An Anarchist FAQ

Writings by Anarcho

articles and essays on anarchism, anarchist history, marxism and current affairs as well as reviews

Category: Peter Kropotkin

  • Black Flag: Anarchist Review Autumn 2022 issue now out

    The new issue of Black Flag: Anarchist Review is now available:

    https://www.blackflag.org.uk

    This year’s third issue is a special dedicated to the life and work of Peter Kropotkin (1842-1921) to mark the 180th anniversary of his birth. As such, the issue contains many rare English-language texts by Kropotkin along with newly translated articles from the French newspapers he was intimately associated with – Le Révolté, La Révolte  and Les Temps Nouveaux. We are also happy to announce that we have secured translations of his prefaces to the 1902 and 1919 Russian editions of The Conquest of Bread. The articles and letters cover a range of subjects, from anarchism to war, from revolution to eugenics. In addition we include evaluations of Kropotkin’s ideas and legacy by leading libertarian activists like Rocker, Berneri, Goldsmith and Malatesta.

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  • The 1848 Revolutions: An Anarchist Perspective

    This is a write-up of a talk I gave at the Sparrow’s Nest Archive in Nottingham on 23 June 2018. The talk was advertised by the following text:

    The Revolutions of 1848 remain the most widespread revolutionary wave in European history. While remembered as essentially liberal in nature, aiming at ending the old monarchical regimes they were also note-worthy for the advent of the industrial working class as a factor in social struggle. So as well as political change, the social question was raised while the events of 1848 shaped the ideas of Marx and Proudhon. So on their 170th anniversary, we look at the 1848 revolutions and their lessons for today.

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  • Review: The Altruism Equation

    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)

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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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