Over at the Anarchist FAQ blog, Iain has a post recognizing the sesquicentennial of the term libertaire, used in 1858 by Joseph Déjacque as the title of his journal, La Libertaire, Journal du Mouvement Social. Déjacque is generally credited with the first use of the term “libertarian” as a synonym for “anarchist.” We’ve learned, as the digital archives grow, to be skeptical of first-use claims, but I’m happy to take a moment to recognize the importance of Déjacque’s contribution. His fascinating mix of anarchism, communism, egoism, and feminism, drawing on the thought of Fourier, Proudhon, Pierre Leroux and others, is deserving of much more attention that it has generally received.
Contr'un
A Good Word: Anarchy in All its Senses
Anarchy, understood in all its senses—I (Proudhon, introduction) Anarchy, understood in all its senses—II (Proudhon, 1839-1841) Joseph Déjacque and the First Emergence of “Anarchism” Libertarian socialist historiography (Gaston Leval, René Berthier) Eliphalet Kimball, “Law, Commerce and Religion” (1862) William J. Gorsuch, “Tags” (1891) Gaston Leval, “Libertarian Socialist! Why?” (1956) “Whatever the carpers may say, the word Anarchy is rapidly vindicating itself. No other word could have given such an impetus to the gospel of Liberty in so short a time.” — Benj. R. Tucker “Anarchy is a good word. It means, ‘without a head.’” — Eliphalet Kimball Every time I […]
Working Translations
Joseph Déjacque, “The Revolutionary Question”
La question révolutionnaire par Joseph Déjacque Notre ennemi, c’est notre maître (La Fontaine) The Revolutionary Question by Joseph Déjacque Our enemy is our master. (La Fontaine) Extrait du journal ” Le Républicain “ 1. La Société de la Montagne nous prie d’insérer la communication suivante : “La Société de la République universelle la Montagne désirant faciliter autant qu’il est en son pouvoir la propagande républicaine, a décidé qu’elle prêterait la salle de ses séances, chaque fois que la demande lui en serait adressée par une société démocratique n’ayant pas de lieu fixe de réunion, ou lorsqu’un citoyen désirerait faire un lecture ayant pour […]
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Proudhon on “libertarians” in 1858
I’ve been working my way through those sections of Proudhon’s Justice in the Revolution and in the Church which I didn’t have to consult carefully while writing the chapter on the State, as the next step towards organizing the Proudhon book. There have been a few moments when I’ve kicked myself for not going back and looking at sections, and more than a few where passages I read through in 2008-9 look very different to me now. There are two studies which I’ve never even begun to really do justice, but, so far, the most interesting surprise has come […]