anarchists only. please.?

[Shranarchist]

Anarchism has probably been with humanity since the origin of the state. Anarchist thinking can be found in the works of ancient Greeks.

The origin of modern anarchism arguably starts with the libertarian writings of William Godwin, especially his "Enquiry Concerning Political Justice." While I enjoyed that work, and consider Godwin an anarchist, the term "anarchism" for the political theory of stateless social organization originates with Pierre Joseph Proudhon. Proudhon was a mutualist - a form of socialism that allowed for free markets, but advocated land ownership based on use and occupation, and put forward a plan for cooperative community banking that would make credit easily available and nearly interest free (requiring only the cost of administration). A third anarchist thinker emerged around this time; arguably, the founder of modern individualist, "philosophical anarchism" (anarchism that doesn't necessarily advocate any revolutionary or 'political' program, but wherein the anarchist does not recognize the authority of the state) -- Max Stirner. Stirner's work, "The Ego and Its Own," has been much maligned for its extreme individualism, and is often accused of nihilism. Personally, I think the key to appreciating Stirner is to understand the work as an abstract argument, not as a literal program for how to live one's life.

The early anarchists were friendly to the more radical libertarian elements of the socialist and communist movements. There was much ideological cross-contamination, and the character of most anarchism (then and now) became socialist - libertarian socialism, anarcho-communism, anarcho-syndicalism, and the rest of the anarchist "left" originates from this time. Notable figures include Mikhail Bakunin and Peter Kropotkin. Karl Marx and the anarchists initially worked together. Anarchists were a part of the First International. After falling out with Proudhon and Bakunin, Marx turned on the anarchists, and anarchists were barred from the Second International. Nevertheless, socialist anarchists like Emma Goodman and Alexander Berkman continued to work closely with the radical socialist and communist labor movements.

I don't have room to give you the full history here, but this is a taste. You should read the Wiki articles on the First and Second International (see also "International Workingmen's Association"), and the Haymarket Affair. Also, learn about the Spanish anarchists in the Spanish Civil War. These are critical episodes in anarchist history.

For the best modern history on anarchism, see Peter Marshall's book, "Demanding the Impossible." If you can find them, two excellent histories are George Woodcock's "Anarchism," and James Joll's "The Anarchists" (currently out of print). Labor history is also important to socialist anarchists -- see Patrick Renshaw's book "The Wobblies," on the history of the IWW (an anarcho-syndicalist labor union).

It's important to note that there are many schools of anarchist thought. A short list would include: libertarian socialism, anarcho-syndicalism, anarcho-communism (or "libertarian communism"), anarcho-primitivism, mutualist anarchism, market anarchism, individualist anarchism, and philosophical anarchism.

A good first step is to learn about the different schools of thought, and figure out about where you are. You might even find schools of thought annoying and stupid, and be an "Anarchist Without Adjectives." However, I highly, highly recommend engaging with these ideas. It will help you both to learn about anarchism, and to find out what issues are most important to you, and why anarchism resonates with you as a person.

There is no litmus test or rite of entry to be an anarchist. The bare minimum requirement is to be opposed to involuntary forms of government. Traditionally, anarchism has sought to challenge all forms of authority, in all spheres of human existence. The goals tend to be: society based on voluntary association, minimizing violence and coercion, ending disparities between groups (sexism, ageism, racism, etc.), and challenging hierarchical forms of interaction. It need not be these things, but most anarchists have found that challenging the state alone is insufficient. These days, many anarchists are environmentalists or have green sympathies - again, not by necessity. Most anarchist "practice" has been direct action, and historically, labor organizing.

For now, I would recommend just learning about anarchism, and figuring out the "practice" part later. "Demanding the Impossible" by Peter Marshall is the best place to start, in my opinion. Wikipedia is another good place, if you like online learning.