Anarcho-Communism
Anarcho-Communism, or Libertarian Communism, is a political ideology related to Libertarian socialism.
The terms Anarcho-Communism and libertarian Communism should not be considered synonyms for libertarian socialism. It is merely a branch of Libertarian Socialism.
Anarcho-Communism was first formulated by the Italian section of the First International by Carlo Cafiero, Errico Malatesta and Andrea Costa and other ex-Mazzinian Republicans. Through sentimental loyalty to Mikhail Bakunin they did not make their split from Collectivism explicit until after the latter's death. In 1876 at the Florence Conference of the Italian Federation of the International (which was actually held in a wood outside Florence, due to police activity) They declared the principles of Anarcho-Communism thus:
- "The Italian Federation considers the collective property of the products of labour as the necessary complement to the collectivist programme, the aid of all for the satisfaction of the needs of each being the only rule of production and consumption which corresponds to the principle of solidarity. The federal congress at Florence has eloquently demonstrated the opinion of the Italian International on this point..."
The above report was actually made in article by Malatesta and Cafiero in the (Swiss) Jura Federation's bulletin later that year.
Anarcho-communism stresses the abolition of money or any form of exchange. The gift economy is often associated with anarcho-communism as it involves the free exchange of goods.
In anarcho-communism, the profit motive no longer exists. Goods are given away as gifts in the hopes that others will give products back (in an industrial setting, this would occur between worker syndicates as well as between individuals). If one syndicate does not share their products, they will not receive resources from other syndicates, making it in their best interests to share.
Anarcho-communism also advocates the abolition of work in the sense of unpleasant labor and recommends worker self management to improve working conditions and increase efficiency to make working enjoyable.
People
