Critical support and Tremblay on anti-electoralism
Great little piece on non-voting — Francois Tremblay: Reject the ‘Anarchist’ Voters
“However, what is one to make of this new wave of pro-voting “Anarchists”? Now that a rich, white, male, ruling class politician (Ron Paul) presents himself nicely, and is able to utter some true statements, our so-called friends trip over each other to support him the most, and profess to get ready to vote for him!”
I see this as largely compatible with what I was saying here and here about what I’m calling critical support. It never includes voting in state elections. We must always internalize and promote among ourselves as anarchists (and generally) the understanding that authentic revolution does not include taking state power, but abstention from acquiring and using it. Ultimately, true market anarchists are engaged not in political activism as conventionally understood, but market development for emergent non-governmental systems of polycentric law and security.
Support free speech, open discussion, truth, peace and freedom. On the rare occasions when that happens to partially coincide with what a political campaign also happens to be saying, well, there’s critical support. Attack the false, the tyrannical and the evil, regardless of where it may be — and especially in political campaigns. That’s critical support. If you believe a war, genocide or wholesale persecution currently in progress can only be brought to an end by a particular candidate winning over another — focus on trashing the pro-war candidate(s) more. That’s critical support.
See also — Wally Conger: Clarifying the term “antipolitics”
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Oh geeze. Last time I was here I left you a nasty note and promised never to come back, and now someone told me you praised one of my articles. And so you did!
I’ll stop being an ass and start reading your blog again.
PS the next MA Carnival is in 5 days, remember to submit something!
Oh, that’s okay. You mostly just missed a bunch of stuff that probably would’ve pissed you off anyway. :)
But seriously — when you have an objection, hear me out and give us both a chance to change our minds (in case the other guy turns out to be right and we can then recognize that).
I’m not THAT easy to piss off. I just have a grudge against the expression “wage slave.” I’d rather you stop using it.
[...] else Tremblay and I might disagree on occasionally, he has recently been on a roll in his championing of the anti-political approach of anarchism. Let’s all give him a little [...]