Anarcho-syndicalism, a theory and practice of working class revolution, was developed not by scholars working in libraries but by the workers themselves. The anarcho-syndicalist movement of the 20th century extended to all the industrialized countries of the world and even agricultural regions. This was not a fringe phenomenon but involved millions of workers. Mainstream labor unions and social-democratic parties have become increasingly powerless to protect the gains of workers. In this situation, anarcho-syndicalism--the revolutionary, non-authoritarian alternative to reformism--is again on the agenda. This critical study of anarcho-syndicalism in the last century reveals a history of struggle which has often been neglected but holds many valuable lessons for the present.

Before communism, anarchism and syndicalism were central to labour and the Left in the colonial and postcolonial world.Using studies from Africa,Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, this groundbreaking volume examines the revolutionary libertarian Left's class politics and anti-colonialism in the first globalization and imperialism(1870/1930).

The First World War was a painful ordeal for anarchists and revolutionary syndicalists. Preventing its onset, as they had planned, proved beyond their means. The anarchist movement was too weak, and the syndicalists--too disunited --to organize a general anti-militarist strike. The impotence of ideologically "neutral" syndicalism and the growth of revolutionary sentiment during the war among the labouring masses (as predicted by the anarchists) made changes in the syndicalist movement all the more urgent. . . . To many activists it became clear that syndicalism alone is not enough, that you need to connect the self-organized labour movement and direct action with clear revolutionary ideas. The choice in the years of the post-war revolutionary upsurge was between Bolshevism and anarcho-syndicalism. - Vadim Damier

During the early years of the 20th century, the ideas of revolutionary syndicalism developed into a major influence within the world wide trade union movement. This study provides a comparative analysis of the dynamics and trajectory of the syndicalist movement in six countries: France, Spain, Italy, America, Britain and Ireland.

This collection presents exciting new research on the history of anarchist movements and their relation to organised labour, notably revolutionary syndicalism. Bringing together internationally acknowledged authorities as well as younger researchers, all specialists in their field, it ranges across Europe and from the late nineteenth century to the beginnings of the Cold War. National histories are revisited through transnational perspectives—on Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Poland or Europe as a whole—evidencing a great wealth of cross-border interactions and reciprocal influences between regions and countries. Emphasis is also placed on individual activist itineraries—whether of renowned figures such as Errico Malatesta or of lesser-known yet equally fascinating characters, whose trajectories offer fresh perspectives on the complex interplay of regional and national political cultures, evolving political ideologies, activist networks and the individual. The volume will be of interest to specialists working on the history of anarchism and/or trade unionism as well as the political or social history of the countries concerned; but it will also be useful to students and the general reader looking for discussion of the most recent thinking on the historiography of labour and anarchist movements or those wanting a comprehensive overview of the history of syndicalism.

The greatest introduction to Anarchism and anarchist practice ever penned, by one of its' leading theoreticians.