates on the principle of
permanent revolution was to lead to the creation of a world union.
Private property
Syndicalists believe that the root of the problems of modern society is private property. In their opinion, the division of society into classes occurred precisely after the appearance of the first private property (in the means of production). The unfair distribution of resources has led everyone to compete with other members of society. And the more the capitalist model of relations develops, the more this principle of interaction is rooted in the minds of people. From this follows the attitude to the state as an exclusively punitive body, all the enforcement mechanisms of which act 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 masses for their rights through direct action, denying cooperation with the oppressors, in order to build a just society. Next, let's talk about how it was in Russia.
Anarcho-Syndicalism in Russia
In Russia, the first anarcho-syndicalists appeared in the early twentieth century. The movement arose mainly among the progressive intelligentsia and took an example from the Decembrists.
Under the influence of theorists, mainly Bakunin, the anarchists began to draw closer to the workers and organize the first unions. They got the name "populist." Initially, the range of political views of the Narodniks was very different. However, a radical rebel wing under the leadership of Bakunin soon emerged. Their goal was a popular uprising. According to the then anarcho-syndicalists, after the uprising and revolution, the state will be destroyed, and in its place various federations and communes of workers will emerge, which will become the basis of a new society. Similar ideas were disputed by the Communists. They called them too utopian. The basis of criticism was the assumption that even in the event of the destruction of one capitalist state, it would not be possible to establish popular power, since neighboring states would immediately take advantage of the situation.
Modernity
There is modern anarcho-syndicalism. Its flag is red-black, while both fields are at an angle.
Red is a reference to socialism, and black is anarchy. Modern syndicalists are very different from their predecessors. If in the twentieth century anarchist unions totaled millions of members, now they have become marginalized youth groups. In Europe, there has been an increase in the popularity of leftist ideas. However, instead of fighting against class inequality, the new anarcho-syndicalists give priority to the fight against various types of discrimination. Sometimes the reasons for protests are completely absurd, so in society anarcho-syndicalism is no longer supported massively. The definition of this ideology, given more than a hundred years ago, is interpreted differently today, because of which, even among the anarchists themselves, there is no unity. Therefore, the movement does not enjoy the support of the people.
The most famous stocks
For over a hundred years, anarchists have been actively involved in various political processes of historical significance. In the twenties, they played a serious role in establishing the Weimar Republic, as well as in changing regimes in other countries. Regular strikes often escalated into nation-wide riots. As follows from many sources, in France alone, more than a million people supported anarcho-syndicalism. What is this, they could not answer unequivocally, since mainly these people belonged to the poor. But they managed to bring a lot of problems to the government. In the 30s, thousands of anarchists went to Spain to participate in the civil war.