Bakunin: Statism and Anarchy (Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought)

Rating:
Summary: Elegant writing on an often misunderstood subject
Review: Michael Bakunin was born landed Russian nobility but he gave all that up to fight for a more just social order. This book is a fascinating read for any student of Politcal Science or Sociology. As Marx's arch rival at the International Working Man's Association Bakunin believed that revolution would come from the rabble of society not the well organized industrual workers as Marx beleived. This book takes you to exile in Siberia to the politically charged streets of Paris. One of the best books I have ever read.

Rating:
Summary: Elegant writing on an often misunderstood subject
Review: Michael Bakunin was born landed Russian nobility but he gave all that up to fight for a more just social order. This book is a fascinating read for any student of Politcal Science or Sociology. As Marx's arch rival at the International Working Man's Association Bakunin believed that revolution would come from the rabble of society not the well organized industrual workers as Marx beleived. This book takes you to exile in Siberia to the politically charged streets of Paris. One of the best books I have ever read.

Rating:
Summary: Not so much on Anarchism as the history of mid-19th Europe.
Review: The work is basically four separate ideas together. The first half of concerning the state of Europe in 1873. The four main movements he sees is the rise of the "Pan-German Empire", the demise of the French state, the growth of Slavic nationalism, and the growth of the universal proletariat. After the defeat of France at the hands of Prussia, destroyed any appearances of French power. Amusingly, he uses several phrases that "French bashers" of today would love, most importantly that the French have lost the will to fight others and therefore France is in decline. His next major issue is the growth of Slavic nationalism. He was upset with the calls for a all encompassing Slavic states, believing that it would be forced to come under the control of the Tsar. He points to the example of Poland, where Russians helped the Prussians slaughter their "Polish brothers". He contends that the Tsar cares nothing about the Slavs, but rather only cares about the furthering of his own power. He also questions if Russia is strong enough to fight against Germany for control of Eastern Europe. In a humorous (and one that would be actually seen during World War I) comment, he asks, if Russia doesn't have enough guns now, how could it arm the millions more need against a German army? He asks, would they arm them with sticks??? He saw that Germany had already defeated Russia by taking control of the Baltic Ocean, thus forcing Russia to expand into the present day "-stans" of Central Asia, to pressure the British to stop supporting the Ottoman Turks against them. Therefore he contends that the Slavs should not look for any state to free them, but should trust in "social revolution". He then moves on to, what he saw as the biggest threat to Europe, the new "Pan-German Empire". His fears on some points seem irrationals (such as saying that Germans are naturally statist, and love to be ruled), but the nationalism of which he warns is quite similar to the Nazi rise. Another "disturbing" point is his anti-semantic comments throughout the book. He often speaks that the man must believe something because he is a Jew, and therefore greedy by nature, for example. The last part is devoted to his attacks on Marx (you can tell why Marx had him kicked out of the Internationale). He views Marx as a power hungry statist, whom rather than "free the workers" wishs to install himself as the new ruling elite (sounds familiar? aka Lenin, Stalin). However, why this is, Bakunin says, is because he is a German and a Jew, and therefore desires a strong state. He says that, in fact, the Marxist HATE popular revolutions because the destroy state power, and leads to the freedom of the workers, not there new slavery, as Marx wants. Since Marxist are nearly all, bugeiosis, they hate the workers because they wish to increase their power. Marxists make no self sacrifices, rather asking the workers to do it. He contends this is why Marxist attack religion so strongly. The are so sure God doesn't exist, they don't have to fear "his wrath". This is why they will never attack the state, because the state has police and armies. Bakunin then gives a short view on his view of Anarchism. He contends that only through a universal social revolution, can the workers become free. Revolutionaries should not "tell" the people what to think, but help them understand that Anarchism is a genetic, universal human principle that we all posses, even the "dumbest". All of us desire to be free from the "chains of the state".
Although, this is not what I thought it would be, it actually reads like a history book for most of it. Although, it is not a good book, by which to understand Anarchist theory, it does provide a "unique" set of events that has influenced nearly everything that has happened in the 20th century.

Rating:
Summary: Inspiring
Review: You who are viewing this page should congratulate yourself for being willing enough to explore what Anarchism is all about. I commend you once again but reward yourself by obtaining this book. Any of Bakunin's writings are well worth it, it is a travesty that Anarchism has been dismissed awaken yourself to the possiblity and don't be afraid to ask why not.