Exploring the Anarchist Lexicon

To celebrate the publication of the English language translation of 
Daniel Colson’s A Little Philosophical Lexicon of Anarchism from 
Proudhon to Deleuze, Anarchist Studies is bringing you a series of 
articles that respond to this ‘provocative exploration of hidden 
affinities and genealogies in anarchist thought’.

The first is by Teresa Xavier Fernandes, who, in response to Colson’s 
identification of anarchism as a ‘radical critique of representation’, 
unpacks Nietzsche’s conception of representation as a ‘lie’. In her 
Nietzschean typology of ‘liars’ Fernandes identifies the anarchist as a 
‘faker’ who reminds us that representation is a trap.

The Concept of Representation: Is This a Trap?
https://anarchiststudies.noblogs.org/article-the-concept-of-representation-is-this-a-trap/

The second in the series is by Iwona Janicka, who picks up on Colson’s 
reference to Gabriel Tarde to discuss the role of imitation in shaping 
behavior. She points to the inherently mimetic aspects of anarchism, as 
exemplified in anarchist housing co-operatives and other intentional 
communities.

Gabriel Tarde and the Anarchist Contgion
https://anarchiststudies.noblogs.org/article-gabriel-tarde-and-the-anarchist-contagion/

Nathan Jun discusses Colson’s consideration of the term ‘anarchism’ 
itself. Colson argues that the contemporary drive to taxonomically 
classify ‘anarchism’ negates the ‘infinity of manners’ which the 
anarchist project ought to encompass. Jun, however, points to the 
potential for meaninglessness in leaving the term completely open.

A Few Thoughts on Colson’s Lexicon
https://anarchiststudies.noblogs.org/article-a-few-thoughts-on-colsons-lexicon/

Finally, Roger Farr offers ‘affinity’ as a path to follow between the 
Lexicon’s terms, and ruminates on Colson’s own use of the term 
‘affinity’ as a potential first step.

The Affinity for Affinity, or How to Read the Lexicon
https://anarchiststudies.noblogs.org/article-the-affinity-for-affinity-or-how-to-read-the-petite-lexicon/

[A Little Philosophical Lexicon of Anarchism from Proudhon to Deleuze is 
translated by Jesse Cohn, and published by Minor Compositions (on 
release to the book trade in April 2019). PDF available freely online: 
http://www.minorcompositions.info/?p=902]

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