Social Anarchism - Softcover

Baldelli, Giovanni

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0202241041 ISBN 13: 9780202241043

Publisher: De Gruyter, 1971

Synopsis

This volume, originally published in 1972, remains a major contribution to anarchist literature. It is one man's vision of an anarchist society based on ethical values-without laws, without political authority, and without concentrations of power. An active anarchist since youth and a contributor to anarchist journals for many years, Giovanni Baldelli lived anarchism from within the anarchist movement and the ethical community that the movement aspires to be. In this book he clearly sets forth the anarchist's alternatives to government- viable principles of organization for an ethical society.

The revival of anarchist movements is here viewed as stemming from extreme centralization of governmental authority and stringent political collectivism-communist or democratic-that is incompatible with personal freedom, economic justice, ethical society, and possibly with continued human existence. Baldelli also shows how anarchist movements, aimed at the abolition of government and the initiation of a reign of freedom and voluntary cooperation, have seriously threatened institutions of government, violence, oppression, and exploitation throughout the world.

Social Anarchism is one anarchist's outlook. While offering solutions to difficulties in traditional anarchist thought, Baldelli differs from many other anarchists on certain issues-especially with regard to economic theory. For him, the exploitation of ethical capital is far more relevant to anarchism than the exploitation of labor. He also advances a new theory of value, reexamines the concept of authority and contrasts it with that of power, and provides answers to the question of how to oppose power effectively without perpetuating it. Throughout the book, Baldelli underscores his contention that many paths can lead to an anarchist society and that the respect of those who choose one way versus those who choose another is already anarchism put into practice.

About this title

About the Author:

Giovanni Baldelli, (1914-1986) one of the most famous anarchist theorists of our time, taught languages at St. Olave’s Grammar School in Orpington, England. In his early youth he became actively involved in underground work against the Fascist regime. He presided over the International Anarchist Congress in London and once acted as the Secretary of the Inter national Anarchist Commission. He is also the author of Seven Fugues.

About this edition

• Publisher: De Gruyter
• Publication date: 1971
• ISBN 10: 0202241041
• ISBN 13: 9780202241043
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 191