Anarchist Quotes
Anarchist Quotes

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Authors List


Peter Arshinov

Peter Arshinov, Father of Platformism

Peter Arshinov, born in 1887, was a Russian anarchist known for his close association with Nestor Makhno in the revolutionary Insurrectionary Army of Ukraine or 'Makhnovshchina'. Coming from a working-class background, Arshinov spent his early years as a metalworker before becoming involved in anarchist activities. He was imprisoned multiple times by the czarist regime for his political beliefs but managed to escape every time, contributing vastly to the anarchist cause in Russia, Ukraine, and even in exile in Western Europe.



His political ideas leaned towards anarcho-communism coupled with a strong emphasis on the concept of workers' self-management. He wrote extensively about these topics, notably in his celebrated work 'History of the Makhnovist Movement' where he detailed the experiences of the Makhnovshchina, advocating for a practical version of anarchism known as 'Platformism'. He argued for the necessity of a specific anarchist organization and discipline, an idea that was influential and controversial in equal measures. Arshinov tragically died in 1937, but his ideals continue to inspire and challenge the anarchist movement globally, offering a potent critique of authoritarian tendencies and propagating the vision of a decentralized, egalitarian society.


Date of Birth: 1887-01-01

Date of Death: 1937-09-12

Country of Birth: Russia

Political Ideas: Anarcho-collectivism, Platformism

Quotes Available: 13



Quotes by Peter Arshinov

There has not been one revolution in the world's history which was carried out by the working people in their own interests - by urban workers and poor peasants who do not exploit the work of others.
The conditions of contemporary life encircle the workers on all sides, surround them, like water surrounds fish in the sea. The workers are not able to escape from these conditions.
Anarchism is not mysticism; it is not a discourse on beauty; it is not a cry of despair.
The Bolshevik practice of the last ten years shows clearly the counter-revolutionary role of their dictatorship of the Party.
Proletarians of the world, look into the depths of your own beings, seek out the truth and realise it yourselves: you will find it nowhere else.
Anarchism embraces two worlds: the world of philosophy, of ideas, and the world of practice, of activity. The two are intimately linked.
The Communist power installed itself by military force, not only when the Bolsheviks occupied a place after a battle to drive out the Petliurists, but also in places where the region was already free and the peasants were on their own.
The Makhnovist movement was founded on the deep feeling of fraternity which characterizes only the most oppressed. During its entire history it did not for an instant appeal to national sentiments.
It is obvious that in calling on anarchists to organise on the basis of a definite program, we are not taking away as such the right of anarchists of other tendencies to organise as they think fit.
Disorganization is the twin sister of irresponsibility, and together they lead to impoverished ideas and futile practice.
The anarchist ideal is large and rich in its diversity. Nevertheless, the role of anarchists in the social struggle of the masses is extremely modest. Their task is to help the masses take the right road in the struggle and in the construction of the new society.
We do not doubt that, if the revolution broke out in several European countries, anarchists would suffer the same defeat because they are no less - if not even more so - divided on the plan of ideas and organization.
Always and everywhere among us, practical problems have been resolved by a majority of votes.


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