Peter Gelderloos is a contemporary anarchist writer and activist whose philosophy is a rigorous, unapologetic, and often provocative challenge to both state power and the perceived inadequacies of the traditional left. His work is not a single, systematic theory but a set of interconnected critiques and proposals. Here is an overview of the core tenets of his philosophy. 1. Anti-[[Statism]] and the Inherent [[Violence]] of the State This is the foundational element. Gelderloos does not see the state as a neutral entity that can be reformed or used for good. · The State is Inherently Violent: He argues that the state's very foundation is violence—from policing and prisons to borders and militarism. It maintains a monopoly on violence to protect hierarchies of class, race, and gender. · "How Nonviolence Protects the State": This is the title of his most famous pamphlet, and the argument is central to his thought. He contends that a strict adherence to nonviolence is a strategic gift to the state, as it disarms the oppressed while the state faces no such restrictions. It allows the state to manage dissent and paint any defensive or militant resistance as illegitimate "terrorism." 2. A Critique of "Nonviolence" as a Hegemonic Strategy Gelderloos makes a crucial distinction between nonviolence as a personal principle and nonviolence as a political strategy enforced upon entire movements. · Ineffectiveness: He marshals historical examples (e.g., the anti-Nazi resistance, the end of segregation in the US, the fall of Slobodan Milošević) to argue that successful social change has almost always involved a diversity of tactics, including militant self-defence and sabotage. · A Tool of the Privileged: He argues that the doctrine of strategic nonviolence is often promoted by the relatively privileged within [[Society]] (e.g., white, middle-class activists) who can afford to be "peaceful" because they are not the primary targets of state violence. For marginalized communities facing daily violence, self-defence is not a theoretical choice but a necessity. 3. A Diversity of Tactics This is his proposed alternative to strict nonviolence. He argues that social movements should be decentralized and pragmatic. · Contextual Validity: No single tactic is universally good or bad. The effectiveness of a tactic (be it a peaceful march, a blockade, a strike, or property destruction) depends on the specific social, historical, and political context. · Solidarity, Not Purity: Movements should practice solidarity, which means not condemning other factions for using different (including militant) tactics. The goal is to defeat the oppressor, not to maintain a morally pure image in the eyes of the powerful. 4. Anarchism as a Realistic and Practical Alternative Gelderloos is not just a critic; he is a proponent of anarchism as a viable social model. His book "[[Anarchy]] Works" is a catalog of real-world examples of anarchist principles in action. · Evidence-Based Anarchism: He provides countless examples from history and anthropology of societies that have organised themselves without centralised states—through horizontal decision-making, mutual aid, and collective ownership. · Focus on Success: He highlights how people naturally self-organise effectively during disasters (like Hurricane Katrina) or in revolutionary moments (like the Spanish Civil War or the Zapatista territories), proving that state control is not necessary for social order. 5. The Interconnectedness of All Systems of Domination His analysis is deeply intersectional, long before the term became mainstream in leftist circles. · "Worshipping Power": In this book, he traces the origins of [[Hierarchical|hierarchy]] not just to class or the state, but to the earlier dominations of [[Patriarchy]], white supremacy, and the destruction of the natural world. He argues that these systems are intertwined and must be fought simultaneously. · Against Single-Issue [[Politics]]: You cannot defeat [[Capitalism]] without also defeating racism and patriarchy, because they reinforce and depend on each other. A truly free society must be free from all these hierarchies. 6. Decolonization and Anti-Civilization Thought In his later work, Gelderloos has moved towards more radical critiques that align with anti-colonial and "anti-civ" (anti-civilization) perspectives. · The Problem is "Civilization": He begins to argue that the root problem is not just the state or capitalism, but the very model of "civilization" itself—a model based on domination, urbanization, [[Agriculture]], and the separation of humans from the natural world. · Learning from [[Indigenous]] Resistance: He looks to indigenous and stateless societies not as "primitive" but as successful, long-term models of living sustainably without the destructive apparatus of the state and civilization. Summary of His Core Philosophy: Peter Gelderloos's philosophy can be summarized as a call for a pragmatic, militant, and intersectional anarchism. He urges movements to: · Abandon the fetishization of nonviolence as a primary strategy. · Embrace a diversity of tactics suited to the context. · Understand that the state is irredeemably violent and cannot be captured for liberatory ends. · Fight all systems of domination (race, class, gender, ecology) simultaneously. · Look to real-world examples of anarchic organization as proof that a stateless society is not a utopian dream but a practical possibility. His work is essential for anyone on the radical left who wants to grapple with tough questions about strategy, violence, and the nature of power. `Concepts:` `Knowledge Base:`