Chomsky on Anarchism.pdf - Zine Library

INTRODUCTION
out being concerned about the human consequences," when simply opposing
the state might mean placing even greater power in the hands of reactionary
forces, private (usually corporate) powers that would reinforce inequality and
hardship. He goes on, in one interview, to suggest that "protecting the state
sector today is a step towards abolishing the state." He also adds that, in the
process of pursuing social change though the mechanisms of the state, people
will inevitably run up against the inherent limits of such reformist tactics and,
eventually, understand that the system itself must be changed.
Such arguments, of course, do challenge accepted anarchist theory. For
people like Emma Goldman all states were CO be done way with. The "democratic
state," she suggested, once it was challenged, would become as oppressive
as the most totalitarian state. For <strong>Chomsky</strong>. the state can maintain "a public
arena" where there is still some room in which people can operate and bring
about change. It's a position that will spark debate and, in the eyes of some,
question his whole conception of anarchism.
More could be said. For instance, <strong>Chomsky</strong> has a flexible view of voting.
He suggests that, like some other anarchists, he does vote on local matters. In
terms of national elections, he suggests that if Massachusetts were a swing state
he would vote. If not, "there are a variety of possible choices, depending on
one's evaluation of the significance." Such flexibility of approach to these matters,
which can be interpreted as mere common sense, could also raise (he
question of what anarchist p ractice actually is, and how it differs from that of,
say, social democrats. Arguments such as these will not go away. Tensions will
continue. Attitudes will solidify, shift and change. The consistency between
theory and practice will continue to be worked our. <strong>Chomsky</strong> has much to
contribute to that process and there is much for us to admire in both his optimism
and his clear sense of the difficult struggles ahead:
The record of anarchist ideas, and even more, of the inspiring
struggles of people who have sought to liberate themselves from
oppression and domination must be rreasured and preserved,
not as a means of freezing thought and conception in some new
mold but as a basis for understanding of the social reality and
committed work to change it. There is no reason to suppose that
history is at an end, that the currem structures of authority and
domination are graven in StOne. It would also be a great error to
underestimate the power of social forces that will fight to maintain
power and privilege.
Barry Pateman
March 2005