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Recent Articles about International Imperialism / War

A Talk on the Ukrainian-Russian War Aug 31 23 by Wayne Price

Malatesta on War and National Self-Determination Jul 29 22 by Wayne Price

La solidarietà è più delle parola scritta! Jun 11 22 by Various anarchist organisations

Policing Dissent: Social Control and the Anti-globalization Movement

category international | imperialism / war | review author Wednesday September 09, 2009 14:51author by Deric Shannon - University of Connecticut Report this post to the editors

Review of the Luis Fernandez book

With this book anarchist sociologist, Luis Fernandez, writes on his studies of policing protests (broadly speaking). At first glance, the references and style of the book might make one think it is written for other academics–dispassionately studying the behaviors of our political masters and their domestic army, the police. A close read, however, makes it clear that Fernandez has fighters for social justice in mind, taking a critical approach to studying police and conceiving of policing processes broadly to demonstrate the ways that our ruling relations are protected in western “democracies”.

Policing Dissent begins by defining our terms and operationalizing the categories of analysis for this ethnographic study. Next, Fernandez gives a review of the existing literature on the control of dissent. Interestingly, here (and throughout the book) Fernandez shows some of the radical political uses of post-structuralists like Michel Foucault. Indeed, any volume on dissent would be remiss not to mention the ways that discipline, discourse, and regimes of knowledge are implicated in domesticating desire, including the desire to rebellion. This frees us from looking at power as only being located in specific institutions (such as the state, or capitalism), but also gives us ways to analyze productive power that disciplines us, often times in complex ways that are not reducible to capitalism and the state. This conceptualization of power is becoming much discussed in contemporary militant movements, as queer theory and other recent perspectives have taught us that sometimes hierarchies and oppressions develop out of the ways that we invent social categories and essential corresponding roles, attitudes, actions, etc.–in short, we create docile, disciplined, and domesticated bodies, both individually, but also, as Fernandez demonstrates, docile social bodies. This is something of concern to all people who hope for a radically different future and a revolutionary social body to carry out the task of bringing this future about.

Another item of interest in this book is Fernandez’s analysis of the uses of police psychological control. Through the creation of images of violent “anarchists”, the police frame the debate in ways that both delegitimize anti-authoritarians and demonize them. This involves a process through which our rulers actually hire public relations experts to give them the proper public image and persona before spraying us with teargas and clubbing us in the streets (demonstrating their actual contempt for us, the subjects of their rule). Fernandez shows how they court the media to help them frame public opinion on their terms, or to use Herman and Chomsky’s famous phrase, the ways that they “manufacture consent”.

Fernandez has clearly been on the front lines in social justice struggles. As more and more militants move beyond summit-hopping politics to organize within their workplaces and communities, these lessons from the anti-globalization movement can serve as warnings for what might come as we battle in new areas (and continue to practice our legitimate right to protest). May we win our battles and the larger war!

[First published in Political Media Review, 8 Sept., 2009.]

Verwandter Link: http://www.politicalmediareview.org/
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tumblr_pqi19wf7wg1y0kwqyo1_r1_1280.jpeg imageAnzac Day 2022 19:55 Mon 25 Apr by MACG 8 comments

Australia’s militaristic national myth was founded on the Gallipoli landing.  The dead Anzacs are conscripted for service in all of Australia’s wars.  They have sanctified Australian imperialism in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.  This year, the national commemoration of the Anzacs will be in the service of the developing conflict with China and the drive to war.  It must not be uncontested.

to_arms1.jpg imageEnd ANZAC Day 21:18 Sun 26 Apr by MACG / Melbourne Antifascist Initiative 0 comments

Instead of glorifying the military prowess of the Anzacs, we should be building the working class movement which can sweep away all capitalist States. We need a revolution that will establish libertarian communism, a world of liberty, equality and solidarity, where war and militarism exist no more, except as exhibits in museums and lessons from history.

1378325_795285173893636_5297279479773835095_n1.jpg imageWe are winning in Kobanê Today, and in All Kurdistan Tomorrow! 03:53 Tue 27 Jan by DAF 0 comments

Today, the gangs that the states created for their interests are running away though the ruins they are leaving behind in Kobanê. While the victory of resistance is echoing in the free streets of Kobanê, the

conviction of freedom is rising above the same ruins in the streets. Like comrade Durutti says, "We are not in the least afraid of ruins". Today and tomorrow, in Kobanê and many other places, we know that a new life is being created among the ruins. [Italiano]

toarms.gif imageWar is hell 21:34 Wed 25 Apr by MACG 1 comments

There are two possible futures. In one of them, the conflicts between the imperialist countries, and between them and China, will grow until some miscalculation leads to a nuclear war which could destroy humanity. The other possibility, the only means of avoiding that fate, is a workers' revolution to abolish capitalism and eliminate the causes of war. We can do it and we start by building the labour movement and taking a stand against militarism today. Instead of idolising the Anzacs, we should mourn them, and instead of glorifying the military, we should oppose its very existence.

binladensnipershotdead.jpg imageThe man who knew too much 07:37 Thu 05 May by MACG 0 comments

Statement of Melbourne Anarchist Communist Group. [Italiano]

bahrain_tanks.jpg imageArab dictatorships launching their biggest attack on the masses 06:26 Tue 15 Mar by Mazen Kamalmaz 1 comments

Latest news from our Syrian comrade Mazen Kamalmaz: The situation looks quite bleak for the future of the Arab peoples' revolutions: the official machine of the regimes' repression is unleashed to its maximum in several countries, threatening to put down by brutal force the uprisings of the Libyan, Bahraini and Yemeni masses. Our solidarity is needed in terms of actions of support!
[Italiano] [Ελληνικά] [Castellano] [العربية ]

textAustralian Imperialism 18:45 Sat 24 Apr by Melbourne Anarchist Communist Group 0 comments

Unlike the capitalists, the working class can unite across national boundaries. We can sweep away the capitalists and their State, with its armies, police and prisons. We can build libertarian communism, a world of peace and plenty, a world of both freedom and security. We can and we must.

textResponse to Gaza Bombings in Manhattan - demonstration today in front of the israeli consulate 19:58 Sun 28 Dec by Ilan S. 1 comments

When news from the destruction of Gaza- which has claimed more than 200 lives- reached New York City, communities jumped into action.

Not wanting to waste time, an assorted group of Israeli activists came together that afternoon to hold signs in front of the consulate. Most of them knew each other from past demonstrations, but they were never united under one banner. They were members of Breaking the Silence, Anarchists Against the Wall, and Combatants for Peace back home.

300_0___20_0_0_0_0_0_settimanarossa.jpg imageItaly 90 years ago: World War I ends 18:21 Tue 04 Nov by Federazione dei Comunisti Anarchici 0 comments

90 years later, let 4 November be a day for repudiating war, for anti-militarism and non-violence between peoples, for ceasefires and the de-militarization of all war zones, for the withdrawal of the Italian army and all armies from fake peace-keeping missions. [Italiano]

textMayday 2008: A Fine Day for the Working Class 21:03 Mon 05 May by ronan 0 comments

For those of us involved in the fight for workers' power, the 1st of May gave us much to be cheerful about. Traditionally a day to celebrate working class solidarity and militancy, workers in America and Iraq, marked May 1st with a wonderful demonstration of both of these fine qualities.

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imageA Talk on the Ukrainian-Russian War Aug 31 by Wayne Price 7 comments

A talk on the Ukrainian-Russian war, from an anarchist perspective. I reviewed my reasons for being in solidarity with the Ukrainian people. But revolutionary anarchists should give no political support to the Ukrainian government nor to the U.S. imperialists who help it.

imageMalatesta on War and National Self-Determination Jul 29 by Wayne Price 6 comments

As far as I can tell, Ukrainian anarchists have in fact followed Malatesta’s approach. Virtually the whole country has risen up to oppose the invasion. There is voluntary organizing throughout the nation, both military and providing social services, despite chaos and destruction. Ukrainian anarchists have not made fools of themselves by opposing the resistance of the people. Instead they have merged with the broader movement of Ukrainians. Some have provided non-military services through mutual aid groups, such as food distribution. Others have formed a military unit composed of anarchists and anti-fascists. Although they have a good deal of autonomy, they coordinate with the Territorial Defense Forces.

imageSanctions against Russia: The impact is greater to Europe Mar 30 by Zaher Baher 7 comments

This article covers the impact of the sanction on all sides. But the real losers are the working class and the oppressed people. It shows the way how we can fight back against both wars: the current military one and the sanctions war.

textAn Anarchist Analysis About The Anarchists In Ukrainian Resistance Against Russian Invasion Mar 04 by Batur Ozdinc 2 comments

A group of Ukrainian anarchists living in Kyiv declared that they have joined popular resistance against Russian invasion and organized their own group- leading to many debates among anarchist circles. As long as we do not exactly know their own circumstances, one might think that they are purely pro-NATO people, confused nationalist-anarchists or even neo-Nazi supporters. Actually, they are not! According to their declarations before and during the war, they do exactly know what NATO, capitalism, nationalism and imperialism is; and they are against all of them. For me, they are just a group of comrades who found themselves in the middle of a war and trying to find out a way to defend their own lives and their own ideas.

imageIn imperialist conflict our solidarity is with the working class Feb 22 by Iswed Tiggjan 0 comments

Both NATO and Russia must be opposed, and should war eventuate, our job is not to pick a side but to work to end the war as quickly as possible. Should war break out then the spectre of 1917 needs to be made a reality again. The best defence against imperialist wars will always be a powerful, militant working-class and the fear of revolution that brings.

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imageAnzac Day 2022 Apr 25 Anarkismo 8 comments

Australia’s militaristic national myth was founded on the Gallipoli landing.  The dead Anzacs are conscripted for service in all of Australia’s wars.  They have sanctified Australian imperialism in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.  This year, the national commemoration of the Anzacs will be in the service of the developing conflict with China and the drive to war.  It must not be uncontested.

imageEnd ANZAC Day Apr 26 Anarkismo 0 comments

Instead of glorifying the military prowess of the Anzacs, we should be building the working class movement which can sweep away all capitalist States. We need a revolution that will establish libertarian communism, a world of liberty, equality and solidarity, where war and militarism exist no more, except as exhibits in museums and lessons from history.

imageWar is hell Apr 25 Anarkismo 1 comments

There are two possible futures. In one of them, the conflicts between the imperialist countries, and between them and China, will grow until some miscalculation leads to a nuclear war which could destroy humanity. The other possibility, the only means of avoiding that fate, is a workers' revolution to abolish capitalism and eliminate the causes of war. We can do it and we start by building the labour movement and taking a stand against militarism today. Instead of idolising the Anzacs, we should mourn them, and instead of glorifying the military, we should oppose its very existence.

imageThe man who knew too much May 05 Anarkismo 0 comments

Statement of Melbourne Anarchist Communist Group. [Italiano]

textAustralian Imperialism Apr 24 Anarkismo 0 comments

Unlike the capitalists, the working class can unite across national boundaries. We can sweep away the capitalists and their State, with its armies, police and prisons. We can build libertarian communism, a world of peace and plenty, a world of both freedom and security. We can and we must.

more >>
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