The Accumulation of Freedom - Writings on Anarchist Economics

The only crisis of capitalism is capitalism itself. Let's toss credit default swaps, bailouts, environmental externalities and, while we're at it, private ownership of production in the dustbin of history. The Accumulation of Freedom brings together economists, historians, theorists, and activists for a first-of-its-kind study of anarchist economics. The editors aren't trying to subvert the notion of economics—they accept the standard definition, but reject the notion that capitalism or central planning are acceptable ways to organize economic life. Praise for Accumulation of Freedom: "The Accumulation of Freedom fills a vital need for beginning a serious dialogue about alternatives to capitalist globalization and the continuing ruthless exploitation of labor and natural resources. This is a comprehensive guide for all of us to think about how we might create not only a sustainable future, but one based on justice, community and freedom."—Benjamin Frymer, Project Censored "This is an amazing, timely, and important book, providing a needed alternative perspective on the future, if we are to have one."—Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, author of Outlaw Woman "This book addresses a broadening interest in anarchism – as both theory and politics – in the wake of the deepening economic and social crisis in the United States and elsewhere. It is a very timely collection of articles that boldly confronts the urgent need for a fundamental alternative to the existing bankrupt power structure."—Carl Boggs, author of Imperial Delusions "Given the vast overburden of tomes delineating every theoretical nuance of 'free market,' mixed, and marxian economies, material addressing anarchist alternatives has always been rendered conspicuous by its absence. Accumulation of Freedom fills the void rather neatly, providing a broadly-framed and accessible survey of this crucially important field." —Ward Churchill, author Contributors include Robin Hahnel, Iain McKay, Marie Trigona, Chris Spannos, Ernesto Aguilar, Uri Gordon, and more. Deric Shannon is a PhD. candidate in sociology at the University of Connecticut, where he studies prefigurative politics and radical social movements. He is a co-editor of the book Contemporary Anarchist Studies: An Introductory Reader of Anarchy in the Academy and the author of numerous articles and book chapters, typically on radical political thought. He is a member of the Workers Solidarity Alliance, Queers without Borders, and co-runs the independent record label, Wooden Man Records. Anthony J. Nocella, II, while finishing his Ph.D. in Social Science at Syracuse University, he teaches at SUNY Cortland and Le Moyne College in Criminology and life skills at a youth detention facility. He is also an associate of a number of scholarly institutes including the Program on the Analysis and Resolution of Conflicts (PARC) and is the Executive Director of the Central New York Peace Studies Consortium and the Institute for Critical Animal Studies (ICAS). His books include Terrorists or Freedom Fighters? (ed.), Academic Repression (ed.), Igniting a Revolution (ed.), and Contemporary Anarchist Studies (ed.). John Asimakopoulos, Ph.D. is Director of the scholar-activist Transformative Studies Institute (TSI). He also edits the interdisciplinary per-reviewed journal Theory in Action. His work focuses on labor, globalization, and sociological theory. He currently teaches Sociology at Montclair State University and has taught Economics, Sociology, and Political Science at many New York and New Jersey Universities. The Only Crisis Of Capitalism Is Capitalism Itself. Let's Toss Credit Default Swaps, Bailouts, Environmental Externalities And, While We're At It, Private Ownership Of Production In The Dustbin Of History. The Accumulation Of Freedom Brings Together Economists, Historians, Theorists, And Activists For A First-of-its-kind Study Of Anarchist Economics. The Editors Aren't Trying To Subvert The Notion Of Economics—they Accept The Standard Definition, But Reject The Notion That Capitalism Or Central Planning Are Acceptable Ways To Organize Economic Life. Preface / By Ruth Kinna -- Introduction: Anarchist Economics: A Holistic View / By Deric Shannon, Anthony J. Nocella, Ii, And John Asimakopoulos -- Part 1: History. Examining The History Of Anarchist Economics To See The Future / By Chris Spannos -- Laying The Foundations: Proudhon's Contribution To Anarchist Economics / By Iain Mckay -- Part 2: Analysis. Capitalism In The 2000s / By Abbey Volcano And Deric Shannon -- Fight To Win! Tools For Confronting Capital / By Jeff Monaghan And D.t. Cochrane -- Escaping Capitalist Hegemony: Rereading Western Economies / By Richard J. White And Colin C. Williams -- Part 3: Critique. Globalized Contradictions Of Capitalism And The Imperative For Epochal Change / By John Asimakopoulos -- The Economic Crisis And Libertarian Socialists / By Robin Hahnel -- Education's Diminishing Returns And Revolutionary Potential In The United States And Beyond / By William T. Armaline And William D. Armaline -- Part 4: Practice. Anarchist Economics In Practice / By Uri Gordon -- Currency And Café Anarchy: Do-it-yourself Economics And Participatory Resistance To Global Capitalism / By Caroline Kaltefleiter -- Part 5: Resistance. Occupy, Resist, Produce! Lessons From Latin America's Occupied Factories / By Marie Trigona -- Call It An Uprising: People Of Color And The Third World Organize Against Capitalism / By Ernesto Aguilar -- Part 6: Vision. Chopping Off The Invisible Hand: Internal Problems With Markets And Anarchist Theory, Strategy, And Vision / By Deric Shannon -- Ditching Class: The Praxis Of Anarchist Communist Economics / By Scott Nappalos -- The Anarchist Method: An Experimental Approach To Post-capitalist Economies / By Wayne Price -- Afterword: Porous Borders Of Anarchist Vision And Strategy / By Michael Albert. Edited By Derek Shannon, Anthony J. Nocella, And John Asimakopoulos. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Preface by Ruth Kinna Introduction: Anarchist Economics: A Holistic View by Deric Shannon, Anthony J. Nocella, II, and John Asimakopoulos History Examining the History of Anarchist Economics to See the Future by Chris Spannos Laying the Foundations: Proudhon’s Contribution to Anarchist Economics by Iain McKay Analysis Capitalism in the 2000s by Abbey Volcano and Deric Shannon Fight to Win! Tools for Confronting Capital by Jeff Monaghan and D.T. Cochrane Escaping Capitalist Hegemony: Rereading Western Economies by Richard J. White and Colin C. Williams Critique Globalized Contradictions of Capitalism and the Imperative for Epochal Change by John Asimakopoulos The Economic Crisis and Libertarian Socialists by Robin Hahnel Education’s Diminishing Returns and Revolutionary Potential in the United States and Beyond by William T. Armaline and William D. Armaline Practice Anarchist Economics in Practice by Uri Gordon Currency and.Café Anarchy: Do-it-Yourself Economics and Participatory Resistance to Global Capitalism by Caroline Kaltefleiter Resistance Occupy, Resist, Produce! Lessons from Latin America’s Occupied Factories by Marie Trigona Call It an Uprising: People of Color and the Third World Organize against Capitalism by Ernesto Aguilar Vision Chopping Off the Invisible Hand: Internal Problems with Markets and Anarchist Theory, Strategy, and Vision by Deric Shannon Ditching Class: The Praxis of Anarchist Communist Economics by Scott Nappalos The Anarchist Method: An Experimental Approach to Post-Capitalist Economies by Wayne Price Afterword Porous Borders of Anarchist Vision and Strategy by Michael Albert Postscript Contributor Biographies Index Acknowledgments Dedication Preface Anarchist Economics: A Holistic View Part 1: History Examining the History of Anarchist Economics to See the Future Laying the Foundations: Proudhon’s Contribution to Anarchist Economics Part 2: Analysis Capitalism in the 2000s: Some Broad Strokes for Beginners Fight to Win! Tools for Confronting Capital Escaping Capitalist Hegemony: Rereading Western Economies Part 3: Critique Globalized Contradictions of Capitalism and the Imperative for Epochal Change The Economic Crisis and Libertarian Socialists Education’s Diminishing Returns and Revolutionary Potential in the United States and Beyond Part 4: Practice Anarchist Economics in Practice Currency and Café Anarchy: Do-It-Yourself Economics and Participatory Resistance to Global Capitalism Part 5: Resistance Occupy, Resist, Produce! Lessons from Latin America’s Occupied Factories Call It an Uprising: People of Color and the Third World Organize against Capitalism Part 6: Vision Chopping Off the Invisible Hand: Internal Problems with Markets and Anarchist Theory, Strategy, and Vision Ditching Class: The Praxis of Anarchist Communist Economics The Anarchist Method: An Experimental Approach to Post-Capitalist Economies Afterword: Porous Borders of Anarchist Vision and Strategy Postscript: Toward the Occupation of Everyday Life Contributor Biographies