By: Derek Polzer, Advisory Board Member
When we hear the word anarchy or anarchism, we tend to associate it with violence, chaos, or disorder most often used in a political context. Too often anarchism is mistaken for nihilism! I’d like to suggest that Anarchism is neither “Right nor Left”, as understood in our current political paradigm. I’d like to propose that anarchism has nothing to do with politics & that anarchism is about relationships whether they are with other individuals or the larger community including the entire biotic community.
I’m not going to go into the political history of anarchist philosophy, but I prefer to focus on the interpersonal nature of what I call apolitical anarchism & its broader possibilities.
The two fundamental principles of apolitical anarchism are voluntary association, the absence of coercion or intimidation by an institution or individual on another individual, & the practice of mutual aid, help or assistance in whatever that might be given in times of crisis or need without reliance on governmental or institutional assistance. There were many neighborhood Mutual-Aid Societies that spontaneously formed during the early days of the COVID pandemic, helping people who were isolated or in need. Anarchism calls this “direct action. Acting individually or in small groups doing what needs to get done!
Apolitical Anarchism respects the sovereignty & the rights of the individual & understands the reciprocal nature of all relationships, seeking the balance between the needs of the individual & the needs of the larger community including the rights of non-humans! It’s what I call civic responsibility.
The term anarchism only came into popular usage during the 19th century. It is because of these ideas that I have come to better understand what Jesus said, “love your neighbor as yourself!” It has led me to believe that every individual has two responsibilities in this life. First, to self-actualize, become the authentic person, they are meant to be, & second, as a result of this self-actualization we are morally bound to use what we have learned in the service of others while maintaining a balance between the two. Nothing more, nothing less!
I see the life & teachings of Jesus in this light. He acted directly, feeding & healing people in need, & imploring his followers to do the same! Christ brought with Him a new way of being in the World. I do not believe he meant to build another huge, bureaucratic institution that controlled & restricted people’s lives like those that prevailed in His time as they do in ours (sadly, in His name). It is why I think of Christ as the perfect example of an anarchist! People like Dorothy Day & the Catholic Worker Movement have acted on these principles, as did the 4th century Christian Desert Fathers & Mother, &, to some degree, George Fox, founder of Quakerism, & so many others!
My understanding & personal experience of anarchism has allowed me to be guided by my conscience & to discern for myself what would be the appropriate action in any situation.
After years of living on this planet, I have taken these principles of Mutual Aid, Voluntary Association, & direct Action to heart doing my best to live from that place.
Long live anarchism, & long live self-governance for all Beings on this Planet!
With AN APPEAL TO EARTH 🌲
…paddling ever onward! Derek Polzer
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