Attack the System: Anarchist Strategies for a Decentralized Future
The modern world is shaped by complex systems of centralized power, including nation-states, multinational corporations, and economic institutions that exert significant control over individuals and communities. The Attack the System (ATS) movement is an anarchist framework that critiques these forms of dominance and seeks to dismantle centralized structures by building alliances across diverse, often marginalized, groups. ATS envisions a decentralized world of autonomous communities free from the grip of capitalist consumerism, environmental degradation, and political hierarchy. This vision is further enriched by the ideas in bolo'bolo, a novel by P.M. that proposes a system of self-sustaining communities—bolos—as the foundation of a liberated, sustainable society.
In examining the compatibility between bolo'bolo and ATS, this essay explores how anarchists can connect with various constituent groups, from anti-globalists to environmental activists, by promoting autonomy, self-sufficiency, and community-driven solutions. By understanding bolo'bolo as a prototype for decentralized living, ATS-aligned anarchists can forge alliances across a wide spectrum of social and political movements. This essay will illustrate how ATS can apply bolo'bolo’s principles to build a movement rooted in mutual aid, ecological sustainability, and genuine autonomy.
Understanding bolo'bolo: A Vision for Decentralized Autonomy
Bolo'bolo, a novel published by Swiss author P.M., presents a utopian framework based on small, autonomous communities called bolos, each designed to function independently while cooperating with others through mutual aid. The bolo'bolo model critiques centralized capitalist societies, which exploit both human labor and natural resources, leading to alienation and ecological crisis. Instead of a globalized system dominated by elite interests, bolo'bolo proposes a mosaic of self-sufficient, sustainable communities that prioritize human and ecological well-being.
In the bolo'bolo framework, each bolo functions as a micro-society that determines its own values, economic practices, and social structures, fostering a deep sense of local identity and autonomy. Communities are encouraged to adapt to the needs of their specific environment, promoting sustainable practices that reduce dependence on mass consumerism. In addition, bolo'bolo emphasizes degrowth—an economic philosophy that advocates for reducing consumption and prioritizing well-being over profit—aligning with ATS’s critique of capitalist economies. Together, ATS and bolo'bolo offer a blueprint for rethinking society, emphasizing small-scale, autonomous communities over centralized, hierarchical systems.
ATS and Potential Constituent Groups
For ATS to realize its decentralized vision, it must engage with a wide variety of constituent groups that share an interest in autonomy, self-governance, or resistance to centralized power. ATS recognizes that potential allies exist across a broad ideological spectrum, from left-wing anti-capitalists to right-wing decentralists, who are united by their shared opposition to the existing order. By identifying issues that resonate with each group, ATS can form coalitions around common goals, enabling the establishment of bolo'-like communities in diverse settings. Below are 100 groups that ATS could engage with, categorized based on their alignment with autonomy, environmentalism, social justice, or alternative economic structures.
Antiwar Activists - Disillusioned by imperialism and military interventions, this group aligns with ATS’s anti-statist perspective by opposing the military-industrial complex.
Civil Liberties Advocates - Concerned with preserving freedom of speech, privacy, and expression, these individuals support a decentralized society that limits government surveillance.
Environmentalists - Deep ecologists, primitivists, and conservationists can align with ATS’s sustainable approach by advocating for eco-friendly, decentralized communities.
Libertarians - This group values limited government intervention and personal freedom, supporting ATS’s decentralized approach to governance.
Mutual Aid Networks - Focused on community-based support systems, mutual aid networks share ATS’s emphasis on direct action and self-sufficiency.
Countercultural Youth - Young people disillusioned with mainstream consumer culture may find solidarity in ATS’s alternative vision for society.
Racial Minority Nationalists - These groups seek cultural and economic self-determination, aligning with ATS’s emphasis on autonomy.
LGBTQ+ Anarchists - Seeking liberation beyond mainstream politics, LGBTQ+ anarchists may be drawn to ATS’s vision of decentralized, inclusive communities.
Pro-Second Amendment Activists - Advocating for individual rights to self-defense, this group may align with ATS’s resistance to centralized state authority.
Tech Privacy Advocates - Opposed to mass surveillance, these advocates support decentralized technology solutions and data privacy.
Crypto and Privacy Tech Advocates - They can support ATS’s economic vision through decentralized financial systems, reducing reliance on centralized banks.
Religious Separatists - Groups like Christian anarchists and others desiring freedom in religious practice align with ATS’s focus on cultural autonomy.
Urban Underclass - Disenfranchised urban populations face systemic marginalization and could benefit from ATS’s emphasis on local empowerment.
Freelancers and Gig Workers - Often economically precarious, this group would benefit from alternative economic arrangements that ATS promotes.
Drug Policy Reformers - Advocating for decriminalization, this group opposes the state’s punitive role, aligning with ATS’s anti-statist goals.
Prison Abolitionists - This group supports alternatives to incarceration and aligns with ATS’s opposition to the prison-industrial complex.
Psychiatric Survivors - Those advocating for autonomy in mental health care oppose forced treatments, aligning with ATS’s views on individual autonomy.
Anti-Globalization Activists - Opposed to corporate dominance, these individuals support ATS’s call for localism and decentralized economies.
Zionist and Non-Zionist Jewish Autonomists - Exploring Jewish identity beyond state-based models, they align with ATS’s emphasis on cultural self-determination.
Ethnic Separatists - Examples include the Kurds and Catalans who seek self-determination, aligning with ATS’s goal of autonomy for distinct communities.
Feminists Opposed to Corporate Feminism - Radical feminists focused on structural equality share ATS’s anti-hierarchical approach.
Student Debt Activists - Burdened by educational debt, these individuals could support ATS’s critique of capitalist economic structures.
Rural Populists - Politically alienated rural communities may align with ATS’s vision of local autonomy and self-sufficiency.
Veterans Disillusioned by War - Former soldiers disillusioned by state-sponsored violence may find purpose in ATS’s anti-imperialist stance.
Immigrant and Refugee Advocates - These groups fight for rights and support for displaced individuals, aligning with ATS’s social justice principles.
Small Farmers - Opposed to industrial agriculture, small farmers can benefit from ATS’s focus on local, sustainable economies.
Advocates of the Commons - Those supporting collective resource management align with ATS’s community-based economic model.
Independent Indigenous Advocates - Indigenous groups fighting for self-determination align closely with ATS’s vision for cultural autonomy.
Sex Worker Rights Advocates - Promoting the decriminalization and autonomy of sex work, this group supports ATS’s stance on individual choice and autonomy.
Alternative Economic Activists - These groups support non-monetary economies, sharing ATS’s vision for sustainable community-based practices.
Anti-Technology Advocates - Neo-Luddites and those critical of technological dependency align with ATS’s environmental and sustainable goals.
Right-to-Repair Advocates - These individuals promote ownership rights and independence from corporate repair policies, reflecting ATS’s anti-corporate stance.
Local Currency Supporters - Backing regional currencies, these advocates align with ATS’s decentralized economic vision.
Public Banking Advocates - Seeking local financial solutions, these individuals support ATS’s efforts to reduce reliance on corporate finance.
Homeless Advocates - Supporting marginalized communities, these advocates align with ATS’s mission to empower society’s most vulnerable.
Health Freedom Advocates - Those seeking autonomy in health treatments oppose state intervention, sharing ATS’s values of personal autonomy.
Inclusive Housing Advocates - Supporting affordable housing and community land trusts, these individuals align with ATS’s social justice goals.
Black Separatists - Seeking autonomy for Black communities, this group shares ATS’s anti-racist and self-determination principles.
Community Policing Activists - These advocates seek local alternatives to traditional policing, aligning with ATS’s decentralized approach to justice.
Rural Development Advocates - Promoting rural resilience, this group aligns with ATS’s emphasis on local autonomy and sustainability.
Intentional Communities - Organized residential groups focused on shared values and communal living align with ATS’s vision of cooperative, self-sustaining communities.
Cyber Privacy Advocates - Concerned with data privacy and surveillance, these activists align with ATS’s anti-state and anti-corporate perspectives.
Neighborhood Associations - Local groups advocating for greater community control over urban development align with ATS’s emphasis on localized autonomy.
Youth-Led Climate Justice Groups - These activists are critical of the state’s inaction on climate issues, resonating with ATS’s environmental stance.
Inclusive Housing Advocates - They promote accessible, affordable housing and community-controlled land, reflecting ATS’s social justice priorities.
DIY and Maker Communities - Encouraging self-sufficiency and innovation, these groups reflect ATS’s values of autonomy and creativity.
Third-Party Political Movements - Advocates of alternatives to the two-party system align with ATS’s broader goals of political pluralism.
Decentralized Tech Activists - Building alternatives to Big Tech, these individuals align with ATS’s opposition to monopolies and centralization.
Restorative Justice Advocates - Promoting non-punitive justice systems, they align with ATS’s focus on community-based solutions.
Animal Rights Activists - Advocating for the ethical treatment of animals, these individuals align with ATS’s emphasis on reducing exploitation and cruelty.
To shift away from neoliberalism—a political and economic paradigm characterized by free-market capitalism, privatization, deregulation, and a focus on individualism over collective well-being—anarchists aligned with Attack the System (ATS) must build alliances that transcend ideological divides. Engaging with the 100 groups mentioned, anarchists can promote a vision of decentralized, community-focused autonomy and collective empowerment by connecting with these groups in meaningful ways. Here’s a strategic breakdown of how anarchists can go about fostering these connections to spark a paradigm shift from neoliberalism:
1. Identify Shared Grievances to Establish Common Ground
Economic Exploitation: Many of these groups—labor activists, small farmers, freelancers, gig workers, and student debt activists—suffer from neoliberal policies that prioritize corporate interests over individual livelihoods. Anarchists can highlight these economic struggles and advocate for alternative models like cooperatives, mutual aid, and collective ownership.
Environmental Degradation: Environmentalists, youth-led climate justice groups, and anti-globalization activists share a deep concern for the unsustainable practices of neoliberalism. Anarchists can partner with these groups to promote degrowth, local agriculture, and community-supported farming as alternatives to capitalist consumerism.
Erosion of Civil Liberties: Civil liberties advocates, tech privacy activists, and cyber privacy advocates are concerned about state and corporate surveillance. By collaborating on privacy rights campaigns and promoting decentralized technologies, anarchists can demonstrate the failures of neoliberal policies to protect individual freedoms.
2. Promote Local Autonomy as an Alternative to Corporate Control
Decentralized Economies: By organizing workshops on local currencies, public banking, and cooperative ownership models, anarchists can offer practical examples of how communities can reclaim economic power from centralized corporations. This resonates with groups like mutual aid networks, local currency advocates, and community land trusts.
Support Intentional and Self-Sufficient Communities: Intentional communities, DIY/maker communities, and rural development advocates often aspire to reduce dependency on external systems. Anarchists can share resources and experiences on creating cooperative housing, local economies, and self-governed spaces that reduce reliance on neoliberal structures.
Create Community Infrastructure: For groups struggling under neoliberal urban policies—such as neighborhood associations, renters’ unions, and urban underclass organizations—anarchists can assist in building local councils and networks that prioritize community needs, promote equitable housing, and ensure local voices in decision-making.
3. Develop Educational Initiatives to Reframe Perceptions
Workshops and Skill-Sharing: Anarchists can organize workshops that share practical skills in permaculture, cooperative business practices, digital privacy, and mutual aid. By inviting various community groups, such as anti-technology advocates, survivalists, and tech privacy activists, anarchists provide actionable insights that underscore the flaws of neoliberal dependence.
Promote Anti-Capitalist Education: Engaging with groups like students, academics, and independent journalists, anarchists can develop alternative education programs and resources that challenge neoliberal narratives in economics, history, and civics. These could take the form of public reading groups, alternative media, and online courses.
Localized Media and Journalism: Anarchists can partner with independent media collectives to provide news and analysis through a decentralized, community-driven lens. This will attract independent journalists, youth activists, and those concerned with corporate media’s influence, supporting media independence from neoliberal agendas.
4. Build Coalitions Focused on Social and Economic Justice
Establish Broad Mutual Aid Networks: Anarchists can create mutual aid networks that span diverse constituencies, including the homeless, sex worker rights advocates, and marginalized racial minorities. These networks provide essential resources, encourage collective resilience, and demonstrate the power of community over corporate dependency.
Engage with Faith-Based and Cultural Communities: Anarchists should reach out to religious and cultural groups, such as Christian anarchists, indigenous advocates, and black separatists, to build coalitions based on shared values of autonomy and self-determination. By emphasizing the universal appeal of justice and freedom, anarchists can create inclusive, culturally sensitive networks.
Support Identity-Based Organizing: Engaging with identity groups—such as LGBTQ+ anarchists, women’s rights activists, and disability advocates—anarchists can develop inclusive organizing spaces that oppose neoliberal individualism. Collaborative projects that celebrate diversity while opposing economic marginalization foster unity across identity lines.
5. Focus on Direct Action Campaigns Targeting Neoliberal Systems
Target Corporate and Financial Power Structures: Through coordinated protests, boycotts, and divestment campaigns, anarchists and allies can challenge the legitimacy of corporations that benefit from neoliberal policies. These actions appeal to anti-globalization activists, alternative economic advocates, and labor union dissidents who seek systemic change.
Occupy and Transform Public Spaces: Occupations and protest camps are effective ways to engage activists, students, and urban underclass groups in actions that reclaim space from corporate influence. Anarchists can turn these events into teach-ins, communal living demonstrations, and public forums that critique neoliberal urban policies.
Promote Prison Abolition and Criminal Justice Reform: Anarchists can support prison abolitionists, restorative justice advocates, and anti-police brutality movements through direct actions and reform campaigns. This approach demonstrates neoliberalism’s failure to create equitable justice systems, building solidarity among those marginalized by punitive policies.
6. Strengthen Solidarity by Practicing Paradoxical Thinking
Embrace Diverse Ideologies: ATS emphasizes inclusivity, respecting the ideological diversity within and beyond anarchism. By welcoming paradoxical ideas, anarchists can connect with groups ranging from transhumanists to paleo-conservatives, demonstrating that shared goals outweigh ideological differences.
Foster Dialogue Across the Political Spectrum: Recognizing that many anti-neoliberal positions come from both left and right perspectives, anarchists can bridge divides through open forums, online spaces, and town halls where ideas are shared respectfully. Engaging with libertarians, right-to-repair advocates, and gun rights activists allows anarchists to expand ATS’s reach.
Challenge Neoliberal Individualism with Community-Oriented Solutions: Anarchists can work alongside conservative populists, rural advocates, and family-centered communities to foster an ethos of collective responsibility. Building family support networks, local food cooperatives, and shared childcare initiatives show the tangible benefits of cooperation.
7. Develop Decentralized Communication Channels
Utilize Privacy-Focused Technology: To counter mass surveillance and data harvesting, anarchists can collaborate with cyber privacy activists and crypto advocates to create secure communication networks. These platforms allow communities to organize freely without fear of surveillance, reinforcing the importance of autonomy in digital spaces.
Promote Peer-to-Peer Networks for Information Exchange: Decentralized media platforms allow independent journalists, freethinkers, and activists to share information without reliance on corporate channels. Anarchists can support these platforms, encouraging diverse groups to bypass mainstream media and strengthen community news sources.
Create a Resource Directory of Allied Groups: An online directory of participating groups, categorized by interest, location, and expertise, would facilitate cross-collaboration. This resource can help connect environmentalists, privacy advocates, and cultural groups with resources and campaigns aligned with ATS’s decentralized values.
8. Foster Intergenerational and Cross-Cultural Solidarity
Engage Youth and Elders Alike: Anarchists can emphasize the importance of preserving knowledge while promoting youth-led movements. Workshops on permaculture, history, and mutual aid can integrate elder wisdom with younger perspectives, bringing together rural populists, alternative medicine advocates, and survivalists.
Incorporate Indigenous and Cultural Perspectives: Indigenous groups, Afrocentrists, and cultural nationalists can offer rich insights into community-based living and self-sufficiency. Anarchists can actively seek guidance from these groups, incorporating cultural values and sustainability practices as foundational aspects of the anti-neoliberal movement.
Celebrate Cultural Festivals and Events in Solidarity: Participating in cultural and religious events builds trust and bridges divides. Anarchists can show solidarity by joining events hosted by ethnic minorities, faith-based communities, and indigenous groups, demonstrating a commitment to cultural preservation and community autonomy.
A paradigm shift away from neoliberalism requires a broad coalition that transcends traditional political boundaries, recognizes the value of diverse cultural perspectives, and champions autonomy and collective well-being. By fostering alliances with these 100 potential constituencies, anarchists aligned with Attack the System can build a movement that champions community resilience, ecological sustainability, and freedom from centralized authority. Utilizing the bolo'bolo model as a practical blueprint, anarchists can inspire communities to prioritize autonomy and cooperation over consumerism and corporate dominance.
This shift necessitates an emphasis on mutual aid, community-led initiatives, and cross-cultural solidarity that exposes neoliberalism’s inadequacies and highlights the benefits of a decentralized future. Through direct action, education, and paradoxical engagement, ATS-aligned anarchists can connect with groups that share the vision of a world built on shared resources, ecological preservation, and true freedom. As these alliances grow and strengthen, the foundation for a decentralized, cooperative society beyond neoliberalism becomes increasingly attainable.
Realizing a broad coalition-based shift away from neoliberalism faces significant barriers, from ideological differences and structural limitations to social stigmas and legal challenges. Here is an analysis of these barriers and potential strategies to overcome them.
1. Ideological Fragmentation
Barrier: Many of the groups identified have divergent ideologies and may distrust each other or view anarchists with skepticism. For example, left-leaning environmentalists may view right-leaning libertarians as adversaries, and vice versa.
Solution: Anarchists can use what Attack the System calls “paradoxical thinking”—recognizing that diverse perspectives can still align under a common cause. By emphasizing shared values (e.g., autonomy, anti-authoritarianism, and local governance), they can encourage groups to find common ground. Hosting neutral forums and workshops, both online and in person, allows groups to engage in respectful discussions, breaking down misconceptions and fostering mutual understanding.
2. Dependence on State and Corporate Systems
Barrier: Many people rely on state and corporate institutions for essential services, like healthcare, education, and income. This reliance often undermines efforts toward autonomy and self-sufficiency.
Solution: Developing robust, community-based alternatives is crucial. Anarchists can work to establish local mutual aid networks, cooperative business ventures, and health collectives that provide tangible benefits. Demonstrating the effectiveness of these systems, particularly during times of crisis, builds trust and shows the value of community over dependence on external systems. Incrementally transitioning to decentralized solutions allows people to see the benefits of autonomy gradually.
3. Resource and Funding Constraints
Barrier: Building and sustaining community initiatives without corporate or state funding can be challenging. Community-based efforts often struggle financially compared to well-funded neoliberal structures.
Solution: Anarchists can develop decentralized financing models, such as crowdfunding, local currencies, and mutual credit systems. Building coalitions with groups like cryptocurrency advocates and local currency supporters also provides alternative avenues for resource sharing. In the longer term, establishing cooperatives and self-sustaining enterprises within the movement can help generate funds independently.
4. Legal and Regulatory Obstacles
Barrier: Many anarchist and autonomous projects may face legal restrictions, such as zoning laws that prevent collective housing or farming regulations that impede local food sovereignty. These laws are often designed to favor corporate interests over grassroots community initiatives.
Solution: Legal advocacy is essential. Engaging with lawyers, legal aid organizations, and groups experienced in rights-based activism can help challenge restrictive regulations. Additionally, anarchists can learn from indigenous and environmental movements that have successfully used legal loopholes to establish autonomous zones and land trusts. Collaborating with sympathetic local governments may also help protect these initiatives.
5. Surveillance and Suppression by the State
Barrier: Governments often view anti-establishment groups and movements with suspicion, leading to surveillance, infiltration, and suppression of anarchist activities. This can intimidate potential allies and dissuade participation.
Solution: Emphasizing digital privacy and secure communication can protect participants and ensure the continuity of projects. Anarchists can collaborate with privacy advocates to build secure platforms for organizing and communication. Additionally, maintaining transparency about nonviolent aims and highlighting the peaceful, community-oriented nature of projects can reduce the perception of threat and attract allies who may otherwise be hesitant.
6. Cultural and Social Stigma
Barrier: Anarchist ideas often carry a stigma in mainstream society, where anarchism is frequently misunderstood as synonymous with chaos or violence. This misconception can alienate potential allies or make it difficult to garner public support.
Solution: A concerted public education effort, including social media campaigns, public forums, and community events, can help change perceptions. Anarchists can highlight historical and present-day examples of successful anarchist projects and focus on the cooperative, community-building aspects of their initiatives. Additionally, emphasizing shared goals with more mainstream causes—such as environmental conservation, labor rights, or anti-surveillance efforts—can help bridge the cultural divide.
7. Internal Disagreements and Infighting
Barrier: The anarchist movement itself is highly diverse, encompassing a range of ideologies that sometimes conflict. This diversity can lead to infighting and prevent cohesive action.
Solution: Anarchists can adopt a “big tent” approach that values diverse perspectives without requiring ideological conformity. By prioritizing goals (such as autonomy, mutual aid, and community resilience) over strict adherence to specific doctrines, they can reduce internal divisions. Encouraging open dialogue and focusing on achievable, practical projects can help unify different factions within the movement.
8. Social Conditioning and Individualism
Barrier: Neoliberalism promotes individualism and self-interest, often making it difficult to foster a culture of collective action and mutual aid. Many people may be hesitant to embrace a communal approach after years of social conditioning.
Solution: Anarchists can focus on demonstrating the benefits of collective action through example. Small, successful community projects that improve local quality of life can serve as proof of concept. Encouraging incremental involvement—such as volunteering in a community garden or participating in a skill-sharing event—allows people to experience the rewards of mutual aid without needing to fully abandon individualistic values initially.
9. Resistance to Change and Comfort with the Status Quo
Barrier: Many people, even if critical of neoliberalism, may be reluctant to abandon familiar structures or practices. Fear of the unknown and comfort with the status quo can inhibit engagement.
Solution: Anarchists can promote change through gradualism, showing people that transitioning to decentralized alternatives does not require abandoning all aspects of their current lives. For instance, they can encourage people to experiment with small cooperative projects or to use local currencies on a limited basis. By making alternative lifestyles accessible and flexible, anarchists can help people become more open to larger systemic changes.
10. Lack of Media Representation and Platform Censorship
Barrier: Mainstream media rarely represents anarchist ideas fairly, and social media platforms can censor content associated with anti-establishment viewpoints.
Solution: Anarchists can work with independent journalists, alternative media platforms, and decentralized social networks to bypass mainstream media and reach a wider audience. Building strong relationships with independent media outlets and creating grassroots channels for content distribution ensures greater visibility and resilience against censorship.
11. Structural and Geographical Challenges
Barrier: Rural and urban areas often have different needs and challenges, which can hinder the ability of a unified movement to address them effectively. Urban communities may struggle with overcrowding and housing, while rural areas may face isolation and lack of resources.
Solution: Developing region-specific strategies allows anarchists to adapt to local circumstances. For example, rural initiatives might focus on land sovereignty and sustainable farming, while urban initiatives prioritize affordable housing and community-owned businesses. Building networks of regional organizers can create a cohesive but flexible structure that supports diverse local needs.
Overcoming Barriers
By addressing these barriers through targeted strategies, anarchists aligned with Attack the System can effectively build alliances and foster decentralized community resilience. Emphasizing practical solutions, fostering mutual respect across ideological boundaries, and demonstrating tangible benefits of autonomy and mutual aid will be key to overcoming resistance, building trust, and achieving long-term sustainability. With consistent engagement, education, and solidarity, the path to a decentralized, community-focused movement that transcends neoliberalism becomes increasingly achievable.