An Anarchist's Manifesto

Anarchism is commonly viewed as an outdated and wholly impractical idea. Worse, it has an accursed reputation for advocating chaos, violence, and destruction. The aim of An Anarchist’s Manifesto is to convince readers of the exact opposite: that anarchism is the most adaptive, humane, intelligent, singly inclusive proposal that we, as social animals, have ever envisioned. In the bracing tradition of the manifesto, Glenn Wallis “makes public” the values informing the anarchist way of life—order, equality, mutual support, and a vitalizing rejection of authoritarianism, oppression, and exploitation. Offering examples of anarchism in action that are sure to surprise, this startling book inspires even the most skeptical readers to experiment with these values in practical ways. Along the way, it offers a succinct account of anarchism’s historical blights of violence and quixotic utopianism.An Anarchist’s Manifesto cogently promotes and presents a transformative approach to living in harmony with others.Praise for An Anarchist's Manifesto“A manifesto in the best tradition of Emma Goldman and Colin Ward. If you are not an anarchist (yet?)—this book is for you.” —Uri Gordon, author of Anarchy, State and Revolution and Anarchy Alive!“An Anarchist’s Manifesto is a perfect introduction and reframing of a much-maligned and misunderstood idea. Glenn Wallis’s timely and beautifully written book is full of insight, warmth—and hope.”—Stuart Smithers, Chair of Religious Studies at University of Puget Sound, contributing editor at Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, and editor of Black Box: A Record of the Catastrophe“This lucid and incisive manifesto—in the full force of the term—provides a clear articulation of anarchism: what it is, what it is not, and why it is our best chance at reclaiming our world from the ravages of capitalism, exploitation, and authoritarianism. Glenn Wallis’s An Anarchist’s Manifesto is unflinchingly committed to an anarchist worldview, a worldview in which anarchism as what Wallis calls a 'certain way of being' engenders mutually aiding relations between people. Refusing hierarchy, oppression, coercion, and exploitation, An Anarchist’s Manifesto is concerned, first and foremost, with acting on and changing the world. This is not starry-eyed utopianism; this is anarchism, the way to a more just world.”—Marquis Bey, African American studies and English professor, Northwestern University “Glenn Wallis's anarchist manifesto is a gentle, undogmatic exploration of anarchist practice. It explains how an anarchist articulation of shared values can transform failing democratic institutions and unjust systems of organization. This is not a conventional manifesto: there is no elaborate policy program or list of empty promises. It calls for the recovery of an anarchist sensibility as the bulwark against relentless capitalist exploitation and corrupt, lawless government.”—Ruth Kinna, member of the Anarchism Research Group at Loughborough University UK, former co-convenor of the Anarchist Studies Network and co-editor of the journal Anarchist Studies“Glenn Wallis’s Manifesto presents a powerful, eloquent, and eminently practical case for anarchism. This is a book that one could very usefully pass on to a neighbor, if that neighbor is inspired by values like love, respect, care, mutual aid, sharing, equality, and freedom. The book will win over many through its simple and profound message that ‘anarchy’ is in no way alien to ordinary people, but is, rather, something that we find in the most admirable ideals and practices all around us.”—John Clark, author of The Impossible Community and Between Earth and Empire Read more