A Creative Passion_ Anarchism and Culture - Jeff Shantz, Jeff Shantz (2010).pdf

The specter of anarchism is haunting statist and capitalist culture and politics in the 21st century. Anarchism the idea that people can organize their lives on the basis of justice and equality free from political and economic rulers has provided inspiration for a variety of contemporary social movements. Yet anarchism remains a misunderstood and misrepresented philosophy. A Creative Passion, edited by a longtime anarchist activist and scholar, offers important insights into anarchist cultural practices and worldviews. The classical anarchist Mikhail Bakunin famously proclaimed that the passion for destruction is also a creative passion. Anarchists over the decades have sought to destroy the tyrannical, authoritarian, exploitative, and oppressive aspects of statist and capitalist societies and culture, while creating alternatives based on solidarity, justice, care, and mutual aid. This innovative work provides exciting perspectives on current movements and ideas that seek a world free from authoritarian domination. It will be a welcome resource for students, faculty, artists, and community organizers alike. Chapters examine anarchism and dada, drama and anarchy, eco-anarchism and critiques of capitalist civilization, DIY and anarcho-punk assaults on corporate culture industries, and Wole Soyinka s anarchism.

About the Author
JJeff Shantz has extensive experience as an anarchist community organizer. His publications include numerous articles in movement publications including Anarchy, Social Anarchism, Green Anarchy, Earth First! Journal, Northeastern Anarchist, Industrial Worker, Anarcho-Syndicalist Review, Onward, Arsenal and Processed World. In addition he has published in such academic journals as Feminist Review, Critical Sociology, Critique of Anthropology, Capital and Class, Feminist Media Studies and Environmental Politics. His book Constructive Anarchy: Building Infrastructures of Resistance (Ashgate, 2010) is a groundbreaking analysis of contemporary anarchist movements. He received his PhD in Sociology from York University in Toronto, Canada. He is currently a Professor at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Vancouver, Canada, and teaches courses on critical theory, elite deviance, community advocacy and human rights.