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Organise! is an organisation of revolutionary class struggle anarchists who share political positions, articulated in theory, strategy and tactics. Our purpose is to keep alive a revolutionary critique of capitalism, to assist in working class struggles, to attack all authoritarian practices such as racism and sexism, and to help build working class solidarity and militancy - willingness to fight for our class interests.
As libertarian communists we aim for a classless and non-hierarchical society. We envision an international confederation of radically democratic, self-managed communities and workplaces. To achieve this society, our class must abolish the wage system and socialize all industries, means of production and distribution. The abolition of markets and exchange value will allow for the satisfaction of human needs, adhering to the communist principle, "From each according to ability, to each according to need." For the first time in history humanity’s full creative potential could be realised.
We oppose all forms of capitalism, whether it be “free-market” capitalism or so-called "socialist" state capitalism. Capitalism creates a society divided mainly into two antagonistic social classes: a small, elite ruling class and a large, exploited working class. The ruling class owns and controls the means of production and distribution, and are thereby able to monopolize the wealth. Their ownership of these two primary functions in society further enables them to focus production toward their own class interests (commodity production, increased profits, relentless expansion, etc) without regards for society as a whole. Those of us who are not part of the capitalist ruling class are forced to sell and rent our labor, whether physical or intellectual, for a wage in order to survive. We have very little power over our own lives or society.
We are also opposed to all forms of Statism. The purpose of any State, whether "representative democracies" or totalitarian dictatorships, is to administrate society in a way that ensures that the privileges of the ruling class are upheld. In order to accomplish this, the State must centralize and monopolize power through a complex network of political, legislative, judiciary, military and financial institutions. This system results in all power being removed from ordinary people, and leads to a society based on hierarchy. By placing itself outside and yet in control of society, the State negates the social and political potential of society and transforms all logical social functions into bureaucratic State functions. We believe in making concrete demands of the State (and business), but we do not engage in parliamentary politics or give suggestions for different ways the State should manage capitalism.
Of all oppression in the world, the most entrenched is that of patriarchy, the domination of men over women. This domination expresses itself everywhere--in both private and public realms. Although it is perpetuated by capitalism and the State, patriarchy existed prior to them and without confrontation will exist beyond their abolition. Anarchist feminism is a theory and practice by which we critique and attack the triple reign of patriarchy, capitalism, and the State, through the realization that this sexual, economic and political subjugation has at its heart the common principle of hierarchical authority. Only by uniting both the revolutionary class perspective of libertarian communism and the feminist critique of patriarchy can anarchism and feminism reach their common goal of human liberation.
Exploitation and oppression are also expressed through social inequalities and hierarchies based on race and ethnic origin. Like patriarchy, this form of social oppression is used to divide and weaken the working class (and intensify the exploitation of a particular group within the class) and must be opposed at every level.
Capitalist patriarchy uses a specific set of gender roles in order to reproduce itself. These expectations breed homophobia and lead to an environment that limits an individual’s personal sexual development. We strive for an environment free from oppressive socialization that traps us into a specific sexual identity and lifestyle.
Capitalism also threatens the planet with ecological destruction. This only serves to benefit the wealthy elite, while the rest of us must endure the negative consequences. A rational society would be inherently linked to the natural world, where our needs and desires must be realized through ecological sustainability.
Capitalism further endangers humanity through imperialism and its manifestation: war. Imperialism expresses itself in two different manners: one uses brute force through direct state military intervention, while the other uses economic coercion through transnational financial institutions.
We do not support the ideology of national liberation movements, which claims that there are common interests held between the working class and the native ruling class in the face of foreign domination. Although we support working class struggles against political and economic imperialism, racism, genocide and colonization, we do not call for the creation of a new ruling class. We believe that the defeat of imperialism will only come about through the destruction of capitalism. We must encourage and develop international working class solidarity.
We are internationalists and believe that workers have no country. We seek international relationships, solidarity, and discussions with anarchist, libertarian communist and class struggle groups worldwide.
Workers’ self-organisation is essential to social revolution. It originates from the actions and interests of workers, not laws and regulations. The basis of workers organisation is direct democracy: in opposition to hierarchy, workers must directly and equally participate in any decision that affects them; direct action: not an appeal to power, but the seizure of power by workers through strikes, slowdowns, sabotage and expropriation; and solidarity: the mutual aid of workers in struggle, to the highest degree possible. In the creation and transformation of these workers organizations we encourage and support maximum tactical flexibility.
Workers’ self-organisation is also essential for winning victories in the here and now. In any struggle - in the workplace, community, or school - we aim to encourage and assist forms of organisation and action that is independent from capital, the State, and parliamentary parties.
The existing trade unions by their nature cannot be transformed into revolutionary organisations. Most trade unions today are not expressions of workers self-organisation but of representation of workers. Their role as representatives of of labour power within capitalism compels them to offer disciplined workforces to the employers. Furthermore, they are based upon a division of workers by trade, and are limited by a host of laws as to what they are allowed to do. In most situations we recommend for members of Organise! to be union members as they are a limited expression of class struggle, contain other militant workers, and are often necessary to win or defend basic work rights. However when workplace struggle occurs we also encourage - where possible - the creation of alternative structures: regular assemblies of all the workers minus scabs and management, with any committees elected to be based on recallable delegates mandated to carry out the decisions of the assemblies. As another tactic we recommend workplace resistance groups; an informal group of workmates who meet privately to discuss work issues and plan actions. We support the construction of syndicalist and anarcho-syndicalist unions.
Membership
Members must agree with the Aims and Principles to join.
Aims of Membership
To contribute to the collective theoretical development of the group and each individual, by contributing to discussions such as at forums, film nights and by assisting in publications such as newsletters or leaflets.
To be involved in practical political action such as organising and attending rallies, occupations, pickets etc.
Rights
Every member has an equal opportunity for presenting their ideas at meetings and an equal vote (where a consensus can’t be reached) in deciding on the actions and political positions of the group, the printed and online material, and electing members to positions such as treasurer.
Duties
Members must:
Assist in distributing the groups’ (or some supported groups’) printed material.
Contribute financially to the group, suggested monthly dues $10 unwaged, $20 waged.
Attempt to attend the groups’ events and the campaigns and struggles Organise! is involved in.
Members must attend the groups’ meetings if they wish to have an influence over it’s direction.
Positions
.
Organise! is an organisation of revolutionary class struggle anarchists who share political positions, articulated in theory, strategy and tactics. Our purpose is to keep alive a revolutionary critique of capitalism, to assist in working class struggles, to attack all authoritarian practices such as racism and sexism, and to help build working class solidarity and militancy - willingness to fight for our class interests.
As libertarian communists we aim for a classless and non-hierarchical society. We envision an international confederation of radically democratic, self-managed communities and workplaces. To achieve this society, our class must abolish the wage system and socialize all industries, means of production and distribution. The abolition of markets and exchange value will allow for the satisfaction of human needs, adhering to the communist principle, "From each according to ability, to each according to need." For the first time in history humanity’s full creative potential could be realised.
We oppose all forms of capitalism, whether it be “free-market” capitalism or so-called "socialist" state capitalism. Capitalism creates a society divided mainly into two antagonistic social classes: a small, elite ruling class and a large, exploited working class. The ruling class owns and controls the means of production and distribution, and are thereby able to monopolize the wealth. Their ownership of these two primary functions in society further enables them to focus production toward their own class interests (commodity production, increased profits, relentless expansion, etc) without regards for society as a whole. Those of us who are not part of the capitalist ruling class are forced to sell and rent our labor, whether physical or intellectual, for a wage in order to survive. We have very little power over our own lives or society.
We are also opposed to all forms of Statism. The purpose of any State, whether "representative democracies" or totalitarian dictatorships, is to administrate society in a way that ensures that the privileges of the ruling class are upheld. In order to accomplish this, the State must centralize and monopolize power through a complex network of political, legislative, judiciary, military and financial institutions. This system results in all power being removed from ordinary people, and leads to a society based on hierarchy. By placing itself outside and yet in control of society, the State negates the social and political potential of society and transforms all logical social functions into bureaucratic State functions. We believe in making concrete demands of the State (and business), but we do not engage in parliamentary politics or give suggestions for different ways the State should manage capitalism.
Of all oppression in the world, the most entrenched is that of patriarchy, the domination of men over women. This domination expresses itself everywhere--in both private and public realms. Although it is perpetuated by capitalism and the State, patriarchy existed prior to them and without confrontation will exist beyond their abolition. Anarchist feminism is a theory and practice by which we critique and attack the triple reign of patriarchy, capitalism, and the State, through the realization that this sexual, economic and political subjugation has at its heart the common principle of hierarchical authority. Only by uniting both the revolutionary class perspective of libertarian communism and the feminist critique of patriarchy can anarchism and feminism reach their common goal of human liberation.
Exploitation and oppression are also expressed through social inequalities and hierarchies based on race and ethnic origin. Like patriarchy, this form of social oppression is used to divide and weaken the working class (and intensify the exploitation of a particular group within the class) and must be opposed at every level.
Capitalist patriarchy uses a specific set of gender roles in order to reproduce itself. These expectations breed homophobia and lead to an environment that limits an individual’s personal sexual development. We strive for an environment free from oppressive socialization that traps us into a specific sexual identity and lifestyle.
Capitalism also threatens the planet with ecological destruction. This only serves to benefit the wealthy elite, while the rest of us must endure the negative consequences. A rational society would be inherently linked to the natural world, where our needs and desires must be realized through ecological sustainability.
Capitalism further endangers humanity through imperialism and its manifestation: war. Imperialism expresses itself in two different manners: one uses brute force through direct state military intervention, while the other uses economic coercion through transnational financial institutions.
We do not support the ideology of national liberation movements, which claims that there are common interests held between the working class and the native ruling class in the face of foreign domination. Although we support working class struggles against political and economic imperialism, racism, genocide and colonization, we do not call for the creation of a new ruling class. We believe that the defeat of imperialism will only come about through the destruction of capitalism. We must encourage and develop international working class solidarity.
We are internationalists and believe that workers have no country. We seek international relationships, solidarity, and discussions with anarchist, libertarian communist and class struggle groups worldwide.
Workers’ self-organisation is essential to social revolution. It originates from the actions and interests of workers, not laws and regulations. The basis of workers organisation is direct democracy: in opposition to hierarchy, workers must directly and equally participate in any decision that affects them; direct action: not an appeal to power, but the seizure of power by workers through strikes, slowdowns, sabotage and expropriation; and solidarity: the mutual aid of workers in struggle, to the highest degree possible. In the creation and transformation of these workers organizations we encourage and support maximum tactical flexibility.
Workers’ self-organisation is also essential for winning victories in the here and now. In any struggle - in the workplace, community, or school - we aim to encourage and assist forms of organisation and action that is independent from capital, the State, and parliamentary parties.
The existing trade unions by their nature cannot be transformed into revolutionary organisations. Most trade unions today are not expressions of workers self-organisation but of representation of workers. Their role as representatives of of labour power within capitalism compels them to offer disciplined workforces to the employers. Furthermore, they are based upon a division of workers by trade, and are limited by a host of laws as to what they are allowed to do. In most situations we recommend for members of Organise! to be union members as they are a limited expression of class struggle, contain other militant workers, and are often necessary to win or defend basic work rights. However when workplace struggle occurs we also encourage - where possible - the creation of alternative structures: regular assemblies of all the workers minus scabs and management, with any committees elected to be based on recallable delegates mandated to carry out the decisions of the assemblies. As another tactic we recommend workplace resistance groups; an informal group of workmates who meet privately to discuss work issues and plan actions. We support the construction of syndicalist and anarcho-syndicalist unions.
Membership
Members must agree with the Aims and Principles to join.
Aims of Membership
To contribute to the collective theoretical development of the group and each individual, by contributing to discussions such as at forums, film nights and by assisting in publications such as newsletters or leaflets.
To be involved in practical political action such as organising and attending rallies, occupations, pickets etc.
Rights
Every member has an equal opportunity for presenting their ideas at meetings and an equal vote (where a consensus can’t be reached) in deciding on the actions and political positions of the group, the printed and online material, and electing members to positions such as treasurer.
Duties
Members must:
Assist in distributing the groups’ (or some supported groups’) printed material.
Contribute financially to the group, suggested monthly dues $10 unwaged, $20 waged.
Attempt to attend the groups’ events and the campaigns and struggles Organise! is involved in.
Members must attend the groups’ meetings if they wish to have an influence over it’s direction.
Positions
Recognising "leadership" as a set of skills that can be learnt, the group encourages their learning by all members so that skills can be dispersed amongst the group rather than concentrated in an individual. All members in organisational positions are subject to recall at any meeting of the group (where a majority of members are present). These positions are: secretary; treasurer; website; ‘bookshop’.
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