Reform

This chapter briefly explores anarchist views about the concept of reform. These include the discussions of both anarchist identity and anarchist practice. The most pervasive understanding of anarchist identity is a simple one: an anarchist is a revolutionary. The image of the anarchist in popular culture remains that of the revolutionary activist, poised to throw the brick or bomb that would draw the battle lines and call the masses to action. Anarchist practice is built upon a preference for self-directed action, for cooperation without hierarchy or domination, for a prefigurative politics. More so than most ideological traditions, it encourages people to take matters into their own hands, to engage in direct action, to advance the cause through various forms of "propaganda of the deed". The chapter then considers the tensions between reform and revolution in the context of two recent debates within the North American anarchist community. They are marriage equality and incarceration.