Introduction

This introductory chapter provides a brief background of anarchism. The competing varieties of anarchism endeavor to reconcile the seemingly conflicting claims of individual autonomy and collective struggle. Despite significant differences between the classical anarchists, the term “communal individuality” allows one to recognize affinities between the evolving connotations of anarchy embedded in the works — and deeds — of Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, Mikhail Bakunin, and Peter Kropotkin. In addition, a productive tension between individuality and communal solidarity fuels the fascinatingly contradictory work of two thinkers sometimes not considered part of mainstream anarchism — William Godwin and Max Stirner. In the years since the first edition of this book was published in 1999, the so-called “post-anarchist” turn has posed a challenge, in both activist and academic circles, to the canonical anarchism of Proudhon, Bakunin, and Kropotkin. The book focuses on links between anarchist self-activity and films that not only reflect, but often actively promote, workplace resistance, anarchist pedagogy, and anti-statist insurrections. It also broadens the definition of “anarchist cinema” to include discussion of films not made and produced by anarchists.

PETER KROPOTKIN, THE PARTICIPATION OF ENLIGHTENED LEADERS OF EASTERN SIBERIA IN THE PREPARATION OF REFORMS IN THE EARLY 1860S

The article gives an interpretation of the views of Peter Kropotkin on the reform process in Russia in the late 1850s and the early 1860s and his ideas about the role of the provincial administration of Eastern Siberia in the preparation of the reforms. The novelty of the research lies in the analysis of Peter Kropotkin’s judgements about the perception and implementation of the reformist plans of ministries by the provincial administration, which was the most important link in the mechanism of the transformation of society. Peter Kropotkin was an active participant in this preparatory work in Chita Province and knew all the persons involved in it, therefore his testimonies and judgements are of interest for historical science. Historiography has not sufficiently studied the problem of perception by the participants of the transformations in the provinces of the course of practical implementation of the reforms conceived by the central government, in particular in Eastern Siberia. The article analyses the way of thinking of Peter Kropotkin in 1857-1863, reproduces the characteristics given by Peter Kropotkin to the governors of Eastern Siberia, his judgements about their participation in the preparation of projects of transformations in this region, we also analyse the forms of interaction of the provincial administration with the local community, interpreted Peter Kropotkin’s views on the reasons for the turn of power to reaction in the early 1860s and on the results of the transformations.

THE IDEOLOGICAL LEGACY OF PYOTR KROPOTKIN IN THE CONTEXT OF MODERN-DAY REGIONALISM

The article aims to find the constructive conceptual elements in the ideas of the anarchist theorist Peter Kropotkin which are suitable for resolving one of the fundamental contradictions of the modern world - the impossibility of an effective state-legal solution to many of the conflicts between states and their regions. This seemingly dead end conflict lies primarily in the internal contradiction of the original international legal document: the UN Charter. The article analyzes the views of Kropotkin on the problem of confrontation of communal and imperial beginnings throughout human history. Kropotkin’s ideas are noted for their potential productivity in the theoretical analysis and practical resolution of modern territorial conflicts on the basis of reforming international law. The concept of “regional sovereignty” is introduced into the terminological context.