Kropotkin's Revolutionary Pamphlets - Libcom

3% KROPOTKIN'S REVOLUTIONARY PAMPHLETS
dealing with conditions before the war. Their circulation
fell off everywhre. The anarchist movement itself lost in
numbers and vigor from the dissension among its own followers,
from the emergence of communism as a stronger
fighting force, and from the general depression of workingclass
militancy in the face of capitalist consolidation and
persecution. Anarchist publications of all sorts bave accord.
ingly decreased. But it is noteworthy that much of Kropotkin's
work has been published in Sweden and Germany since
the war, and a complete bibliography covering over five hundred
titles in all languages appeared in 192.6.
These pamphlets represent far more than the phases of
revolutionary struggle of Kropotkin's time. They make a
lasting contribution to thought in the confused confli.:ts
which mark the long transition to a socialist economy and
to the freedoms which lie in and beyond it. It is to present
the essence of that thought that these pamphlets have been
edited in book-form, omitting only the references and illustrations
no longer pertinent, and controversial material of
no current interest. They appear as they were written except
for these omissions, for improvements in phrasing and
punctuation, and for better translations.
All the pamphlets ever published in English are reprinted
here except four,-The Commune of Paris, which deals with
one event to which Kropotkin refers clearly enough in other
work; W 111'!) a little treatise quite out of date now; The Place
of Anarchism in Socialist Evolution, which duplicates other
material here printed; and The State, Its Historic Role. which
is available in book form (see page 302. ). Pamphlets which
were reprints of chapters from The Conquest of Bread, now
available in book form, are also omitted. In addition to
including all these pamphlets previously published in English.
two translated from French have been added.-The SPirit of
Revolt and Prisons lind their Moral Effect on Prisoners. No
others in other languages contain material which would add
to a presentation of Kropotkin's revolutionary thought.
These pamphlets are arranged to give a clear and COl;npre-
NOTE ON EDITING OF PAMPHLETS
hensive picture of Kropotkin's social teaching; No one of
his books covers so wide and varied a field,-in economics.
politics. law. the State, the treatment of crime, evolution
and science. There is also included as an appendIX a large
part of the article on anarchism from The Encyclopedill
Britannica. written by Kropotkin. Its objective treatment
is of interest to those who may want a ready reference to
the best brief statement of the history and aspects of the
whole movement.
I should like to acknowledge here my appreciation of the aid
and counsel of Arnold Roller, who translated the section of
The Spirit of Revolt that appears in this volume, and who has
been patient and never failing in suggestion and editorial advice.