Kropotkin
And the Rise of Revolutionary Anarchism, 1872-1886

This book examines Kropotkin as the man who became the chief exponent of the ideas of the European anarchist movement.

Caroline Cahm (Author)

9780521891578, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 18 April 2002

388 pages
23.1 x 15.3 x 2.4 cm, 0.57 kg

'… a work of fine and detailed scholarship … Cahm allows us to see both the degree of consistency and the complexity in the development of Kropotkin's ideas.' Anarchist Studies

This major study of Peter Kropotkin sets him firmly in the context of the development of the European anarchist movement as the man who became, after Bakunin's death, their chief exponent of anarchist ideas. It traces the origins and development of his ideas and revolutionary practice from 1872 to 1886, and assesses the subsequent influence of his life and work upon European radical and socialist movements. Dr Cahm analyses Kropotkin's role in the transformation of Bakunin's anti-authoritarian socialism, and shows how two principal types of revolutionary action emerge from anarchist efforts to develop clear alternatives to the parliamentary strategies of social democrats; one based on the activity of individuals and small groups, the other related to large-scale collective action.

Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Part I. Kropotkin and the Development of the Theory of Anarchist Communism: 1. Bakuninism
2. Anarchist communism
Part II. Kropotkin and the Development of Anarchist Ideas of Revolutionary Action by Individuals and Small Groups (1872–1886): 3. Revolutionary action and the emergent anarchist movement of the seventies
4. Propaganda by deed: the development of the idea
5. Kropotkin and propaganda by deed
6. Kropotkin and acts of revolt
7. The Congress of London 1881 and 'The Spirit of Revolt'
8. The trial of Lyon 1883 and response to persecution
Part III. Kropotkin and the Development of Anarchist Views of Collective Revolutionary Action (1872–1886): 9. Trade unionism and the emergent anarchist movement of the seventies
10. Kropotkin and collective action in the labour movement
Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: History of ideas [JFCX]