Anarchism and Its Aspirations

From nineteenth-century newspaper publishers to the participants in the “battle of Seattle” and the recent Greek uprising, anarchists have been inspired by the ideal of a free society of free individuals—a world without hierarchy or domination. But what exactly would that look like, and how can we get there? Anarchism and Its Aspirations provides an accessible overview of an often-misunderstood political philosophy, highlighting its principles and practices as well as its reconstructive vision of a liberatory society.

“One of the strongest speakers and writers in North American radical movements and anarchist networks, it’s about damn time that Cindy Milstein’s amazing thinking and writing is put together in a book. Simultaneously a participant in popular radical movement actions and articulating the theory behind the actions, she paints a clear-headed vision of the free and just world we’re fighting for. Uncompromising, practical, and hopeful, this book is essential reading for all who are taking on climate change, war, or corporate capitalism, and know that a better world is both possible and necessary!” —David Solnit, coauthor of The Battle of the Story of the “Battle of Seattle”

“I’ve often been asked by people for a book on anarchism that ‘gives them an idea,’ and I’ve often wondered what I could recommend that is all at once concise, profound, highly readable, and up to date. Cindy Milstein has now solved this problem. In these wonderful essays, she brings together anarchist history and current developments with ease, illustrating how the core values, ideas, and principles of anarchism remain the same while their expressions change according to times, places, and circumstances. You will find it hard to put down this book until you’re finished, and it will leave you longing for more intelligent and inspiring thoughts on how to make this world a better place for all of us. I expect Anarchism and Its Aspirations to become the introduction to anarchism of the next decade—and I certainly hope it will be!” —Gabriel Kuhn, editor of Gustav Landauer’s Revolution and Other Writings

“Milstein’s work is a clear and passionate account of the anarchism that lives beyond any particular organization, as an expression of humanity’s indestructible desire for a world free from hierarchies and all forms of domination. The book is also a road map to the many social and cultural movements that anarchism has traversed, from the Provos to radical ecology and Zapatismo, and a testimony to its continuing ability to capture the radical imagination. Above all, the book is a call to live the revolution now, making of our daily lives a prefiguration of the egalitarian and cooperative ethics that anarchism aspires to.” —Silvia Federici, author of Caliban and the Witch

“In a crazy world full of complexity, contradiction, and irony, it’s easy to lose your footing. If you are looking for a solid place to root your analysis, this is a fabulous place to land. Cindy Milstein’s book is thoughtful, energetic, and visionary, and will give you a ton to chew on. It is a brilliant primer of anarchist politics.” —Matt Hern, author of Common Ground in a Liquid City

“At a time when anarchism is no longer merely the most revolutionary political theory and praxis but also the only one left, it is even more important to rescue it from the dangers of potential fossilization. A century ago, another ‘dangerous woman,’ Emma Goldman, reminded us that anarchism should not be a theory of the future but rather a ‘living force in the affairs of our life, constantly creating new conditions.’ Goldman’s voice resonates strongly in this beautiful and inspirational book, which offers the much-needed hope that every individual—here and now—can change this world and create it anew.” —Žiga Vodovnik, author of Anarchy of Everyday Life