An Anarchist FAQ

The collective product of anarchists around the world, this is the first volume of an "FAQ" ("frequently asked questions" with answers) that evolved from being almost solely an attack on "anarcho"-capitalism (a.k.a. right libertarianism) into a more general introduction to the fundamental tenets of anarchism. The questions and explanations are arranged into sections discussing the basics of anarchist theory, anarchist critiques of social hierarchies and economic classes, anarchist critiques of capitalist economics, the impact of statism and capitalism on society, anarchist environmentalism, and the anarchist critique of "anarcho"-capitalism. The volume is relatively diligent in incorporating the different views of various strains of anarchism, with the exception of the so-called "primitivists" and other marginal strains, and makes liberal (if the reader will excuse the pun) use of quotes from various historic and contemporary prominent anarchist thinkers. The second volume will discuss whether individualist anarchism is capitalistic, anarchist opposition to state socialism, and the outlines of anarchist society, among other topics. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)