Fish tells us that Chomsky has an “unorthodox notion of anarchism.” But he never even hints at what this consists. On the other hand, Fish never explains Chomsky’s paradigm either. Although he repeatedly asserts the superiority of his Marxist views he never tells us what they are, or makes any effort to show that his Marxist paradigm explains the unexpected trajectory of modern history any better than the anarchist paradigm. Fish makes clear from the beginning of the review that he is a Marxist-Leninist and a traditional socialist who does not agree with Chomsky’s “basic anarchist premises.” Although Fish acknowledges that Chomsky is often “insightful” and “perceptive” and “erudite” and “scholarly” (Fish has a tendency to string synonyms together), he also tells us repeatedly that Chomsky’s analysis is a “simplification” or an “over-simplification.” (Presumably the latter is even worse than the former.)īut Fish’s review is completely evasive. Fish gives a picturesque description of many of the essays in the book there is no indication that he seriously wrestled with Chomsky’s ideas on anarchism, socialism, the Russian revolution, the roots of totalitarianism, the vanguard party - the big ideas that Chomsky addresses. On Anarchism will be essential listening for a new generation of activists who are at the forefront of a resurgence of interest in anarchism - and for anyone who struggles with what can be done to create a more just world.George Fish’s review of Chomsky on Anarchism does not serve Chomsky well at all. The collection includes a revealing new introduction by journalist Nathan Schneider, who documented the Occupy movement for Harper's and The Nation, and who places Chomsky's ideas in the contemporary political moment. Moreover, it is a living, evolving tradition that is situated in a historical lineage Chomsky's anarchism emphasizes the power of collective, rather than individualist, action.

Chomsky's anarchism is distinctly optimistic and egalitarian.

In these essays, Chomsky redeems one of the most maligned ideologies, anarchism, and places it at the foundation of his political thinking. On Anarchism provides the reasoning behind Noam Chomsky's fearless lifelong questioning of the legitimacy of entrenched power. Get this audiobook free when you try Audible:

Chomsky on anarchism