How did we get here? on Nostr: If you're not already a student of anarchism, then you probably have some very ...

If you're not already a student of anarchism, then you probably have some very negative ideas about "anarchy" or anarchism. It is beyond the scope of this project to mount a comprehensive defense or explanation of anarchism, but we also don't want to leave you hanging without some guideposts towards further understanding.

Some recent essays (from 2025):

You may already be an anarchist
https://theslowburningfuse.wordpress.com/2025/12/05/you-may-already-be-an-anarchist-3/

Become an Anarchist or Forever Hold Your Peace
https://crimethinc.com/2025/02/21/become-an-anarchist-or-forever-hold-your-peace

Here are a couple popular introductions:

"Are You An Anarchist? The Answer May Surprise You!"
by David Graeber
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/david-graeber-are-you-an-anarchist-the-answer-may-surprise-you

"To Change Everything"
https://crimethinc.com/tce

A site about TV tropes is an unexpected place to find it, but here is a pretty decent and thorough overview of anarchist theory and history. It describes different tendencies and schools of thought within anarchism. I might have some quibbles, and any given anarchist is likely to disagree with some parts, but overall it's both very well-informed and very informative:
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/UsefulNotes/Anarchism

Here are some pieces dealing with specific common concerns about anarchism:

HeavenlyPossum (npub1s02…zz9t) on Anarchism and Leadership
https://kolektiva.social/@HeavenlyPossum/113103845709064779

Ask an Anarchist
A good collection of thoughts and links from the Neighborhood Anarchist Collective's website:
https://neighborhoodanarchists.org/ask-an-anarchist/
NAC on Mastodon: Neighborhood Anarchist Collect (npub163y…dcf8)

Anarchists Are Not Naive About Human Nature
https://archive.ph/k9R2T

Anarchism and a moneyless economy
(not all anarchists would agree with all the ideas in this essay, but it makes some good points and clarifications about the anarchist perspective and alternatives to capitalist economics)
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/alan-macsimoin-anarchism-and-a-moneyless-economy

The Conspiracy of Law by Howard Zinn
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/howard-zinn-the-conspiracy-of-law

Anarchism and Democracy
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/zoe-baker-anarchism-and-democracy

David Graeber on democracy:
There Never Was a West
Or, Democracy Emerges From the Spaces In Between
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/david-graeber-there-never-was-a-west

Here is a different take on democracy. This book is not really an introductory sort of text, more like internal anarchist discourse, but as such it offers revealing insights into actual anarchist ideas, practices and experiences. Featuring many fascinating examples and analysis from recent history, grounding it in real life struggle, not just theory.
FROM DEMOCRACY TO FREEDOM
The Difference Between Government and Self-Determination
https://crimethinc.com/books/from-democracy-to-freedom
Free PDF: https://cdn.crimethinc.com/assets/books/from-democracy-to-freedom/from-democracy-to-freedom_screen_single_page_view.pdf

Here is a rich survey of anarchistic principles and practices in action in the real world, past and present:
ANARCHY WORKS by Peter Gelderloos
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/peter-gelderloos-anarchy-works

For further research here is a very good reading list ranging from basic introductions to specialized aspects and history of anarchism:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KDEM4AzinLVFQZGDljFriiMwWFn73IIIlp26LwEasK0/edit

30/30
But wait, there's more! Continue exploring the following appendices...