Anarchist communism

Anarchist Communism, also known as Anarcho-Communism, Communo-Anarchism or Libertarian Communism, is a political ideology related to Libertarian socialism.

Related Topics:
Political ideology - Libertarian socialism

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However, the terms Anarchist Communism and Libertarian Communism should not be considered synonyms for libertarian socialism. Anarchist Communism is a particular branch of libertarian socialism. It is also important to note that although the term Libertarian Communism is often used as a synom for Anarchist Communism, they are not necessarily the same ideology. While all Anarchist Communists are Libertarian Communists, not all Libertarian Communists are anarchists. For example, Council Communism is a form of Libertarian Communism, but not anarchism.

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Anarchist Communism was first formulated in the Italian section of the First International, by Carlo Cafiero, Errico Malatesta, Andrea Costa and other ex-Mazzinian Republicans. Out of respect for Mikhail Bakunin, they did not make their differences from Proudhon's individualist anarchism and mutualism explicit until after Bakunin's death. Where Proudhon supported individual ownership of the product of labor, wages, and an exchange market, the anarcho-communists broke from that philosophy in opposition to individual ownership of the produce of labor, the elimination of wages, and the abolition of exchange value. Cafeiro explains in Anarchie et Communisme that private property in the product of labor will lead to unequal accumulation of capital, and therefore undesirable class distinctions. Joseph Dejacque criticized Proudhon directly, asserting that "it is not the product of his or her labor that the worker has a right to, but to the satisfaction of his or her needs, whatever may be their nature." In 1876, at the Florence Conference of the Italian Federation of the International (which was actually held in a forest outside Florence, due to police activity), they declared the principles of Anarcho-Communism, beginning with:

Related Topics:
Italia - First International - Carlo Cafiero - Errico Malatesta - Andrea Costa - Mazzinian - Mikhail Bakunin - Proudhon - Individualist anarchism - Mutualism - Exchange value - Joseph Dejacque - 1876 - Florence - Police

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:"The Italian Federation considers the collective property of the products of labour as the necessary complement to the collectivist programme, the aid of all for the satisfaction of the needs of each being the only rule of production and consumption which corresponds to the principle of solidarity. The federal congress at Florence has eloquently demonstrated the opinion of the Italian International on this point..."

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The above report was actually made in an article by Malatesta and Cafiero in the (Swiss) Jura Federation's bulletin later that year.

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Anarchist Communism stresses egalitarianism, the abolition of money, and the introduction of the gift economy to facilitate the sharing of goods.

Related Topics:
Money - Gift economy

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In Anarchist Communism, profit no longer exists. Not only that, but goods are given away as gifts in the certainty that others will also give products back (in an industrial setting, this would occur between worker syndicates as well as between individuals). If one syndicate does not share their products, they will not receive resources from other syndicates, making it in their best interest to share.

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Anarchist Communism also advocates the abolition of work in the sense of wage slavery, and recommends worker self management to improve working conditions, increase efficiency, and make working enjoyable.

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