Anarcho-syndicalism: definition, symbolism. Anarcho-syndicalism in Russia

Anarcho-syndicalism is one of the most widespread leftist movements in the world. In the form in which it is now, it arose more than a hundred years ago. In this movement has many supporters around the world. Their political activities take place in a variety of fields. The spectrum of political activity is very wide: starting from representatives in the European Parliament, ending with street protests of young people. Many prominent philosophers of the first half of the twentieth century shared anarchic beliefs and actively promoted their advancement to the masses. Anarcho-syndicalism is popular among young people. The symbolism of this movement often appears in demonstrations and strikes.

Origin in Russia

Anarcho-syndicalism arose in the early twentieth century. At that time in Europe, various leftist movements were extremely popular. In the circles of the intelligentsia, there were endless analyzes of the works of popular philosophers of the time. One of the first prominent anarchists was Mikhail Bakunin. He interpreted in his own way the earlier ideas of federalism. Radicalizing them, he came to anarchism. His first works made a real sensation in France and Germany. Brochures were printed with a brief account of his ideas. The first anarchists were very different from modern ones. The cornerstone of their activities, they believed the union of all workers in communes or syndicates (hence the name). Interethnic conflicts were not yet so acute. However, Bakunin and his supporters believed that it is possible to build a free society, without oppressors and oppressed, on the basis of ethnic self-identification. Mikhail himself stood on the positions of pan-Slavism - the idea of uniting all the Slavs. He believed that European culture invariably comes to the Slavic way of life, trying to assimilate it. His ideas appealed to many representatives of the 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 succeeded in creating several trade union organizations, which played an important role in the revolutionary events after the First World War. In the early twenties, left movements around the world were stronger than ever. There was a revolution in Russia, which, of course, inspired all of 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. In the Weimar Republic , thousands of supporters of anarcho-syndicalism appeared. However, with the coming to power of the National Socialists, anarchists and other representatives of radical leftist trends began to be persecuted. After the proclamation of Hitler by the Fuhrer, Roker fled to America, where he died in 1958, leaving a great legacy to his contemporaries.

Basic principles

Anarcho-syndicalism is an extreme left movement. Despite the 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. From here follows also the denial of ethnic division into peoples. A new society must be built on the basis of the exclusively self-organization of workers around the world. The hierarchical structure must be completely denied. Anarchists should not participate in any state affairs. All political activity proceeds exclusively in revolutionary activity. Splicing with the state apparatus is fraught with the interception of the initiative by the oppressors.

Methods of struggle

Anarcho-syndicalism involves organizations on the ground. Workers' syndicates must be based on the principles of mutual assistance and understanding. This cohesion is necessary to fight for their rights. The so-called direct action shares were considered as methods. These are strikes, strikes, street protests and so on. After making a decision to start the action, all workers must support it. Such actions are designed to rally the commune and lay the foundation for further revolution. The nation-wide 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 made by a general vote within the framework of the working 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 membership. Also, any political activity outside these unions is denied. Any cooperation with the state apparatus is prohibited. In times of greatest influence, anarchists never participated in elections and did not compromise with the government. Each strike ended only after the management of the enterprises required changes. At the same time, the workers themselves did not limit themselves to any obligations and could resume the protest at any time.

Organization of communes

The communes were to be organized exclusively on a horizontal basis. At the same time, any heads and elites were denied. People had to build their own life independently within the framework of their union at their own discretion, taking into account the opinion of as many participants as possible. The unions could cooperate with each other, but on the principles of equality. The linkage of the community to the 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

The root of the problem of modern society syndicalists consider private property. In their opinion, the division of society into classes occurred precisely after the appearance of the first private property (the means of production). Unjust distribution of resources has led to the fact that each person began to compete with other members of society. And the more the capitalist model of relations develops, the more this principle of interaction takes root in people's minds. From here follows the relation to the state as to exclusively punitive body, all mechanisms of coercion of which act in the interests of a small group of persons. 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 broad masses for their rights through direct action, denying cooperation with the oppressors, for the sake of building a just society. Next, let's talk about how it was in Russia.

Anarcho-syndicalism in Russia

In Russia, the first anarcho-syndicalists appeared at the beginning of the twentieth century. The movement arose predominantly among the progressive intelligentsia and took the example from the Decembrists. Under the influence of theorists, mostly Bakunin, anarchists began to draw closer to the workers and organize the first unions. They were called "populist". Initially, the spectrum of political views of the Narodniks varied greatly. However, the radical wing of the rebels, led by Bakunin, soon emerged. Their goal they put a nationwide uprising. In the opinion of the then anarcho-syndicalists, after the uprising and revolution the state will be destroyed, and in its place there will be various federations and workers' communes, which will become the basis of a new order society. Such 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 people's power, as neighboring states would immediately take advantage of the situation.

Modernity

There is also modern anarcho-syndicalism. The flag is red-black, while both fields are at an angle. Red color is a reference to socialism, and black is to anarchy. Modern syndicalists are very different from their predecessors. If in the twentieth century anarchist unions numbered millions of members, now they have become marginalized groups of young people. In Europe there is a growing popularity of leftist ideas. However, instead of fighting against class inequality, the new anarcho-syndicalists put the fight against various types of discrimination as a priority. Sometimes the reasons for the protests are completely absurd, therefore, mass anarcho-syndicalism is no longer supported in society. 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 shares

Anarchists have been actively involved in various political processes of historical significance for over a hundred years. In the twenties, they played a major role in establishing the Weimar Republic, as well as in changing the regimes in other countries. Regular strikes often turned into nationwide riots. As follows from many sources, in France alone, more than a million people supported anarcho-syndicalism. What they are, they could not unequivocally answer, because mostly these people belonged to the poorer layers of society. But they managed to deliver a lot of problems to the government. In the thirties, thousands of anarchists went to Spain to participate in the civil war.