A review of a book on evolutionary theory and altruism which discusses Kropotkin. Unfortunately, as shown, the account of Kropotkin’s ideas is flawed and so both “mutual aid” and his contribution to science are obscured. It appeared in Anarcho-Syndicalist Review No. 91 (Winter 2025)
(more…)Category: Peter Kropotkin
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Mutual Aid: Kropotkin versus Jones
A review of book by a noted academic who tries to discuss Kropotkin’s ideas on mutual aid but fails due to its inaccuracies as well as the author’s acceptance of the cultural assumptions of the society he inhabits. It appeared in Freedom, 2nd March 2008.
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1914: World War or Class War
An article attempting to explain Kropotkin’s decision to support the Allies in 1914. It shows how isolated he was within the anarchist movement as a result (the vast majority of anarchists taking a clear Internationalist position, unlike the Marxist movement). It also discusses how anarchists should approach wars between States. It first appeared in Black Flag Anarchist Review Vol. 4 No. 3 (Autumn 2024)
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Introduction to Kropotkin’s “Words of a Rebel”
My introduction to the 2022 PM Press edition of Peter Kropotkin’s Words of a Rebel. As well as the original 1885 book, it includes later prefaces (1904 Italian edition and the 1919 Russian edition) and Afterword to the 1919 Russian edition as well as supplementary material by Kropotkin on the labour movement from Le Révolté written as the same time. The Bibliographical Sketch has been updated to reflect new research on the first translations into English of its texts.
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