Anarcho-Communism vs. Anarcho-Syndicalism

Attribute	Anarcho-Communism	Anarcho-Syndicalism
Key Figures	Peter Kropotkin, Emma Goldman	Rudolf Rocker, Buenaventura Durruti
Focus	Emphasis on communal ownership and distribution of resources	Emphasis on labor unions as a means of achieving anarchist society
Organization	Decentralized, based on voluntary cooperation	Organized through syndicates and federations of workers
Strategy	Revolutionary overthrow of capitalist system	General strike and direct action to dismantle capitalism
Role of State	Abolition of the state as a tool of oppression	State seen as a tool of capitalist control to be dismantled

Overview

Anarcho-Communism and Anarcho-Syndicalism are two branches of anarchism that share similar goals of abolishing the state and capitalism. However, they differ in their approaches to achieving a stateless, classless society. Anarcho-Communism advocates for a decentralized, non-hierarchical society based on common ownership of the means of production and distribution of goods. Anarcho-Syndicalism, on the other hand, emphasizes the role of labor unions and workers' syndicates in organizing society and overthrowing capitalism.

Economic Organization

In terms of economic organization, Anarcho-Communism envisions a system where resources are owned collectively and distributed according to need. This means that individuals would have access to goods and services based on their needs rather than their ability to pay. Anarcho-Communists believe that this system would eliminate poverty and inequality, as everyone would have equal access to resources. On the other hand, Anarcho-Syndicalism focuses on organizing workers into syndicates or unions to collectively control the means of production. These syndicates would coordinate production and distribution without the need for a centralized state.

Political Strategy

When it comes to political strategy, Anarcho-Communism tends to prioritize building alternative institutions and communities outside of the existing state and capitalist system. Anarcho-Communists believe in creating a new society within the shell of the old, gradually replacing hierarchical structures with decentralized, democratic ones. In contrast, Anarcho-Syndicalism places a greater emphasis on direct action and workers' struggles to bring about social change. Syndicalists believe that workers have the power to overthrow capitalism through strikes, boycotts, and other forms of direct action.

Role of the State

Both Anarcho-Communism and Anarcho-Syndicalism advocate for the abolition of the state as a means of achieving a truly free and equal society. Anarcho-Communists argue that the state is inherently oppressive and serves to uphold capitalist interests. They believe that a stateless society based on voluntary cooperation is the only way to ensure individual freedom and equality. Similarly, Anarcho-Syndicalists view the state as a tool of the ruling class and seek to dismantle it through workers' revolution and direct action.

Internationalism

Both Anarcho-Communism and Anarcho-Syndicalism are internationalist ideologies that reject nationalism and advocate for solidarity among workers and oppressed peoples around the world. Anarcho-Communists believe in the importance of global cooperation and mutual aid to create a world without borders or divisions. Anarcho-Syndicalists also emphasize the need for international solidarity among workers to challenge the power of multinational corporations and capitalist states.

Conclusion

While Anarcho-Communism and Anarcho-Syndicalism share common goals of abolishing the state and capitalism, they differ in their approaches to achieving a stateless, classless society. Anarcho-Communism focuses on common ownership and distribution of resources based on need, while Anarcho-Syndicalism emphasizes the role of labor unions and workers' syndicates in organizing society. Both ideologies reject the state and advocate for international solidarity among workers and oppressed peoples. Ultimately, the choice between Anarcho-Communism and Anarcho-Syndicalism depends on one's beliefs about the most effective means of achieving a free and equal society.