the risk of openly participating vies faced challenges of gender and age inequalities: there was a generation gap berween elder residents and the leaders of the civic associations consisted basicaly of youth, who sometimes imposed their wllon che others. This could include using violence “There were tensions between civics and unions, in pare because the unions wanted to ensure thei autoncmy and were waty of undemocratic practices in UDF-afiiated bodies. The ANC. also exercised growinginfluence behind thescenes,and ANC: ‘were often intolerant of non-ANC voices ower, the period of mass sel-organization in the 1980s showed the possibilities of che peopl’ sel organization and self rulefeom below cllestated thepotental farcoperation between trade unions, community based omgsniztions, and other types youth, cultural, spores ~and unprecedented level of solidarity. It showed mutual help projects, which created spacesofsolidaityand, communal support: soup kitchens, sewing collectives, community, crtches, anti-crime patrols, defense unies, and people's courts “The radical interpretation of demacracy deserves tion, In the 1980s, democratic practices, like mass mectings, the accountability of | were important, and people also saw democracy its value to rages Today, many ofthe principles ofthe selF- organization of the 1980s, and the very culture of radical, participatory and direct, with its obligatory and absolute aceountabilty of com- unity leads, with is special love for long and open meetings, are continued by some contemporary socal movernene in South ‘Arica [think that isthe legacy of the 1980s, when many people believe that democracy was nat an abstract idea, but rather a rool and practice, which must be used by the whole community xs and commit democras THE PLAYFUL ANARCHIST BY BRIAN MARTIN Play can be an inspiration for anarchist, but care is needed because norall play is liberating, ‘Anarchist analysis soften seen as serious business I deals With the repressive aspects of the state, tke exploitative feaeures of capitalism, and the dark sides of other systems of domination none of which seem ro be laughing mates. Anarchist campaign ing can be serious too, because ic means coming up against agents of the sat, In the syndicalist tradition, the workplace is central and work is commonly seen as the oppesite of play Yer there is also a playful side co anarchism. ‘The vision of a self-managed society is one in which desires can be collectively pursued. Without the whip of bosses, people can be more spon taneous, and games can be a part of joyful life Achough play canand shouldbe partof the anarchis projec, the implications are not always straightforward. My aim here is ro see what insights concerning the goal o”se- management can be gained by looking at several areas in which play can Feacute: childeen's toys and games, sports, video gemes, music, ativism, ‘economie productivity, and life itself. ln other words, is it worth tuying to be a playful anarchist and, ifso, what does this entail? Finally | presene afew possible principles ‘or playfal anarchism, Children’s Play Young childcen can have fun, especially cogether, with few 1+ no props. They can play games with imaginary characters and imaginary props. Simple objects such as balls and boxes can be the basis for hours of pay [cis possible ro look at children playing and see chs asthe manifestation of natural human capacities, even as 4 model for freedom. Buc although children’ ply is innocent in the sense of having no conscious political agendas, iran never be natural in the sense of being independenc of sociery. Play, by necesiy, draws on culture. Children who play with imaginary characters are influenced by tae people and images around them. If they watch television or play video games, their imaginations will be shaped by what they see and hear, whether this is Winnie the Pooh or Harry Potter. Childrens play can be spontaneous in some ways, but ies spontaneous within a frame- work ofthe ideas and images provided by the surrounding culeure, including the family, peers, and mea Then there are objects, and agin they may reflect culeure. Ie is possible co turn parts of nature ~ branches, rocks, uit ~ into objects for play, and thisseemsinnocuous. Morecommon, though, are manufactured coys. Basic types range from balls to building blocks, which may: ace more clabor sflect socal values ata general level. Then there oys. The most famous is Barbie, criticized for incorporating ste atleast in her original incacnation, is highly popular and wi about femininity." Babi blond, white and exceedingly chin, a model cha if blown up to adule size is an impossible ideal for mote chan a few women, For boys, cher are various masculinized dolls such as G.I. Joe as well as numerous guns and other war toys. As exposed by feminist, what is notable is how many manufactured toys are gen obvious or subrle ways. Another problem with some manufactured roys is that, by being so claborate, they can limit imagination, A ball provides less guidance for play than a toy battleship. Some toys can only bbe used in cercain ways: their uses ate builtin “The gendering of roys can be tied to capitalist markets: there ismore profit to be made by selling diferent toys co boys and gels, and more profi from highly elaborate toys that look fan advertisements butconstrain childven in how theyareused Simple, sturdy, gener toys ate cheaper to produce and do not need t0 be replaced every yea Tcis easier to poine o the problems with manufactured toys than o idenifyehe sorts of toys shat bes prefigure a self-managed society. Are building blocks worthwhile, or do they limitimagina tion forthe bule enviconmen®? Should roy guns be avoided and, ifso, what should be in thei place? Who should make decisions bout what sorts of toys are produced? Games and Sports Children frequently play gares that are called sports. There are individual sports such as swimming and tennis, and group sports such as soccer and basketball. For chien, chese can be played in a spicit of fun, for the exhilaration of using one's body and engaging with others For children, eunning can be spontaneous, for example when they chase each other. Running can also be turned into amore ser- ous endeavor, in compeciive events. A child might enjoy running Lin and be encouraged to train more systematically Team sports can be mote oz less spontaneous. Children have to learn the rules, perhaps by observing older children, but often asnni2 7 aed* asa ory Pea insteuction is involved, as when a parene helps child learn how to kickand control a soccer ball. For soccer, minimal equipments ed. Forsomeothersports, moreisequired,forexamplerackets and courts for cennis and clubs and courses for golf. Participation then may depend on access co facilities Parallel to the Fun side of sports isthe more serious sie, with competitions, leagues, systematitraining, and professional cree In competcive spores, having fun may be subordinated to status, winning and money. Nevertheless, even for professional athletes, love of the game o' if only because motivation is harder to maintain if performing is seen only asa job. The transformation of children's play © ‘organized games to professional sportsis noran automatic or even process. As testified by the popularity of fun runs, adults ean participate mainly for enjoyment, including the satisfac tion of improving fess and developing skills, ‘without worrying too much about winning. But the parallel side, professional sport, capcures much more attention, News reporting focuses on elit performers and on whois winning, and the big money is in professional sports. Some topathletesbecomeceebrities and role models, whereas neighborhood gumes are known only to those involved. The problems associated with professional sportsare well known, Prestgeand money lead twa preoccupation with vietory rather than participation. Athletes may wreck their heath by playing while injured and, in contact sports, theough damage during games, Gambling and ccoreuption ae risks. Most imporcaot, though, isthe decline in pacticipation. Many children play games bu give them up as they get older ancl ean no longer compete in organized agues. They become spectators, a process encouraged by the ‘companies that profit fiom professional sports. As professional athlecs become increasingly skilled, drawing on the latest exercise science and coaching, much of the popu tion is becoming less fi, as shown by the rise in obesity. When children’s play becomesadule professional sports, participation and ‘wholesome exercise decline Video Games The problems wich manufactured coys like Barbie are one thing. Of avery diffeent sort are the problems with video games, a major market for children and many adults. The video game industry is larger than Hollywood. Video games can be educational, hough most are just for entertainment. Many of the most popular games feature fighting enemies, sometimes with sexist and violent imagery. For many people, both children and adults, video games area ‘major activicy. They involve a typeof play thacis intensely absorb ing. Video game designers seek Co make their games a enticing as possible. The ideal game Super Mario Brothersisan example ~is simple co lear, so ie grabs players feorn the ist few minutes, ane is continually engrossing because the challenges increase a players become moce proficient. ‘The result isthe satisfying stae called flow, which occurs when engaged ina tsk requiring skills hac is neither boring soranxiery-producing * Good video games provide exactly the challenges thac induce flow, and some players spend hours every day on : game, and a few addicts can hardly stop. A game canbe so absorbing that hours pass ina flash There are aso online games that involve multiple players, for example World of Warcral, that ate also highly engrossing, The game goes on and on, and some players don't want 10 miss a single development, The game becomes a community of common spicis, an attractive alternative tothe flesh-and-blood interactions that occur offive. Should anarchins embrace or reject video games? On the are designed around violence and misogyny. However, iis also possible ro design games with other values nsgative side, many of the gan suchas cooperation and egalitarianism, Alsoon the negative side, most games on the market are part of a massive industzy whose primary aim is making money. However, some games are developed just for fun anl are open source; commercialism is not an inevitable Feature of video games. Then there is the question of whether it isbealthy to spend so much time interacting witha computer-generated world. For thebody ‘oatdoor games are definitely healthier Video games can become addictive far mote easily than addiction co physical exercise. Behavioral auldiction isnot ehe same as addiction to deugs bat ean be just as damaging. Yer another concern is that when video games become an alternative reality, the pros: rats for face-to-face human interaction are compromised, people areto collectively make decisionsabout work, child rearing servicesand cocher issues affecting their lives, how do video 8 games ft in? There is a problem if communication skills ~ b able to talk with otters and discus diminished becausecnlineactivitiestake over. The addictive nature of video games may only be the beginning. Viral reality au be even more captvaticg Teis easy to say tha anarchists should embrace play, but the addictive potential ef video games suggests the embrace should not be too tight. Play needs 0 be balanced with other priorities Music ‘Music, for many people, is one of the mos degheful aspects of life. Unlike food end clothing, i is not required For existence Instead, itis commonly enjoyed for its own sake. Most people liscen to musi, for example with iPods, cadios, or a live venues ‘Although in some cases listening to music has a practical purpose, itis mostly for enjoyment. Ofcourse, musiecan be used 10 influence lis sound tracks, pacrioticsongs, or background musicplayed in stores Musiccan aso be listened coin more formal settings, in chutches, at tock concerts, and symphonic performances. Music can also te enjoyed asa performer. Many people enjoy singing, even with irieor no training, Many children learn o play musical instruments, Playing music can be primarily for pleasure fo pursued as a carer. Many children and youth leara x0 play instcuments, and enjoy playing in bands, orchestras, and various types of ensembles. When schooling finishes, cere are thee main trajectories. A few of the most dedicated students continue thei studies with theaim of becoming professional performers or musicteachers. A few others continue to play asarateurs. Most, though, scop playing their insceuments {In many parts ofthe world chee isa small but thriving com- munity ofamareur musicians who get together to play solely forthe love oft. leis organized bythe players themselves or by networks of players coordinated by volunteers Decisions about what (0 phy, when and where are usually made by consensus. People are ‘nt paid to play amateur music with eachother, which means the possibilities for exploitation and domination ate limite. Professional musie-makingisadifferentstory Because itis paid work, sometimes playing becomes a chore, As well, opportunities for good jobs are limited, eading to competition and occasional sharp dealing, In some circumstances players can be treated badly. ‘Asa generalization, playingmusicismos likely 1 besacisfying ‘when cis done voluntatily2nd cooperatively. organized by theplay- cers themselves, Amatcur m sic isa model of selfsmanaged actviy. Icis important co mertion that some professionals retain the love oftheir cra. In every occupation, some workers fee itis a calling, being just what chey would want co do even if they were rot paid. Some professional musicians continue to love playing musi through their entitecreersand keep playing after they retire from their paid jobs. Thisshows the possiblity for work to be play. Protest and Play Rallies, marches, nd accupations ate often seen as serious af fairs, because usually protestsare agains some social problem such as war or racial violence, To counter the usual focus on doom and tloom, taking a humorous approach can be worthwhile In Serbia during the campaign against repressive president Slobodan Milosevie, the resistance movement Oxpor used humor as key tool. One stunt was to paint a picture of Milosevic on a barrel and chen encourage members of the public to hit i with a stick. Afr police removec the barcel, Orpor announced that the buael had been acested!fna vdeo looking ikea washing machine advertisement, the stain on a'T-shirt~ a picture of Milosevic —is removee.? When the govemment claimed that Otpor— which was committed fo nonviolence ~ was a terrorist organization, young Otpor activist ridiculed exe government claims by standing in fone of crowds saying "Ths is what tezonst looks like.” In these and other actions, Otpor cncinually made fan ofthe government? Other groups aroune che world have used ezeaive playful tectuniques in whar have been called humorous politcal stunts? ‘When prosestesareseriousand present tational arguments fortheit concerns, those who dsagiee can comeup with counter-arguments. ‘When protesters use huroy, this ean bypass the ational mind. The use of absurdity and paradox can sometimes communicate truths more effectively than evidence and argument ‘Anarchist sentiments have contsibured ro the history of playful activism, most notably through the Sicuationits and in {he contemposary practic of culture janiming. Humor in protest can be deployed strategicaly while having alot of fun doing it As wel, playful activism can be highly effective in attracting media attention, An extta advange in hurnorous peotest is chat when audiences Iaugh, ic is more enjoyable for protesters. Laughter is ‘contagious, and humnorousprotestcan brighten up aetvis planning. Play and Productivity “The us idea is that pay is something o do when work i Gnished. It is an optional extra in the strugele for survival, not esscial but nice if you have the opporauaiy ‘There isa quite different possibiliy, chough: play can be pro- ductive, in che sense chat ic contributes to evono nic performance. “This is obvious enough in the vast investments in leisure activites, from sports to gaming, but there isalso a more fundamental con- rection. Ar leas that is the argumenc by Steven Johnson in his fascinating and entertaining book Wonderland.” Johnsonsargumentisthat humans intrinsicinceresin pleasure and amusement has contributed more ro iavenvion and industry than appreciated by conventional historians, He traces the popular cae for calico, an eatly colored cloth, and argues it was factor in the industrial revolution. Colored clothing has no exta functional value, Buriewas nd remains highly valued for pucposes of fashion and pute delight. Johason says the great populeriy of calico was the motive force behind inventions crucial ro industcalization. “The idea of shopping just co look at the goods on offer was, according to Johnson, an importancsocial innovation that had im- plications for economic production. For people who find shopping aachoteand deplore rampant commercialism, the idea of shopping, 2s leisure may seem abhorrent, but many disaggce, finding great pleasure in doing the rounds of shops and in buying goods, many. of which ate unnecessary. Johnson says calico had been available in northern Europe for over a century and only became a craze aler the development of window displays, elcstering of stores, and spectacular interior. Johnson also looks at the role of music in invention, The cauliest musical instruments date back tens of thousands of years, suggesting thar the inherent delighc in certain types of sounds has been important in human cultural evolution. Johoson examines the origin ofthe ies of programmable machines atribucing some of the inspiration to the musical keyboard. ‘Taverns or pubs havea long history Johnson describes litle- xecognied Function ofpubsasincubatorsoffie discourse, breaking down social boundaries, and even contributing to emancipatory sentiments, asin the cases of the U.S. independence struggle and the gay sights movement. The pub, as a socal instiution serving people's desize for pleasurable interaction, thus can also have a politcal significance Johnsons book Wonderland is filled with stories ofthe powe of delight to stimulate innovation. However heis quick vo admit thac play-inspted social changes are not necessarily for the bere “The down side of che attraction for cotton cloth, seen as desirable for its sensual properties, was slavery and terrible working condi- tions, Likewise, the spice trade, driven by the sensory appeal of pepper, loves, cinnamon and other exoce tastes, was implicated in the horcors of European colonialism. Contersporary examples can easily be provided, for example the horritle conditions for workers who produce toys and electronic gadgets. ife as a Game ne thing thar makes games so enticing is that they ave seen as realms separate from the messiness of regula life. In watching football match or playing a video game, its possible to forget about war, poverty, and workplace angst. The zame has its own rules, Players and spectators clo noe have to woery about outside interventions. Thegameisself-concained, providingasense of em sional security. OF course che separateness of games is anilssion, ‘occasionally pierced, for example by reports of drug use or sexual abuse by football players. Buc for many players and spectators, iis aadesirablillusion because it offersan escape from the “eal wor.” Icis possible o use the idea oF a game as « metaphor for al of life, Whac are che implications of secing life as a game? One response is to seek co understand she rules and play the game * asan2 fi Pessnnu2 Fano Fett better, Interactions berween people can be placed within a game framework: others ate “opponents” making “moves’ chat can be countered by intelligent play Inthe lifeeis-a-game metaphor, the fame of interpersonal politics is quite serious ~ neatly as serious as professional sports! ‘Another approach is to imagine life asa gamte as a means of ‘overcomingexcesive seriousness. Theimplicationistoinjectascnse ‘of playfulness into daily life. Rather than being depressed by the burdens of obligation and social comparison, instead an attitude ‘ofamused detachmenc can be cultivated. This sort of approach has antecedents in quite a few philosophies and religions Afewluckyindividualsseem to go through life with an ammused attitude, finding joy in everyday activities and seeking to brighten, ‘other people’ lives. They can be serious when necessary but do not gec stuck in negatvism. Ja the game metaphor, they are enjoying the play and not worrying too much abou winning. In this, they scem to have maintained the spontaneous joy of living so often, observed in young children, Should an anarchist have a playful aescude towards life Is it productive to adopt an atcicude of lightheactedness when so many people are exploited and oppressed? Can it be beneficial to foster a playful spirit while doing whac one can to bring about a beter ‘world? How can actvistslean to be playful in ways thacarc helpful, and inspirational rather than silly and awkward? Implications For pursuing a self managed sociery, what are the implica- tions of play? A Key point is thac ploy is important. I is an aspect of freedom, which includes freedom to express creativity and joy. Beyond this, its posible co identify a few principles play fal anarchist might consider. One is that play desirably should be inclusive, enabling many if not most people to participate if they so deste. In spectator sports, fans can be highly engaged and derive great pleasue from watching, but this i different from the satisfactions of personal involvement Another principle wocth consideving is cooperation. A self. managed society would operate largely though cooperation, so play desirably would likewise. However, cooperative sports are rare compared to competitive ones. There is much to be done co develop and promote cooperative games. ‘Thirdly, play should be enhancing rather than desteuctive. Ie should foster berterhealth, happiness, low, community, and skill, for self-management. Thissounds ike lr task, butsometimes well-designed gamecan achieve wonders, bonding payers together inacooperaive endeavor that improves health and happiness, while coordinating the game involves se-management skills Although play has many desirable features, cherearealso some conundrums and zrps, Should play be spontaneous or organized? Spontaneous activities sound like they should more playful, but, Sometimesspontanctyreproducesdamagingpaternsof interaction. maybe beter to organize activities that consciously eflct goals Play should not be compulsory. One approach isto design op- portunities for both organized and spontaneous play Participation in play can be satisfying, yer there ean be a danger of addiction. Like anything els, there ean be too much of a good ching. Finally, itis wise not to cake play oo seriously, Fora playful anarchist, seeking to promote cooperative and participative play that enhances human capacities, ic might be okay to behave less than ideally some ofthe time co cheer for favorite sporting ceam oc to play the board game Monopoly or the video game Grand “Theft Auto —and nos fel guilty, Preigueation ofa self managed society is desirable, but it should not be such a duty as to inhibit living plyfully in present-day sociery Tha to Sharon Callaghan and Majten Serene for valuable comment on deaf Notes 1. There isa vast amounc of research about ply. Two pioneering studies ar J Huitainga, Homo Ludens A Seudy ofthe Plyelemen in Caltae (Beacon, 1955) and Roger Caillois, Man, Play and Games (Free Press, 1961) 2, Mary F Rogers, Barbie Cultwre (Sage, 1999). 3.Sharon Beder (ed), This Little Kiddy Went o Marke: The Corporate Capture of Childbood (Pho, 2009} 4. MihalyCsikszentmihaly, How: The Bychologyef Optimal Experience (Harper 8c Row, 1990). 5. Adam Altes, Ieisible: Why We Cant Stop Checking, Scrolling, Clicking end Watching Bodley Head, 2017), 6. An example is ACMP Associated Chamber Music Players, hes! wor acmp.net. “The Sain,” wwe. youtube.comfvarch?v=hEZYEGDAKVA. 8. Janjra Sombatpoonsii, Humor and Nonviolent Saget in Serbia (Syracuse University Pres, 2015) 9. Majker Sorensen, Humour in Political Activin: Creative Nonviolent Resistance (Palgrave Macmillan, 2016) 10, Seven Johnson, Wonderland: How Play Made the Modern Wald (Riverhead, 2016). 1, Eric Berne, Games Paple Play (Ballantine, 1964) 12, Terry Olick, Winning Through Cooperation: Competitive Inanity ~ Cooperative Abernatives, (Acropolis, 1978), ae Charlie Chaplin vs patriotism “As for politics, Lm an anacchist. I hate governments and rulesand feces... Cnfestand cage animals. People must be fee.” What is your reason, Mr. Chaplin for never having voted? 1 dost believe in making any divisions of people think dhe is very dangerous. I think that leads co fascism, Citizens are citizens all the world over. Mr. Chaplin, you als said you are not a nationalist of any connary i that correct? Tue ‘Now Mr. Chaplin, the Daily Worker on October 25, 1942, r- ported you stated "Tn nota citizen, I don’ need citizenship papers, ‘and I've never bad pasiotsm in that sense foray country, but Tn a patios a humanity asa whol. Lin acisizen of the word, wish heavy sarcasm] Ifthe Four Freedoms mean anything afer this war, we won't bother abnuswhetber we are citizens of one country or anather.” Mr Chaplin, the poor fellows who were drafed like myself. and heir Sarilies and buddies, rsent that remark. 1 dow know why you resent that. .. [think iis rather dice tatoral on your pat to say as how I should apply my pacrocsn Now, whether you say chat you object to me for noc having patriotism isa qualified thing U've ben that way ever since Ihave been a young child. I ca'thelp ic '¥e traveled all ove che world, and my patrocism doese'restwith one class. Itrests with che whole world ~ the pity ofthe whole world and che common people. Charlie Chaplin: Interviews, University Press of Mississippi, 2005. any divison