A-Infos (en) France, UCL AL #374 - Culture - Reading CIRA's *Refuser de parvenir* ("Refusing to Rise") (ca, de, fr, it, pt, tr)[machine translation]

Some texts spark enthusiasm because they give voice to our instinctive 
thoughts and enrich them with theory. *Refuser de parvenir* is one such 
work. This second edition of the collection-laid out by the 
International Center for Research on Anarchism (CIRA)-brings together 
around ten texts, exchanges, and personal accounts from various authors. 
--- It serves as a toolkit for understanding and putting into practice 
the concept of "refusing to rise" (*refus de parvenir*), featuring texts 
on the idea's historical origins, its concrete applications within the 
labor movement, and contemporary reflections on its relevance today. 
Central to this approach are the principles of breaking away from the 
bourgeois ideal of success and rejecting the domination of others, 
alongside the conviction that emancipation must be collective rather 
than individual. The concept bridges personal ethics and revolutionary 
strategy, allowing individuals to identify with the idea personally 
while simultaneously fostering a sense of community. Whether rejecting 
the social climbing promoted by bourgeois society or relinquishing one's 
privileges, the refusal to rise fuels the desire to stand in solidarity 
with one's own social class. However, refusing to rise never implies 
wallowing in ignorance or mediocrity; rather, it means placing the 
skills and knowledge-which could have enabled one to become or remain a 
social climber-at the service of one's own social camp. The concept also 
sheds interesting light on the role of intellectuals within the 
anarchist movement. The collection contextualizes this role through the 
lives of key figures (such as Albert Thierry and Mikhail Bakunin) and 
outlines the debates regarding the place of intellectuals in the 
struggle-debates that have long stirred the anarchist movement. 
Regardless of whether one agrees with the various viewpoints presented, 
every text invites reflection. At a time when our societies seem 
increasingly atomized, evaluating one's choices against the yardstick of 
collective achievements is a healthy exercise.

Furthermore, Nada Éditions has announced the September 2026 publication 
of a new collection dedicated to the writings of Albert Thierry-a 
schoolteacher, revolutionary syndicalist, and anarchist-who coined the 
phrase: "Refusing to 'get ahead' means neither refusing to act nor 
refusing to live; it means refusing to live and act for oneself and for 
one's own ends. Refusing to 'get ahead' means renouncing wealth, social 
authority, leisure, luxury, self-indulgence, and false love."

Julien (Friend of AL)

Centre international de recherches sur l'anarchisme de Lausanne, 
*Refuser de parvenir*, Nada, 2026, 192 pages, 12 euros.

https://www.unioncommunistelibertaire.org/?Lire-CIRA-Refuser-de-parvenir
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