”The standard book on anarchism for the twenty-first century. Written with
brio, quiet insight and clarity and taking us from the nineteenth century
anarchist Proudhon to Occupy and Rojava” Carl Levy A magisterial study of
the history and theory of one of the most controversial political movements
Anarchism routinely gets a bad press. It”s usually seen as meaning chaos
and disorder — or even nothing at all. And yet, from Occupy Wall Street to
Pussy Riot, Noam Chomsky to David Graeber, this philosophical and political
movement is as relevant as ever. Contrary to popular perception, different
strands of anarchism — from individualism to collectivism — do follow
certain structures and a shared sense of purpose: a belief in freedom and
working towards collective good without the interference of the state. In
this masterful, sympathetic account, political theorist Ruth Kinna traces
the tumultuous history of anarchism, starting with thinkers and activists
such as Peter Kropotkin and Emma Goldman and through key events like the
Paris Commune and the Haymarket affair. Skilfully introducing us to the
nuanced theories of anarchist groups from Russia to Japan to the United
States, The Government of No One reveals what makes a supposedly chaotic
movement particularly adaptable and effective over centuries — and what we
can learn from it.