Errico Malatesta

Errico Malatesta: his life and ideas

Italian anarchist-communist and critic of syndicalism, Errico Malatesta spent much of his time in exile and was repeatedly imprisoned. He was one of the most influential 20th century anarchists, and here is a collection of his writings taken from various Italian periodicals.

Anarchism and the unions: a critique of Malatesta's ahistorical perspective

Submitted by s.nappalos on May 3 2013 12:33

This piece looks at Malatesta's anti-syndicalist arguments, and critiques them for not having a perspective that looks at workers struggle across time. Looking at the role of struggle in cognition, it argues for seeing workplace struggle as a shifting plane of social action and the construction of proletarian subjectivities.

There is an old argument amongst anarchists. The argument starts with the nature of unions, and ends with the conclusion that revolutionaries shouldn't attempt to build libertarian alternatives outside the unions, and instead should enter into the established unions and agitate for anarchism there.

Anarchy - Errico Malatesta

Malatesta's best known work, a pamphlet on what anarchism means.

Anarchy is a word that comes from the Greek, and signifies, strictly speaking, “without government”: the state of a people without any constituted authority.

Anarchist revolution: Polemical articles 1924-1931 - Errico Malatesta

Submitted by working class s... on Dec 26 2012 19:29

A compendium of texts by Italian anarchist communist Errico Malatesta to complement 'His Life And Ideas, ' much of it previously unpublished. As fresh today as when the polemics were written.

Some thoughts on the post-revolutionary property system

In one of Malatesta's most important articles he lays out the debate on the forms of the 'post-revolutionary property system', discussing the various anarchist approaches to the questions of ownership, use of the means of production, exchange, and distribution.

Our opponents, the beneficiaries and defenders of the current social system, are in the habit of justifying the right to private property by stating that property is the condition and guarantee of liberty.
And we agree with them. Do we not say repeatedly that poverty is slavery?
But then, why do we oppose them?

Mussolini, Sacco-Vanzetti and the Anarchists

Submitted by wojtek on Jul 19 2012 09:36

An examination of Benito Mussolini's attitude towards Sacco and Vanzetti by Philip Cannistraro.

A Talk About Anarchist Communism Between Two Workers - Errico Malatesta

William. Ah Jack, is that you? I’m glad to meet you. I’ve been wanting a talk with you for a long time. Oh, Jack! Jack! What have I heard about you! When you lived in the country you were a good lad, quite an example to the young fellows of your age—If your poor father were alive—

Errico Malatesta: Anarchism, Individualism and Organization

I have listened attentively to everything that has been said before me on the problem of organization and I have the distinct impression that what separates us is the different meaning we give words. Let us not squabble over words. But as far as the basic problem is concerned, I am convinced that we are in total agreement.