Anarchist Quotes
Anarchist Quotes

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Authors List


Fernand Pelloutier

Fernand Pelloutier, Pioneered Anarcho-Syndicalism

Fernand Pelloutier was born in France on 1 October 1867 and died prematurely due to tuberculosis on 13 March 1901. Infamously known for his anarcho-syndicalist political ideologies, he was instrumental in establishing the French syndicalist movement, leading the Bourses du Travail, a kind of early trade union movement and played a crucial role in the formation of the National Confederation of Labor (CGT), a major French trade union. Pelloutier is one of the key theorists of revolutionary syndicalism.

Pelloutier's writings majorly focused on the practicality of libertarian socialism and direct action of workers. He advocated for worker's self-management and was critical of parliamentary politics. His work 'L'Anarchisme et les syndicats ouvriers' (Anarchism and the worker's unions) established the conceptual and practical relationship between anarchism and syndicalism that shaped the course of French anarchist movement. His active and influential participation in the French labor movement left an indelible mark on the history and development of anarchism.


Date of Birth: 1 October 1867

Date of Death: 13 March 1901

Country of Birth: France

Political Ideas: Anarchism, Syndicalism

Quotes Available: 9



Quotes by Fernand Pelloutier

Thus, on the one hand, the "unionised" are today in a position to understand, study and receive libertarian teachings: on the other, anarchists need not fear that, in taking part in the corporative movement, they will be required to forswear their independence.
Intellectuals: put yourself at the service of the weak. Meditate upon this; this is the really urgent work.
While we do preach perfect communism, it is not in the certainty or expectation of communism's being the social form of the future: it is in order to further men's education, and round it off as completely as possible, so that, by the time that the day of conflagration comes, they will have attained maximum emancipation.
Trades organization is still only in the embryonic stages. Once rid of politicians' tyranny, it can stride out freely and, like the child learning to take his first steps, toddle along the road of independence.
Painters: bring back to life, with your talent and your heart, the memory of the great revolts.
Poets and musicians: launch your vibrant stanzas that awaken in the soul of the humble a sense of impatience with their servitude and, during those all-too-frequent moments of discouragement, refresh the ardor of the strong.
Writers: express your rage against all iniquities during all your waking hours.
Nobody believes or expects that the coming revolution, however formidable it should be, will realize unadulterated anarchist communism.
As moderate as they were, as sensible as they proved themselves to be, the founders of the Circle turned out to be too advanced in the judgment of the guardians of moral order.


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