Konfederatsiya Revolyutsionnikh Anarkho-Sindikalistov
Encyclopedia
Confederation of revolutionary anarcho-syndicalists - the Russian section of the International Workers Association
(AIT), CRAS-IWA. CRAS-IWA is committed to the development of anarchist trade union
movement, so as to enable the transition from modern capitalism
to statefree communism.
The ideological
bases of KAS were not accepted by all of his participants, and this situation led in 1990 to a split of Assotiation of anarchist movements (ADA) from KAS. 5 March 1991, Initiative of revolutionary anarchists (IREAN) was also established. It was the first attempt to create an anarcho-communist counterweight to pro-market KAS. Subsequently, Confederation revolutionary anarcho-syndicalists arose as a continuation of IREAN.
On the Constitutive Congress of CRAS-IWA, several resolutions were adopted: «On the situation in Eastern Europe
and Northern Asia, and our problems», «On the resistance to militarism
», «On the resistance to the fascist
threat», «On the relation to other libertarian
groups» and a number of others.
At the second Congress of CRAS in Gomel (Republic of Belarus), 24–25 August 1996, the earlier-made intention to join the International Workers Association
was confirmed. The delegates at the Congress of IWA of December 1996 were elected. This IWA Congress adopted CRAS as a section of anarcho-syndicalist International. Joining the IWA was ratified at the third Congress of CRAS-IWA 29 August 1997, held in Lviv
(Ukraine
).
The organization publishes a paper and a theoretical journal, distributes leaflets and stickers, occasionally publishes pamphlets and makes graffiti campaigns.
The activists of the Moscow organization of CRAS-IWA provided active support and technical assistance to some strike movements: from these of teachers in Moscow region (1995), of workers at the plant «Rostselmash» (Rostov-on-Don), at machine-building plant in Yasnogorsk
(1999) (the strike was led by general assemblies of workers), of building workers in Moscow (1999) and up to these of "Ford" motor-car workers (2007) and of shop-assistants of "Detsky Mir" store in Moscow`s suburb Khimki
(2009). Aiding to these strikes, the CRAS-IWA members tried to convey to the workers anarcho-syndicalist ideas and tactics.
The members of CRAS-IWA develop big activity distributing the antimilitarist propaganda
. They participated in the actions against the First
and Second Chechen War
s, the war in South Ossetia
(August 2008) and in other anti-war actions.
In Baikalsk, members of CRAS-IWA were initiators of a Inter-professional workers union which was subsequently destroyed by repressions to the End of 1990s.
The members of CRAS-IWA are actively involved in demonstration
s, pickets and other protest actions, promoting experiences, methods and ideas of anarcho-syndicalism
. Since late 2008, activists of CRAS-IWA organize actions against growth of prices.
As a result of general decline of social movements, only the Moscow general unions organization remained in the CRAS-IWA by the end of 2007. In the June 2008, also the Federation of workers in education, science and technics (FRONT) was found. Some internal problems emerging in 2000s culminated in September 2008 when a little group was excluded from CRAS-IWA during a general members referendum for advocating of antisyndicalist and national-anarchist ("ethno-anarchist") ideas.
In the meantime a way out of problems was marked, new people and also new friends of CRAS-IWA outside Moscow region emerged. Now, there are two little union initiatives in CRAS-IWA: FRONT и and new Inter-branch (general) workers union (MOST) organized by ex-MPST members remaining in the CRAS-IWA and by new members. Both are autonomous in the frame of organizational and ideal principles of CRAS and of IWA.
. There are no chiefs and paid functionaries in the organization.
.
CRAS-IWA rejects participation in blocs and coalitions with any political party, but it is ready to cooperate (and it cooperates to the extent possible) with various civic
, social
, professional
, environmental
, and similar initiatives and associations, which seek to protect the social economic and human interests of workers.
It is about interaction in direct protest actions, whose objectives do not contradict the ideal lines of CRAS-IWA.
Also a series of booklets was issued by CRAS-IWA ("Positive program of anarchists" of G. Hadjiev, «What is anarcho-syndicalism?» and some others).
The paper Chornaya Zvezda (Black Star) published by CRAS-IWA in 2003–2008, is now in the hands of splinter group MPST and has no relation with CRAS after 2008.
In books:
International Workers Association
The International Workers' Association is an international federation of anarcho-syndicalist labour unions and initiatives based primarily in Europe and Latin America....
(AIT), CRAS-IWA. CRAS-IWA is committed to the development of anarchist trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
movement, so as to enable the transition from modern capitalism
Capitalism
Capitalism is an economic system that became dominant in the Western world following the demise of feudalism. There is no consensus on the precise definition nor on how the term should be used as a historical category...
to statefree communism.
A Brief History of the CRAS-IWA
Confederation of revolutionary anarcho-syndicalists was established at the founding congress of 5 August 1995, held in Moscow. It was formed in result of long search for ways to develop the anarchist movement in Russia at the turn of 1980-1990 in the former Soviet Union. In 1989–1991, the anarchist movement developed in the frames of Confederation of anarcho-syndicalists (KAS). CRAS-IWA view KAS as a reformist, anti-communist and pro-market organization.The ideological
Ideology
An ideology is a set of ideas that constitutes one's goals, expectations, and actions. An ideology can be thought of as a comprehensive vision, as a way of looking at things , as in common sense and several philosophical tendencies , or a set of ideas proposed by the dominant class of a society to...
bases of KAS were not accepted by all of his participants, and this situation led in 1990 to a split of Assotiation of anarchist movements (ADA) from KAS. 5 March 1991, Initiative of revolutionary anarchists (IREAN) was also established. It was the first attempt to create an anarcho-communist counterweight to pro-market KAS. Subsequently, Confederation revolutionary anarcho-syndicalists arose as a continuation of IREAN.
On the Constitutive Congress of CRAS-IWA, several resolutions were adopted: «On the situation in Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe is the eastern part of Europe. The term has widely disparate geopolitical, geographical, cultural and socioeconomic readings, which makes it highly context-dependent and even volatile, and there are "almost as many definitions of Eastern Europe as there are scholars of the region"...
and Northern Asia, and our problems», «On the resistance to militarism
Militarism
Militarism is defined as: the belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests....
», «On the resistance to the fascist
Fascism
Fascism is a radical authoritarian nationalist political ideology. Fascists seek to rejuvenate their nation based on commitment to the national community as an organic entity, in which individuals are bound together in national identity by suprapersonal connections of ancestry, culture, and blood...
threat», «On the relation to other libertarian
Libertarianism
Libertarianism, in the strictest sense, is the political philosophy that holds individual liberty as the basic moral principle of society. In the broadest sense, it is any political philosophy which approximates this view...
groups» and a number of others.
At the second Congress of CRAS in Gomel (Republic of Belarus), 24–25 August 1996, the earlier-made intention to join the International Workers Association
International Workers Association
The International Workers' Association is an international federation of anarcho-syndicalist labour unions and initiatives based primarily in Europe and Latin America....
was confirmed. The delegates at the Congress of IWA of December 1996 were elected. This IWA Congress adopted CRAS as a section of anarcho-syndicalist International. Joining the IWA was ratified at the third Congress of CRAS-IWA 29 August 1997, held in Lviv
Lviv
Lviv is a city in western Ukraine. The city is regarded as one of the main cultural centres of today's Ukraine and historically has also been a major Polish and Jewish cultural center, as Poles and Jews were the two main ethnicities of the city until the outbreak of World War II and the following...
(Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
).
The organization publishes a paper and a theoretical journal, distributes leaflets and stickers, occasionally publishes pamphlets and makes graffiti campaigns.
The activists of the Moscow organization of CRAS-IWA provided active support and technical assistance to some strike movements: from these of teachers in Moscow region (1995), of workers at the plant «Rostselmash» (Rostov-on-Don), at machine-building plant in Yasnogorsk
Yasnogorsk
Yasnogorsk may refer to:*Yasnogorsk, Tula Oblast, a town in Tula Oblast, Russia*Yasnogorsk, Zabaykalsky Krai, an urban-type settlement in Zabaykalsky Krai, Russia...
(1999) (the strike was led by general assemblies of workers), of building workers in Moscow (1999) and up to these of "Ford" motor-car workers (2007) and of shop-assistants of "Detsky Mir" store in Moscow`s suburb Khimki
Khimki
Khimki is a city in Moscow Oblast, Russia, situated just northwest of Moscow, at the west bank of the Moscow Canal. Population: 207,125 ; 141,000 ; 106,000 ; 23,000 .-History:...
(2009). Aiding to these strikes, the CRAS-IWA members tried to convey to the workers anarcho-syndicalist ideas and tactics.
The members of CRAS-IWA develop big activity distributing the antimilitarist propaganda
Propaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group....
. They participated in the actions against the First
First Chechen War
The First Chechen War, also known as the War in Chechnya, was a conflict between the Russian Federation and the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, fought from December 1994 to August 1996...
and Second Chechen War
Second Chechen War
The Second Chechen War, in a later phase better known as the War in the North Caucasus, was launched by the Russian Federation starting 26 August 1999, in response to the Invasion of Dagestan by the Islamic International Peacekeeping Brigade ....
s, the war in South Ossetia
South Ossetia
South Ossetia or Tskhinvali Region is a disputed region and partly recognized state in the South Caucasus, located in the territory of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast within the former Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic....
(August 2008) and in other anti-war actions.
In Baikalsk, members of CRAS-IWA were initiators of a Inter-professional workers union which was subsequently destroyed by repressions to the End of 1990s.
The members of CRAS-IWA are actively involved in demonstration
Demonstration (people)
A demonstration or street protest is action by a mass group or collection of groups of people in favor of a political or other cause; it normally consists of walking in a mass march formation and either beginning with or meeting at a designated endpoint, or rally, to hear speakers.Actions such as...
s, pickets and other protest actions, promoting experiences, methods and ideas of anarcho-syndicalism
Anarcho-syndicalism
Anarcho-syndicalism is a branch of anarchism which focuses on the labour movement. The word syndicalism comes from the French word syndicat which means trade union , from the Latin word syndicus which in turn comes from the Greek word σύνδικος which means caretaker of an issue...
. Since late 2008, activists of CRAS-IWA organize actions against growth of prices.
As a result of general decline of social movements, only the Moscow general unions organization remained in the CRAS-IWA by the end of 2007. In the June 2008, also the Federation of workers in education, science and technics (FRONT) was found. Some internal problems emerging in 2000s culminated in September 2008 when a little group was excluded from CRAS-IWA during a general members referendum for advocating of antisyndicalist and national-anarchist ("ethno-anarchist") ideas.
In the meantime a way out of problems was marked, new people and also new friends of CRAS-IWA outside Moscow region emerged. Now, there are two little union initiatives in CRAS-IWA: FRONT и and new Inter-branch (general) workers union (MOST) organized by ex-MPST members remaining in the CRAS-IWA and by new members. Both are autonomous in the frame of organizational and ideal principles of CRAS and of IWA.
Ideal base of the Confederation of revolutionary anarcho-syndicalists
Members of CRAS-IWA can`t be persons exploiting the hired labor and members of political partiesPolitical Parties
Political Parties: A Sociological Study of the Oligarchical Tendencies of Modern Democracy is a book by sociologist Robert Michels, published in 1911 , and first introducing the concept of iron law of oligarchy...
. There are no chiefs and paid functionaries in the organization.
.
CRAS-IWA rejects participation in blocs and coalitions with any political party, but it is ready to cooperate (and it cooperates to the extent possible) with various civic
Civic engagement
Civic engagement or civic participation has been defined as "Individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern."-Forms:...
, social
Social
The term social refers to a characteristic of living organisms...
, professional
Professional
A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
, environmental
Environmental movement
The environmental movement, a term that includes the conservation and green politics, is a diverse scientific, social, and political movement for addressing environmental issues....
, and similar initiatives and associations, which seek to protect the social economic and human interests of workers.
It is about interaction in direct protest actions, whose objectives do not contradict the ideal lines of CRAS-IWA.
Publications of CRAS-IWA
Confederation of revolutionary anarcho-syndicalists publishes paper "Pryamoye Deystviye" ("Direct Action") (since 1994, some time in the past in the form of a theoretical review) and the magazine "Libertarnaya Mysl" ("Libertarian thought") (from the end of 2008). In addition, during a few years after 1998, bulletin «The new workers movement» was published.Also a series of booklets was issued by CRAS-IWA ("Positive program of anarchists" of G. Hadjiev, «What is anarcho-syndicalism?» and some others).
The paper Chornaya Zvezda (Black Star) published by CRAS-IWA in 2003–2008, is now in the hands of splinter group MPST and has no relation with CRAS after 2008.
Some references in the media and the press(in Russian)
In the media:- В Москве появились граффити против повышения цен на проезд: 5.01.2009 In Moscow, graffiti against the rising of transport prices: 5.01.2009
- Зайцы, клоуны и деды морозы — против повышения цен Rabbits, clowns and Santa Clauses - against rising prices
- Клоуны призывают помочь московским чиновникам жить еще лучше Clowns called on Moscow to help officials live even better
- Не забудем! — шествие памяти Маркелова и Бабуровой 20.01.2009 Do not forget - the march of memory of Markelov and Baburova 20.01.2009
- Рублев Д. Российские анархисты. Сегодня, здесь, сейчас Rublyov D. Russian anarchists. Today, here, now
- Троцкист — это не ругательство Trotskyites - it does not foul
- Чертановская милиция против «Неволи» Police of Chertanovo against «Nevolya»
In books:
- Бученков Д. Е. Анархисты в России в конце XX века. — М.: Книжный дом «ЛИБРОКОМ», 2009. - Buchenkov D. Anarchists in Russia at the end of 20th century. - M.: Book house «LIBROKOM», 2009.
- Тарасов А. Н., Черкасов Г. Ю., Шавшукова Т. В. Левые в России: от умеренных до экстремистов. — М.: Институт экспериментальной социологии, 1997 г. ISBN 5-87637-006-1 Tarasov AN, Cherkasov G. Yu, T. Shavshukova left in Russia: from moderate to extremist. - M.: Institute for Experimental Sociology, 1997 ISBN 5-87637-006-1 ISBN 5-87637-006-1
- Тарасов А. Н. Революция не всерьез. Штудии по теории и истории квазиреволюционных движений. — М.: Ультра. Культура, 2005 г. ISBN 5-9681-0067-2 - Tarasov A.N. revolution not seriously. Study on the theory and history of quasi-revolutionary movements. - M.: Ultra. Culture, 2005, ISBN 5-9681-0067-2