Mad reviewed Anarchy by Errico Malatesta (Anarchist classics series)
Philosophical to the core
4 stars
Malatesta's ideology is deeply philosophical, though well-supported. This pamphlet is less of a practical playbook, like At the Cafe could be considered, and more of a thought-out argument for why anarchists believe what they do, and why their ideas are the best way forward for all of humanity. Malatesta takes the time to explain what his ideas actually are as well. He continues his Socratic dialogue writing style, consistently presenting antagonistic arguments to drive his narrative forward. The theory I understood from this book feels like the other side of the coin to scientific socialism's cold and calculating materialism, presenting a humanist perspective to the same essential ideology.
Malatesta's ideology is deeply philosophical, though well-supported. This pamphlet is less of a practical playbook, like At the Cafe could be considered, and more of a thought-out argument for why anarchists believe what they do, and why their ideas are the best way forward for all of humanity. Malatesta takes the time to explain what his ideas actually are as well. He continues his Socratic dialogue writing style, consistently presenting antagonistic arguments to drive his narrative forward. The theory I understood from this book feels like the other side of the coin to scientific socialism's cold and calculating materialism, presenting a humanist perspective to the same essential ideology.