A-Infos (en) Spaine, Regeneracion: Anarchist Platformism and Councilism - Reflections for Revolutionary Debate By Liza (ca, de, it, pt, tr)[machine translation]

Historical Context and Foundations of Mühsam's Anarcho-Communism ---- 
Erich Mühsam (1878-1934) was a central figure in early 20th-century 
German anarchism. His work Die Befreiung der Gesellschaft vom Staat: Was 
ist kommunistischer Anarchismus?[i](The Liberation of Society from the 
State: What is Communist Anarchism?)[ii], published in 1932, offers 
profound insights into the relationship between the individual, society, 
and the state. In this essay, Mühsam addresses the need to dismantle 
state structures in order to achieve a truly free and communist society.

The Influence of Landauer

Mühsam developed his thinking in a context of political crisis and the 
rise of authoritarian movements in Germany. Influenced by Gustav 
Landauer , who conceived of social transformation as a cultural and 
communal process rather than a simple seizure of power[iii], Mühsam saw 
self-management and the abolition of the State as the only path to a 
free society. As Ulrich Linse points out in Die Transformation der 
Gesellschaft durch die anarchistische Weltanschauung[iv], the ideas of 
Mühsam and Landauer were key in the articulation of anarchist networks 
during the Weimar Republic.

Foundations of Anarcho-Communism according to Mühsam

In Die Befreiung der Gesellschaft vom Staat , Mühsam presents 
anarcho-communism as a synthesis between the abolition of the state and 
the implementation of a communist economy managed by communities 
themselves. He criticizes the separation between society and the 
individual, arguing that this dichotomy is a construct of the state to 
maintain control. For Mühsam, society is the sum of free individuals, 
and only through the elimination of authoritarian structures can a true 
community based on solidarity and cooperation be achieved.

Relevance to the Current Debate: Mühsam and Anarcho-Communism

The ideas of Erich Mühsam remain key to the debate between council 
anarchism and platformism. In The Liberation of Society from the State 
(Die Befreiung der Gesellschaft vom Staat)[v], Mühsam underlines the 
importance of a coherent revolutionary organization. While council 
anarchism emphasizes workers' self-organization and direct democracy, 
platformism proposes greater organizational structuring to strengthen 
revolutionary struggle[vi]. Combining the two strategies can offer more 
effective tools for addressing the historical limitations of libertarian 
movements.

Despite having been neglected in contemporary anarchist debates, 
Mühsam's ideas can provide key theoretical tools for rethinking 
revolutionary organization from an anarcho-communist perspective. His 
analysis of class struggle, the state, and popular organization offers 
valuable elements for strengthening anarcho-communism as a viable 
alternative to capitalism and authoritarianism.

Mühsam conceives of class struggle as a conflict that is not only 
economic, but also cultural and organizational. For him, state 
domination is not simply an extension of capitalism, but a power 
structure that must be destroyed along with economic exploitation. From 
this perspective, revolution is not simply the expropriation of the 
means of production, but a profound process of social transformation 
based on self-management, solidarity, and the self-organization of workers.

Overcoming Historical Limitations

Anarcho-communism faces organizational challenges that Mühsam had 
already identified in his time. Among the limitations that must be 
addressed to strengthen its revolutionary capacity are:

- Fragmentation and lack of a common strategy: The lack of effective 
coordination between different self-management experiences has weakened 
the construction of an alternative to capitalism.

- Lack of concern for defensive struggle: History shows that libertarian 
movements have been crushed by state repression. Mühsam warned of the 
need to anticipate repression and develop effective resistance strategies.

- Distance from popular sectors: Anarchism has often been disconnected 
from the everyday reality of the working class. Mühsam insisted that the 
revolution must emerge from within the masses, not from a small circle 
of intellectuals and activists.[vii]

Towards a Revolutionary Strategy for Anarcho-Communism

For anarcho-communism to become a revolutionary force with real impact, 
it is necessary to develop strategies that overcome its historical 
weaknesses and respond to the challenges of the present. In a context 
marked by the crisis of global capitalism, the consolidation of 
neoliberal technocracy, and the rise of reactionary movements in various 
forms beyond the state, anarcho-communist theory and practice must be 
strengthened to build a viable and effective alternative. The key 
pillars for a strengthened anarcho-communist strategy are outlined below.

Strengthening the Class Struggle

Class struggle remains the fundamental axis of revolutionary action. 
Without a clear understanding of capitalist exploitation and the 
mechanisms that perpetuate inequality, any attempt at transformation 
will be reduced to a simple alternative management of the system. 
Anarcho-communism must reaffirm its class-based character, not only in 
discourse but also in action, promoting:

- Organizational structures in workplaces, neighborhoods, and 
alternative production spaces that foster worker autonomy and control.

- Direct actions that challenge the power of capital and the state , 
including strikes, occupations, and strategic sabotage.

- The creation of revolutionary unions and workers' councils , which are 
not mere negotiating apparatuses, but instruments of struggle and the 
construction of popular power.

Construction of Spaces for Political Training and Self-Management

Political education and self-management are essential for the 
development of a solid revolutionary consciousness. In the face of the 
hegemony of neoliberal thinking, which presents capitalism as "the only 
option," it is essential to create spaces for collective learning and 
autonomous practice. This involves:

- Popular schools and self-managed training centers , where the working 
class can develop a critical understanding of capitalism and the state.

- Creation of alternative media , capable of countering the dominant 
narrative and spreading anarcho-communist ideas.

- Solidarity economy and libertarian cooperativism projects that not 
only allow for survival outside the capitalist market, but also 
demonstrate in practice that another form of economic organization is 
possible.

Self-Defense and Resistance Strategies

It's not enough to create autonomous structures; it's essential to 
anticipate and confront repression from the state and capital. History 
shows that any serious attempt at social transformation is violently 
repressed. Therefore, a strong anarcho-communist strategy must consider:

- Training in community and self-organized defense , based on collective 
security and solidarity among communities in struggle.

- Use of accessible digital tools for privacy protection and secure 
communication , such as encryption systems, decentralized networks, and 
self-managed platforms.

- Building structures of mutual support and revolutionary solidarity 
that guarantee the support of persecuted militants and communities 
facing repression.

Networking, Coordination of Struggles, and Openness to Other Ideologies

Decentralization should not mean isolation. Historically, one of the 
great weaknesses of anarchism has been its lack of coordination between 
different struggles and territories. Mühsam defended the need for close 
cooperation between the different centers of struggle without falling 
into hierarchization or bureaucracy. To strengthen this coordination, 
the following must be promoted:

- International networks of resistance and solidarity , connecting 
self-management experiences and revolutionary projects in different 
contexts.

- Meetings and general assemblies , where different movements can 
exchange strategies and strengthen collective action.

- Openness to working with other currents of revolutionary thought , 
abandoning dogmatism and seeking common ground with Marxist, feminist, 
environmentalist, and anti-racist tendencies.

The Role of Platformist Organizations in Strengthening Anarcho-Communism

Platformist organizations can play a fundamental role in adapting 
anarcho-communism to the challenges of the present. Faced with the 
imposition of a new social contract based on submission to neoliberal 
technocracy, platformist structures can strengthen the organizational 
work of anarcho-communism by:

- Development of clear collective strategies that allow for effective 
revolutionary action without becoming scattered.

- Training militants with organizational skills , ensuring that 
anarchist action is sustainable in the long term.

- Integration into grassroots movements , bringing anarcho-communist 
praxis to unions, cooperatives, and community struggles without losing 
its ideological independence.

Platformism should not be seen as a contradiction to traditional 
anarchism, but as a means to strengthen its capacity for struggle and 
organization in a world where repression and alienation are 
systematically advancing.[viii]

Breaking the Chains of the Present to Build the Future

Anarcho-communism cannot be limited to a critique of capitalism or the 
management of small islands of autonomy within an oppressive system. It 
must be a revolutionary force capable of challenging power in all its 
forms and building a new society based on equality, justice, and freedom.

Class struggle, political formation, self-defense, and the coordination 
of struggles are fundamental pillars for anarcho-communism to become a 
real alternative to capitalism, neoliberal technocracy, and reactionary 
movements beyond the state. History has shown that revolution is not a 
spontaneous event, but the result of years of organization, resistance, 
and the building of popular power.

The task is clear: strengthen the organizational foundations, learn from 
the mistakes of the past, and project anarcho-communism as a viable 
alternative for a world in urgent need of radical transformations.

Don Diego de la Vega, Liza militant

[i]Mühsam, E. (nd). Die Befreiung der Gesellschaft vom Staat: Was ist 
kommunistischer Anarchismus? Anarchistische Bibliothek. 
https://anarchistischebibliothek.org/library/erich-muhsam-befreiung-der-gesellschaft-vom-staat

[ii]Mühsam, E. (nd). The liberation of society from the state: What is 
communist anarchism? The Anarchist Library. 
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/erich-muhsam-the-liberation-of-society-from-the-state-what-is-communist-anarchism

[iii]Landauer, G. (nd). Aufruf zum Sozialismus . Anarchistische 
Bibliothek. https://archive.org/details/aufrufzumsoziali01land

[iv]Linse, U. (nd). Die Transformation der Gesellschaft durch die 
anarchistische Weltanschauung. Zur Ideologie und Organization 
anarchistischer Gruppen in der Weimarer Republik . Anarchistische 
Bibliothek. 
https://anarchistischebibliothek.org/library/ulrich-linse-die-transformation-der-gesellschaft-durch-die-anarchistische-weltanschauung

[v]Kuhn, G. (Ed. & Trans.). (2011). Liberating society from the state 
and other writings: A political reader . PM Press.

[vi]Makhno, N., Arshinov, P., & Dielo Truda Group. (n.d.). The 
organizational platform of the general union of anarchists (draft) . The 
Anarchist Library. 
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/dielo-truda-group-the-organizational-platform-of-the-general-union-of-anarchists-draft

[vii]Regarding the concept of political leadership, Mühsam opposed the 
idea of an elitist vanguard leading the movement, advocating for equal 
participation and self-management. Both platformism and especifism 
recognize the need for coordination and strategy, but seek to avoid 
authoritarian structures, promoting a political leadership that emerges 
from the federally structured base. Therefore, it is possible to 
integrate Mühsam's ideas with these currents by creating organizations 
that, while respecting individual and collective autonomy, coordinate 
efforts to strengthen the class struggle and build self-managed structures.

[viii]Federação Anarquista do Rio de Janeiro (FARJ). (n.d.). Social 
anarchism and organization . https://www.anarkismo.net/article/22150

https://www.regeneracionlibertaria.org/2025/06/30/erich-muhsam-plataformismo-y-consejismo-anarquista/
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