Chomsky on Anarchism.pdf - Zine Library

NINE
ANARCHISM, INTELLECTUALS
AND THE STAT
(1996)
You were invited to Brazil as a linguistic scholdr by the Brazilian
Association of Linguists (ABRALIN). Why did you assign some time in your
schedule to get in touch with local social movements?
I always do that. I think it's been 40 years since I've gone anywhere just to
give linguistics talks. I always combine them. In fact, usually I go fo r the
social/political movements and give linguistics talks on the side. So, if I give a
talk in the United States to a social justice movement in Colorado or wherever,
it usually takes place under the allspices of the linguistics department and
they cover the travel. There is nothing unusual about this. In fan, the invitations
came from many groups. So, it's normal.
212
ANARCHISM AND THE STATE
In an article ("Goals and Vi sions'') in your new book Powers and Prospects,
you say that as an anarchist your long-term goal is to abolish the state, but
your ''short-term goals are to defend and even strengthen elements of state
authority [..] to impede the dedicated efforts to ''roLL back" the progress that
has been achieved in extending democracy and human rights. " What dn you
mean by strengthening the state? Do you mean effective participation in the
state, like votingfor the Democrats or the Partido dos Trabalhadores' If not,
where do you draw the line?
This was a talk to an anarchist conference, and in my view the libertarian
movemems have been very shortsighted in pursuing doctrine in a rigid fashion
without being concerned about the human consequences. So it's perfectly
proper .. .! mean, in my view, and that of a few others, the state is an illegitimate
institution. But it does nO{ follow from that that you should not suppOrt
the state. Sometimes there is a more illegitimate institution which will take
over if you do not support this illegitimate institution. So, if you're concemed
with the people, let's be concrete, let's take the United States. There is a state
sector that does awful things, but it also happens to do some good things. As
a result of centuries of extensive popular struggle there is a minimal welfare sys-