In this segment of my discussion with anarchist, activist, and writer Peter Gelderloos we discuss his book ’Worshiping Power: An Anarchist View of Early State Formation,’ which examines state formation in societies through out human history. What stands out from this discussion is: 1) there are numerous examples of societies throughout human history that have somewhat fluidly and successfully moved through pre-state, state, and post-state in their structure; 2) the formation of the “state” is not the culmination of human “progress” — this narrative is ultimately the product of chauvinistic and patriarchal forms of thought, an attempt to justify the genocidal current that runs through any defense of the State as the ultimate form of human organization. As Peter demonstrates in this work, the now common view of the State, and our resistance (or lack of) to State power, is tied to these widespread assumptions. The sooner we recognize the faults in that line of thinking, the better off we will be in organizing and adequately expanding our use of tactics in dismantling the State, as well the logic of Capital the State defends and imposes upon us.

Peter Gelderloos is an anarchist and author of numerous books and essays relating to anarchism, organizing resistance to the State, and historical analysis of state formation in human societies. Some of his works include ‘What is Democracy?,’ ‘How Nonviolence Protects the State,’ ‘Anarchy Works,’ ‘The Failure of Nonviolence: From the Arab Spring to Occupy,’ and ‘Worshipping Power: An Anarchist View of Early State Formation.’ Peter currently resides in Spain.

Purchase ‘Worshipping Power: An Anarchist View of Early State Formation’ at AK Press: http://bit.ly/WorshippingPower

This is a segment of episode #166 of Last Born In The Wilderness “How Nonviolence Protects The State: An Analysis Of Early State Formation w/ Peter Gelderloos.” Listen to the full episode: http://bit.ly/LBWgelderloos

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