I Declare Myself a Near Pacifist Anarchist
(Also posted at the Carnival of Anarchy)
Pacifism gets a bad rap; a very bad rap. At least, by those eager to place brutality and violence upon a pedestal (1). Indeed, I have experienced moments where my own inclination has been to romanticize the violently confrontational militant. I was once very much enamored with the imagery of the black bloc — and I mean the Starbucks window smashing kind — and participated in one at the IMF/World Bank protests of 2002 (2).
I relate all this personal history to illustrate how my perspective has changed dramatically over time. I now consider myself a near pacifist and anarchist philosophy to represent a striving towards the ideal that pacifism aims for. I haven’t rejected violence as never legitimate, but believe that all realistic non-violent methods of dealing with others should be exhausted first.
Only in the narrowest of circumstances — and those circumstances would only sanction defensive force –, do I see violence as justified. It’s only because I cannot view defensive violence as evil that I don’t call myself a pacifist (3). It holds a great appeal for me because part of my attraction to anarchist thinking is its identification of the state for what it is; an institution representing cold and inhumane organized force (4).
This is why anarchism is actually very pacifistic in the sense of positing the ideal of a society not reliant on coercion or the threat thereof. An unadulterated anarchy of this kind may never be realized, yet this is no reason to not view it as an inspiring vision worth attaining.
Notes:
1. I realize that individuals who don’t wish to celebrate brutality or violence also reject pacifism. It’s not my intention to accuse any critic of the doctrine of an eagerness to embrace violence or brutality.
2. In case anyone is wondering, I didn’t engage in any property destruction or witness any. This black bloc experience involved marching in a huge crowd through the streets of Washington D.C. I am almost entirely sure that this march had all of the required permits and/or clearances.
3. It’s my understanding that pacifism is defined by its moral opposition to all uses of violence.
4. I was thinking of Nietzsche’s quote about the state being a cold dead monster or something to that effect.
