Anarchist Federation (AF)

The Anarchist Federation (AF) is a federation of anarchist groups dedicated to promoting anarchism, particularly anarcho-communism. It seeks to organize for the overthrow of capitalist societies and replace them with decentralized, voluntary, and non-hierarchical communities based on direct democracy, mutual aid, and solidarity.

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Core Principles of Anarchism

• Anti-authoritarianism: Rejects all forms of hierarchical authority, such as the state, capitalism, patriarchy, and racism.
• Direct Action: Advocates for people to act directly to bring about social change, rather than relying on traditional political systems like elections.
• Mutual Aid: Emphasizes cooperative, supportive relationships within communities to meet everyone’s needs without exploitation.
• Decentralization: Calls for local, self-managed communities, where people govern themselves collectively without centralized control.

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Anarchist Federation (AF): Overview

• Foundation: The Anarchist Federation was originally founded in 1986 in the UK and has since spread to various countries, including sections in Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United States.
• Ideology: Primarily adheres to anarcho-communism, which combines anarchist principles with the aim of creating a stateless, classless society based on collective ownership and mutual aid.
• Organizational Structure: The federation is decentralized, with autonomous local groups working together in a federated network. This allows for shared goals and support while maintaining local autonomy.

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Key Goals of the Anarchist Federation

1. Building Revolutionary Movements: AF works to create mass movements to challenge state and capitalist structures and promote social revolution.
2. International Solidarity: The federation is connected to other anarchist groups worldwide and supports global struggles for freedom and equality.
3. Revolutionary Education: The AF emphasizes educating people about anarchism and empowering them to organize against oppression.
4. Direct Action and Protest: AF encourages actions like strikes, occupations, and grassroots protests as means of resistance.

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Notable Activities

• Campaigns: The AF often participates in campaigns related to workers’ rights, environmental justice, anti-racism, and anti-imperialism.
• Publications: The federation produces literature, pamphlets, and a magazine (such as The Anvil) that shares anarchist ideas and promotes action.
• Events: AF hosts gatherings, talks, and demonstrations to foster connections within the anarchist community and build solidarity.

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Criticism & Controversy

• Practical Challenges: Critics often question how anarchism would function in a modern, complex society, where large-scale coordination is needed.
• Violence & Tactics: Some anarchist groups have been criticized for using violent direct action tactics, although the AF generally promotes non-violent strategies.
• Ideological Purity: Anarchist federations sometimes struggle with internal disagreements about strategy and goals, especially concerning the balance between theory and practice.