THE ROGUES GALLERY

"The emergence of militant anarchism in the late 19th century spurred the creation of another class of political offender that was not accorded protection from extradition. The globe-trotting and deliberately violent anarchists, who repudiated all governments and social organizations, were seen as qualitatively different from other political dissidents....Viewing anarchists with profound abhorrence, representatives of a broad spectrum of political persuasions - from monarchists to republicans, from conservatives to liberals - agreed that they had to be stamped out.'" --Nicholas Kittrie, The War Against Authority

Fascists: Given that these wankers worship the authority of the state, promote violence as a way of life (aka, "might makes right"), believe in sharply delineated class distinctions (everyone has their "place," and should know their place in the cosmic fascist pecking order--from "all-knowing and all-powerful" Leader to cannon fodder), and tend to use scapegoats and hate propaganda to weld themselves together, we are natural enemies.
Monarchists: Amazing as it may seem, some folks believe in the virtues of monarchy. There are still a large number of states that are monarchies, whether constitutional or otherwise. Monarchy is little better than fascism, in the eyes of anarchists.
Libertarians: Surprised? Well don't be. Libertarians have it half right, which means they also have it half wrong! Their hostility to government is of course well-warranted, and their belief in personal freedom is great, but Libertarians are minarchists, not anarchists -- they want a smaller state, one accountable solely to property owners. The libertarians embrace the market as the means of doing this--everything would be up for sale! What they don't get is that this unfettered, freebooting capitalism would lead to a ruling class faster than you can say "banana republic." So long as someone owns productive means and land, somebody's going to be starving. The libertarian response is, "so what?" With this attitude, you can see why libertarians love guns and have a siege mentality--every home really is a castle to these closet authoritarians. I'm reminded of a quote that says what you own owns you as well. "Libertarians" want liberty only for themselves--which means they'll inevitably step on their neighbors; which is fine with them--they tend to have lots of guns, after all. Anarchists see a better way than this Stirneresque "war of all against all."
Capitalists: Surprisingly to some, these guys are definitely our enemies, although they'd be the first to deny it. See, capitalism is antithetical to anarchism, by creating owners and workers, by virtue of uneven wealth distribution and private ownership of productive means. This produces masters and servants (also known as wage slaves), and anarchists don't take kindly to that. Capitalism requires the state to uphold property rights, and fully accepts workplace bosses -- authority and capital are natural allies, which makes anarchists natural enemies of capitalists.
Conservatives: Little needs to be said of these folks. As they are defenders of the status quo, they are, in effect, saying that "everything's all right just as it is." Anyone with common sense can look around and see that things aren't okay. Anarchists can only roll their eyes and wonder if these folks will ever get it.
Liberals: These folks are reformists--they want to "change the system from within," which is a windmill joust if ever there was one. They're doomed to failure, because they are forever trying to put band-aids on severed limbs--and they wonder why problems just keep getting worse. The scary thing about these blokes is that they can be counterrevolutionary--in their acceptance of elements of the status quo, they block the efforts of anarchists. Thoreau's quote of "there are a thousand men hacking at the branches of evil to one who strikes at the root" illustrates the anarchist view of liberals.
Republicans and Parliamentarians: While anarchists are none too fond of the GOP (corporate sycophants without equal), what I mean by republicans are those who believe that "representative " government is the means of salvation. Anarchists point out that government by majority rule amounts to thuggery wrapped in velvet--someone wins (the majority), someone loses (the minority). Further, how can the "representatives" pretend to be representative? For example, the US Congress consists of 535 people. The US population is around 270 MILLION. That means the Congress is .000001 of the population! How can you expect them to be representative of anything (apart from the lobbyists who lavishly fund them--representing their corporate employers)? Fact is, they aren't, and that's just fine with those in power. This system depends on the "one dollar, one vote" principle of influence. That is, in this system those with less money have less voice. Anarchists would like the end this charade and allow people the freedom to govern themselves.
Democratic Socialists: These well-meaning people just don't get it; they are reformists and vanguardists, who seek to lessen the harsh side effects of capitalism with ample social spending. They think capitalism is okay, but want to smooth out some of the wrinkles it produces in the societal fabric, without upsetting the silverware on the table. Trouble with these guys is that they leave existing institutions of privilege and power intact, and create a massive state-run bureaucracy to "meet the peoples' needs." That nanny state arrangement becomes coercive--that which giveth can also take away. These people betray the ideals of socialism.
Authoritarian (State) "Communists": Another surprising one, perhaps, but this requires some qualifying. Anarchists oppose AUTHORITARIAN communists--as in Bolsheviks (ala Lenin, Uncle Joe and company). These folks believe the State and the "party vanguard" will rule for the people--sound the warning buzzer! Anarchists were on to the dangers of state Communism long before the rest of the leftist world was, and they suffered for it. There are anarcho-communists out there, however, who are not our enemies. In truth, what is commonly called "communism" is not true communism at all, but is really state-centralized capitalism.

With enemies like these, who needs friends? Anarchists have earned the wrath of both ends of the political spectrum, which accounts for why there aren't millions of anarchists roaming about. But that doesn't daunt us. We know we're right--maybe someday, before humanity wipes itself out, the rest of you will take some time and read about anarchism and see what it's all about.

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