Why Greece?
A poll published Sunday suggested that most Greeks believe the violent protests indicate a "popular uprising," and are not driven by "minority activists."
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As the revolts in Greece continue and gain momentum, it is important to look to how Greek anarchists have built such a force (and whether this force is capable of doing more than racking up a big cleanup bill).
After Greece's transition out of a military dictatorship in the mid-1970s, a public discourse of resistance against authority emerged and became dominant. Greek has institutionalized forbidding police onto universities due to the brutal legacy of the dictatorship's killing of students. All governments since then have stood by while an anarchist subculture grew, complete with its exclusive urban enclave (the neighborhood of Exarcheia in downtown Athens which is a no man's land for the police).
A "liberated territory" can be extremely helpful in building support, maintaining support, and providing inspiration. Also helpful is the fact that many young people see the frequent riots as "low risk." Few people get arrested and almost no one gets sentenced. A lot of government proposals that spark such riots are also regarding rights/privileges that a place like the USA has long since quietly given up (such as university access).
This serves Greek resistance well and even if this wave of revolt doesn't establish a sustainable alternative to a Greek state, it does build upon that radical goal. This is a long struggle.
Unfortunately, this also paints a picture so different from the material situation in the US, we cannot really use Greece as a model for spreading as a movement. Of course, their struggle is our struggle. We should use this as inspiration and possible a reason to help them defend their revolt.
_____
Like most recent radical actions against 'industrialized' states, Greek actions have made use of text messaging, blogs, and other similar technology. How does this impact how organization happens and the forms it takes?
What happens when the authorities realize that these "new media" are themselves controlable (since cell calls can be monitors and cell towers have off-on switches)? Is reliance on these forms a set-up to befuddled passivity when the plug is pulled? Do these forms leave a recorded transparency that invites (and enables) criminal prosecution by criminal authorities?
(thanx to Mike Ely & Kasama)
_____
As the revolts in Greece continue and gain momentum, it is important to look to how Greek anarchists have built such a force (and whether this force is capable of doing more than racking up a big cleanup bill).
After Greece's transition out of a military dictatorship in the mid-1970s, a public discourse of resistance against authority emerged and became dominant. Greek has institutionalized forbidding police onto universities due to the brutal legacy of the dictatorship's killing of students. All governments since then have stood by while an anarchist subculture grew, complete with its exclusive urban enclave (the neighborhood of Exarcheia in downtown Athens which is a no man's land for the police).
A "liberated territory" can be extremely helpful in building support, maintaining support, and providing inspiration. Also helpful is the fact that many young people see the frequent riots as "low risk." Few people get arrested and almost no one gets sentenced. A lot of government proposals that spark such riots are also regarding rights/privileges that a place like the USA has long since quietly given up (such as university access).
This serves Greek resistance well and even if this wave of revolt doesn't establish a sustainable alternative to a Greek state, it does build upon that radical goal. This is a long struggle.
Unfortunately, this also paints a picture so different from the material situation in the US, we cannot really use Greece as a model for spreading as a movement. Of course, their struggle is our struggle. We should use this as inspiration and possible a reason to help them defend their revolt.
_____
Like most recent radical actions against 'industrialized' states, Greek actions have made use of text messaging, blogs, and other similar technology. How does this impact how organization happens and the forms it takes?
What happens when the authorities realize that these "new media" are themselves controlable (since cell calls can be monitors and cell towers have off-on switches)? Is reliance on these forms a set-up to befuddled passivity when the plug is pulled? Do these forms leave a recorded transparency that invites (and enables) criminal prosecution by criminal authorities?
(thanx to Mike Ely & Kasama)
posted by shane at 9:25 AM
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