The dictum that anarchy is the mother of order is attributed to the theoretician of revolution and anarchism Pierre Joseph Proudhon. Although anarchy has long been considered an ideological system that cannot be implemented, throughout history, people have constantly tried to build an anarchist community. After all, the postulates of anarchism are so tempting: a person can live and develop normally only in a system that is not based on state power. In our review, we will focus on people's attempts to build an anarchist society.
1. Revolutionary Catalonia
Revolutionary Catalonia: anarchy lasting 2 years
As a result of the Spanish coup in July 1936, when the Nazis tried to gain control of Spain, an anarchist party in Catalonia called the CNT-FAI or the Federation of Anarchists of Iberia (the far-right wing of the National Confederation of Labor) led a popular uprising by organizing militias against the Nationalist forces.
In total, the forces of these militias consisted of 18,000 workers (including George Orwell, who fought for the Catalans). They managed to defeat the nationalist forces and achieve the independence of Catalonia. Although the organization was subsequently criticized for joining the national government, it did much to increase the chances of winning the war against the dictatorship in Spain.
CNT-FAI also managed to achieve a number of reforms, namely the collectivization of land and resources. The government was also able to encourage voluntary collectivization. The factories were "confiscated and controlled by committees of elected workers." Ultimately, the anarchist government fell in 1938.
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2. Paris commune
The Paris Commune - the first ever example of worker power
The Paris Commune emerged in 1871 as a reaction to the Franco-Prussian war and is often considered the first example of a working class takeover of power. The National Guard of Paris, which was cut off from the army, was supported by the townspeople, and free elections were held to determine who would rule the city. The commune has implemented some anarchist policies such as converting businesses into workers' cooperatives. On May 8, the French government finally defeated the commune and restored its rule over the city.
3. Free territory
Free territory - anarchy of Nestor Makhno
From 1918 to 1921, the Free Territory was an anarchist state created in Ukraine by Nestor Makhno. The Free Territory is considered one of the few states based exclusively on anarchist ideology, which clearly corresponds to its flag, on which was written "Death to all who stand in the way of gaining freedom for workers."
With an army of 100,000 people, Makhno captured the southeastern part of Ukraine, where 7 million people lived. His anarchist society was structured through the creation of workers 'and peasants' councils, whose members voted on important issues. Makhno also opposed centralized government of any kind. Eventually, the Red Army invaded Free Territory and was able to defeat Makhno's army in 1921.
4. Free city of Christiania
Free city Christiania - modern anarchist community
Created in 1971, the Free City of Christiania is one of the few anarchist communities that is still active today. It is also noteworthy that it has managed to remain autonomous for over 40 years. The city was founded by hippie settlers in Copenhagen, Denmark, in an abandoned military barracks. Soon, hippies declared Christiania a free city, whose residents are not required to pay taxes and can openly sell and buy marijuana.
Private property is prohibited in the community (for example, residents of the autonomy cannot own private cars). At the same time, the anarchist community has a number of laws designed to exclude violence and crime. In 2012, the government agreed to sell its land to the community.
5. Twin Oaks commune
Commune twin oaks
In 1967, a small group of communitarians decided to build a society based on the values of egalitarianism and environmental sustainability. Based on 160 hectares of acres in Virginia, the community lives off gardening and agriculture, as well as the production of hammocks, which are then sold. All bicycles, cars, computers and recreational items purchased by the community are not owned by any particular person, but by the entire community and are available for public use.
6. Strandja commune
Bulgarian commune Strandzha
The Strandzha commune in Bulgaria was an anarchist society that was proclaimed on 18 August 1903 by Mikhail Gerdzhikov, the commander of the Internal Macedonian-Odrin Revolutionary Organization. Gerdjikov's army, which numbered only 2,000, managed to establish a provisional government in the Strandzha mountains after confronting the Turkish opposition of 10,500 soldiers.
In a commune, a communitarian system was established where resources were distributed evenly according to need. The short-lived commune was defeated by Ottoman forces just one month later, on September 8, 1903.
7. Shinming Autonomous Region
Shinming Autonomous Region
In 1924, the Korean Communist Anarchist Federation (KACF) began to promote the active creation of anarchist trade unions and the development of anti-imperialist sentiments in China. Five years later, the KACF declared Shingming Province independent from China and immediately tried to establish a decentralized form of control within the area. As in other anarchist societies, the KACF has established a loose association of local councils in provinces, districts and villages. Although these councils made independent decisions about their territories, they cooperated with each other on important issues such as agriculture, finance, and education. However, due to attempts by Imperial Japan to conquer the region, the region's autonomy was abolished in 1931.
8. Syrian Kurdistan
Autonomous Region of Syrian Kurdistan
Although not technically an anarchist society, Syrian Kurdistan (aka the Federation of Northern Syria) is a de facto autonomous zone that has the right to self-government, independent of the official Syrian government. Although the official political system of Syrian Kurdistan, which declared autonomy in November 2013, is described as libertarian socialism, the state is also influenced by anarchist principles.
Syrian Kurdistan adopted its ideals from the Vermont philosopher Murray Bookchin, who argued that ideally the nation-state should take the form of "libertarian municipalism." Basically, it means gatherings of people who vote when necessary to solve any problems at the local level.
9. Zomy
Zomia - the state invented by Willem van Schendel
Stretching from the Vietnamese highlands to the Tibetan plateau in Afghanistan, Zomia is a geographic region of 100 million, whose name was coined by Dutch explorer Willem van Schendel in 2002. Zomia is considered by some political scientists as an example of the rejection of the modern state and the current anarchist society. In this region of the world, states such as China and Vietnam do not have control over these "hard-to-reach" areas, as a result, they are largely self-governing.
10. Bir Tawil
Disputed territory of Bir Tawil
Although technically not a state or a society, Bir Tawil is one of the few areas in the world that no state claims to be. Therefore, this is a territory that does not belong to anyone, without laws and without government. This anomaly happened when the British signed an agreement with the Egyptians that the new British colony of Sudan would have a border with Egypt along the 22nd parallel. At the same time, in 1902, Britain drew a new "administrative boundary", according to which Bir-Tawil (whose area is 2060 km²), remained a disputed territory. Perhaps this place would be ideal for anarchists who could try to implement their ideas without having to provoke a legitimate government.
The socialist idea turned out to be more viable than the ideas of the anarchists. In any case, the world's largest socialist state occupied 1/6 of the land and existed for 70 years.
