https://www.partage-le.com/2015/02/02/etes-vous-un-anarchiste-la-reponse-pourrai... ( )

Very interesting book about anarchism as a basis from which to approach possible different ways of setting up society. ( )

One of the most inspiring anthropologists makes a case for what anthropology and anarchism could learn for each other. Not only that but this book is also a small pladoyer for what role anthropologists should play in this current world and where the discipline could be helpful. A great read, easy to understand language and I'd say a must-read for everyone in anthropology. ( )

"This is not just to say that anarchism is not interested in advanced theory, but that it is most concerned with the form of practice. It insists that in any case, the purpose and method must correspond, just as individual freedom should not be obtained in an authoritarian way, but rather The individual should try to realize his ideal society through the relationship of friends and peers. This does not correspond to the reality in the university. The university, except probably the Catholic Church and the British monarchy, has maintained the same model since the Middle Ages. organization. Scholars held seminars in expensive hotels, thinking they would perpetuate the revolution.”
——Anarchist Anthropological Fragments: From Anarchism to Anthropology

At the start of the book, Graeber discusses the differences between anarchism and Marxism as liberatory philosophies, a worthy and interesting topic. He is insightful, bringing to light the tendency of Marxists to name their sects after the people who wrote them (amusingly the list evolves from state leaders to academics), and the tendency to name anarchist sects by the manner in which the sect organizes. Then he spends a good deal of the book defining sets of theories, papers, and books that he would like to see written. Well, ya, I'd like to see those too. wtf?

The third part of the book, concentrating on the debunking of the Orientalist myth of the Western world vs. barbarians who don't know any better. Rather than dictate what shoud be done as a Marxist might, Graeber analyzes, in a brilliant way, what humans already do, and highlights their anarchist tendencies by reframing them as such. He then points out that the anarchist inspired new-internationalist "anti-globalization" movement is drawing upon these traditions of "true" democracy.

Finally, he makes a good argument that anthropologists are very qualified (as people who have studied a diverse range of ways of living that even the most well educated philosophy academic could barely imagine) to make radical assertions and participate in the creation of a world that allows many worlds. He makes the point that in anthropology one uses a vocabulary taken from all parts of the globe: mana, taboo, totem. Philosophy, political science, economics, tend only to use the vocabulary that stems from the Western experience: Greek, Latin, or German.

Graeber is refreshing and thoughtful. His words are encouraging and affirming. What a shame that he won't be around in the states for a while. I truly enjoyed reading this book, even online, where I normally can't get through more than three pages without being distracted by the other treats of the internet.

available online here (PDF):
http://www.prickly-paradigm.com/paradigm14.pdf ( )