Marxism and Anarchism: Their Contradictions

Abstract

The defeat of the revolutions of 1848 marked the replacement of radical republicanism with Marxism and anarchism, which became the two great streams of the left. Seemingly, the ensuing titanic struggle between anarchism and socialism had been resolved by the Russian Revolution. Since the early 1990s and the implosion of the Soviet Union, anarchist thought, as exemplified by the Occupy Movement, has regained widespread currency. Anarchism offers no potential of overcoming capitalism. Marxism is essentially incompatible with anarchism, with few possibilities of collaboration. A strategic vision of a renewed left, informed by Marxism, would benefit from incorporating some practices identified with anarchism—such as more systematic democratic processes and the fostering of communities evidencing genuine concern for their members' cultural and material needs. The scarcity of these communitarian practices in Communist countries and Communist parties outside of the socialist bloc contributed to their failure in the 20th century. Read More: https://guilfordjournals.com/doi/abs/10.1521/siso.2018.82.3.360