World History 101: Intellectual-History - Anarchism's Deep History Beyond 19th-Century Europe

? What this actually is

Anarchism's Deep History: Beyond 19th-Century Europe is a journey through the untold stories of human politics, challenging the conventional narrative that anarchism emerged solely in 19th-century Europe. This concept reveals that anarchic forms of organization and resistance have been present throughout human history, often hidden or marginalized by dominant state-centric narratives. By exploring this deeper history, we can gain a more nuanced understanding of human political creativity and the diverse ways people have organized themselves without the need for centralized authority.

This matters today because it challenges our assumptions about the inevitability of state formation and the supposed "progress" of human societies. By recognizing the long history of anarchic and decentralized forms of organization, we can better understand the potential for alternative forms of governance and the ways in which people have resisted oppressive systems throughout history. This, in turn, can inform our contemporary debates about democracy, inequality, and social change.

? Key ideas (from the scholars)

1. The diversity of human politics

• Associated with: David Graeber and David Wengrow
• Summary: Graeber and Wengrow argue that human societies have always been diverse in their forms of organization, with many examples of anarchic and decentralized systems existing alongside state-based societies.
• Example: Graeber and Wengrow cite evidence from Göbekli Tepe, a 11,000-year-old temple complex in modern-day Turkey, which suggests that early human societies were capable of complex organization without the need for a centralized state.

2. The role of social complexity

• Associated with: Peter Turchin
• Summary: Turchin argues that social complexity, rather than state formation, is the key driver of human history. He suggests that complex societies can exist without a centralized state, and that anarchic forms of organization can be more effective in certain contexts.
• Example: Turchin cites the example of the Inuit, who developed complex systems of social organization and trade without the need for a centralized state.

3. The importance of indigenous critique

• Associated with: James C. Scott
• Summary: Scott argues that indigenous societies have always been aware of the limitations and dangers of state formation, and have developed alternative forms of organization and resistance as a result.
• Example: Scott cites the example of the Zomia region of Southeast Asia, where indigenous societies developed complex systems of social organization and resistance to colonialism and state formation.

? Hidden rule nobody explains

History is written by the bureaucrats: Most historical accounts of anarchism focus on the 19th-century European movements, while ignoring the long history of anarchic and decentralized forms of organization that existed before and outside of Europe. This is because historians have traditionally relied on written records, which are often limited to the perspectives of state officials and other powerful actors.

? The deeper story

The conventional version: The conventional narrative of anarchism suggests that it emerged in 19th-century Europe as a response to the rise of industrial capitalism and the state. This narrative focuses on the key figures and events of the European anarchist movement, such as Mikhail Bakunin and the Paris Commune.

The evidence that complicates or overturns it: However, a closer examination of the historical record reveals that anarchic and decentralized forms of organization have been present throughout human history. For example, the ancient Sumerians developed complex systems of social organization and governance without a centralized state, while the indigenous societies of the Americas developed alternative forms of organization and resistance to colonialism and state formation.

Specific archaeological sites, textual sources, or data points that matter: Archaeological sites such as Göbekli Tepe and Çatalhöyük provide evidence of complex human societies that existed without a centralized state, while the writings of ancient authors such as Aristotle and Confucius reveal a nuanced understanding of the limitations and dangers of state formation.

? Why this still matters

Understanding the deep history of anarchism challenges our assumptions about the inevitability of state formation and the supposed "progress" of human societies. By recognizing the long history of anarchic and decentralized forms of organization, we can better understand the potential for alternative forms of governance and the ways in which people have resisted oppressive systems throughout history. This, in turn, can inform our contemporary debates about democracy, inequality, and social change.

? Your move today

Goal: Read a primary source excerpt from the writings of ancient authors such as Aristotle or Confucius.

Step-by-step:

1. Choose a primary source excerpt from the writings of an ancient author.
2. Read the excerpt carefully and take notes on the key points.
3. Reflect on how the ideas expressed in the excerpt relate to contemporary debates about democracy, inequality, and social change.

What to save: A one-paragraph summary of the key points from the excerpt in your own words.

? Resource asset for today

Timeline of Anarchic and Decentralized Forms of Organization

Common misunderstandings & nuance

2 common misinterpretations:

1. Assuming that anarchism is a recent development that emerged solely in 19th-century Europe.
2. Believing that state formation is the only way to achieve social complexity and progress.

1 important nuance: The diversity of human politics and the complexity of social organization mean that there is no single "anarchist" or "state-based" solution to social problems.

1 sign you're understanding it correctly: You can explain in your own words why the Agricultural Revolution wasn't a single event and why that matters for understanding the deep history of anarchism.

? Completion check

"I can explain in my own words why the Agricultural Revolution wasn't a single event and why that matters for understanding the deep history of anarchism."