Book Review: Anarchism, Marxism, and the Future of the Left
Submitted by Chuck0:Reviewed by Jason McQuinn
Anarchism, Marxism, and the Future of the Left: Interviews and Essays, 1993-1998
by Murray Bookchin (AK Press, 1999) 352pp., $19.95 paper.
"Just when there is rising interest among young people," Mr. Bookchin said, "we are shooting
ourselves in the foot."
New York Times, Aug. 5th, 2000 "Anarchism, the Creed That Won’t Stay Dead" by Joseph
Kahn
For many anarchists who had been continuously involved and active in the anti-capitalist
libertarian milieu over the last two or three decades, it came as quite a surprise when
Murray Bookchin returned some of his prodigal attention back toward anarchists in the
waning years of the 20th century. Bookchin, after all, had spent a lot of time and energy in
both building up a little academic kingdom (with his Institute for Social Ecology) and
attempting (and ultimately failing) to put his ideological imprint on the green politics
milieu. However, it was even more surprising when the quality of his renewed attention
toward anarchists—beginning with publication of Social Anarchism or Lifestyle Anarchism:
An Unbridgeable Chasm by AK Press in 1995—turned out to resemble anarcho-Stalinist
denunciation much more than critical solidarity. (In SALA Bookchin's list of denunciatory
terms includes "fascist," "lumpen," "yuppie," "petty-bourgeois," "decadent," etc.) Ultimately,
Bookchin's long disregard for the contemporary anarchist milieu, along with his present
abandonment of any pretense of respect for the thoughts and work of most anarchists,
has led to his growing irrelevance except as a frequent target for well-deserved criticism.
Read more: http://www.anarchymag.org/51/review_marxism.html
