Anarchism: A Criticism and History of the Anarchist Theory

by E. V. (Ernst Viktor) Zenker

"Anarchism: A Criticism and History of the Anarchist Theory" by E. V. Zenker is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The work aims to provide a comprehensive examination of Anarchism, detailing its ideological roots, key theorists, and the distinctions between Anarchism, Socialism, and Radicalism. The author promotes a critical dialogue on the principles of Anarchism, striving to clarify its tenets and challenge prevalent misunderstandings. The opening of the book begins with a preface that reveals Zenker's motivation for writing this extensive analysis of Anarchism. He recounts a public lecture he gave following a violent incident involving anarchists in politics, highlighting the common misconceptions and ignorance surrounding the topic. Zenker emphasizes the need for a rigorous exploration of Anarchist literature, noting significant challenges in accessing relevant works due to widespread hostility toward Anarchism. His intention is to navigate through biases and prejudices to encourage a fair discussion about the theory, its historical context, and its implications for society. The preface sets the stage for a methodical investigation into the origins and evolution of Anarchist thought, starting with a consideration of its early precursors.