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Primer 8 · IS ANARCHY POSSIBLE?  · Alexander Berkman
Primer 8 — iS ANARCHY POSSIBLE? · Alexander Berkman

$5.00

About the Author

Alexander Berkman (1870-1936), along with Emma Goldman, was a leading figure in American radicalism. In 1892, he was sentenced to fourteen years in prison for the attempted murder of H. C. Frick, opponent of worker’s rights during the Homestead Steel strike in Pennsylvania.

About the Text

Is Anarchy Possible? is excerpted from the 1942 Freedom Press edition of A.B.C. of Anarchism, published in Great Britain. The text was first published in the United States by Vanguard Press in 1929, under the title What is Communist Anarchism.

16 pages; 4×7; saddle-stitched

Read excerpts

It is almost impossible to conceive of the wonderful opportunities which would open up to man in a society of Communist Anarchism. The scientist could fully devote himself to his beloved pursuits without being harassed about his daily bread. The inventor would find every facility at his disposal to benefit humanity with his discoveries and inventions. The writer, the poet, the artist – all would rise on the wings of liberty and social harmony to greater heights of attainment.

“It might be possible,” you say, “if we could do without government. But can we?”

Perhaps we can best answer your question by examining your own life.

What role does the government play in your existence? Does it help you live? Does it feed, clothe, and shelter you? Do you need it to help you work or play? If you are ill, do you call the physician or the policeman? Can the government give you greater ability than nature endowed you with? Can it save you from sickness, old age, or death?

Crimes resulting from government, from its oppression and injustice, from inequality and poverty, will disappear under Anarchy. These constitute by far the greatest percentage of crime.

Certain other crimes will persist for some time, such as those resulting from jealousy, passion, and from the spirit of coercion and violence which dominates the world to-day. But these, the offspring of authority and possession, will also gradually disappear under wholesome conditions with the passing away of the atmosphere that cultivated them.

Primal Primers are offered for entertainment and enlightenment purposes only. This work is licensed under CC BY 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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