Anarchy: History, Theory, and Prospects

The course aims to research, review, and reconsider the historical and philosophical conditions and premises of anarchism, as a movement that emerges in the 19th century, culminates in certain instances in the middle of 20th century, and is beginning to re-emerge as a political option in the current international youth and anti-globalization movements. In this specific way, the course will explore the affinities between anarchism and radical democracy, again in both theoretical and historical spheres. In addition, however, the course will consider the philosophical underpinnings of anarchy as a particular mindset toward, not only political forms and practices, but also forms and structures of knowledge more generally. This latter dimension will involve both ancient Greek and contemporary discussions of epistemology, particularly insofar as conditions of archē (origin and rule) are conceptualized in the absence of extrinsic norms. The overall impetus is to reflect on historical structures so as to elucidate contemporary conditions of both knowledge and political practice, as they have manifested themselves in a “global” demand for a radical democratic life.