Anarchism, 1914-18: Internationalism, Anti-Militarism and War

Description

Anarchism 1914-18 is the first systematic analysis of anarchist responses to the First World War. It examines the interventionist debate between Peter Kropotkin and Errico Malatesta which split the anarchist movement in 1914 and provides a historical and conceptual analysis of debates conducted in European and American movements about class, nationalism, internationalism, militarism, pacifism and cultural resistance. Contributions discuss the justness of war, non-violence and pacifism, anti-colonialism, pro-feminist perspectives on war and the potency of myths about the war and revolution for the reframing of radical politics in the 1920s and beyond. Divisions about the war and the experience of being caught on the wrong side of the Bolshevik Revolution encouraged anarchists to reaffirm their deeply-held rejection of vanguard socialism and develop new strategies that drew on a plethora of anti-war activities. -- .

Matthew S. Adams is Lecturer in Politics, History and Communication at Loughborough University Ruth Kinna is Professor of Political Theory at Loughborough University -- .

'This book concurrently highlights the complexity and the significance of the anti-interventionists' values, ideas and practices. Stimulating and problematic themes emerge across contributions: anarchists' relation to "nation" and "state", the definition of "motherland", pragmatic and ideological answers to outbreaks of conflict (in the past, present and future), the role of art and aesthetics in the elaboration of trauma and in ideological developments....a valuable resource across disciplines.' Pietro di Paola, The University of Lincoln 'The flowering of anarchist studies in recent years shows no signs of abating and Anarchism, 1914-18 provides yet another treat. The product of two conference panels in 2014, its ten substantive chapters are penned by a good mixture of well-established and next generation researchers. Edited by two luminaries of Loughborough University's dynamic anarchist studies centre, it offers some rich and rewarding research on a period that, with recent centenary events, remains to some degree in the public eye.' Anarchist Studies -- .