Indonesia, anarkis.org: Ronny Augustine: "Anarchism is not
the reckless attitude. Theoretically sturdy " - HANDINI DESI AND
ADITYA N. · (de) [machine translation] (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
Ronny Augustine is one of the key figure behind the Left Margin, publishers often presents
critical readings before us. Aside from being a driving force Margins Left, Ronny also
shows the closeness of his personal closeness to anarchism discourse. One of the
manifestations is through publishing a book series Assessing anarchism. In the midst of a
misnomer lay-intentionally or not-against anarchism, with books, Ronny and Margins Left as
attempts to deflect the misnomer-a misnomer. Through books, Ronny also put his hopes on
the future of anarchism in Indonesia. ---- Oct. 29, the team anarkis.org had the
opportunity to interview him after the book discussion "Under Three Flags" written by
Benedict Anderson in Yogyakarta. Many things were discussed, among them about the
discourse of anarchism, Left Margin, and Ronny Augustine himself as a man of politics. The
following are excerpts of the interview:
Since when do you know Anarchism?
I used to read anything. I read Marx, continues this (Anarkisme- red). In the past also
can not tell, just all of my gusto. But over time began to appear along the grooves. This
difference is, thinking like this like this. In my opinion, Anarchism offers the
flexibility or the creative possibilities are more interesting than communism. But still
the goals of Communism, Socialism, Marxism being the foremost. Because multiple streams of
anarchism is too focused on the release of personal or psychological liberation from the
restraints and so forth, but rather forgetting the economic liberation together.
You said that anarchism offers flexibility. Can be explained?
In his book Ben (Anderson) is (Under Three Bendera- red), for example, in the realm of
art, the work of anarchist artists more interesting to watch and enjoy rather than
communist, let alone in the Stalin era. Impressionist painter of the 19th century that
many anarchists, like Pissarro, etc. Some Veneon is reviewed quite a lot in the book, he
almost versatile; art critic, drama, etc. That anarchists too.
When exactly did you start to get acquainted with political ideologies such as Marxism, etc.?
I began to read and read books (on political ideology) that when the high school until the
end of the lecture, circa '94 -'95.
You have an interest in literature and peropolitikan Latin America. Is there a connection
with the discourse of the movement there, or any other reason?
Originally from the literature. I've explained this in several other interviews. I was
very impressed with the Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel whose title translates to "The fall
of the Dictator" (El Otono del Patriarca / The Autumn of the Patriarch). It is an
experiment in form at the same time political experiment that is extraordinary. The novel
was published in '94 -an if not wrong. Read in the context of the New Order period was
truly inspiring. Because he is not propaganda. He really works of literature are
experimenting with form. One sentence in length can be up to one page, two pages. But he
also dissected the social realities of dictatorship with very remarkable. Well, impresinya
or impact to the reader that according to me is more durable than work that merely
propaganda. Indonesian edition of his dipengantari by Romo Mangun (YB. Mangunwijaya- red).
He wrote there that Latin America is still a land unknown to readers in Indonesia. From
there I then find another. And finally I found that literature and politics they are
indissoluble. Satra works there is very literary as well as highly political. It's political.
Then the question that you nahkodai Left Margin, Left Margin why interested in publishing
books themed anarchism?
I wanted to bring to readers a little mainstream. The point went into bookstores. There is
nothing wrong with zines that have been published by anarchist groups, but to reach out to
the general reader, to the academic world, for example, it is difficult. To be used as a
reference also may be unapproved. I want to bring something serious, academically
debatable, it could be a reference as well as introducing something new that anarchism is
not a reckless attitude. Theoretically solid. There are a myriad of philosophers who have
thought about this and a long historical background. So it can not be underestimated.
So far, the Left Margin has published three books on anarchism. Well, in relation to the
selection of the title, what is the underlying? Interest or relevance?
Relevance to the situation it is important to measure the contribution of the book later.
In addition to behavior or not, read it or not, there must be a contribution to the next
thought. If the Left Margin, we have a team of readers, so not everything is based on my
taste. There are some I am interested but was not approved because it was too specific
team. Which is now being worked out is The Art of Not Being Governed by James Scott, about
the history of the anarchists in the villages of Southeast Asia. In my opinion, (study) is
important.
In addition to the reasons to reach the mainstream and academic, why choose the media
guide as a medium spread of ideas of anarchism. Why not through a blog or website?
There are a lot of things. The first, obviously, would be viewed how ever we respect about
copyright. Left Margin is always taking care of the copyright on the books (published). We
never publish (book) in vain. Secondly, there is our conviction, perhaps because managers
are also not the millennial generation, that printed books will still be required and be
read. Some also confirmed that the latest tendency. The last two years, sales of e-books
in the world slump. People go back to the printed book and there is recent research which
shows that the generation that was born the youngest, who was born in the middle of the
Internet and so on, should feel that the most important information can not be obtained on
the internet. They even go back to the book. Internet was for fun only. They feel for the
things that really matter can not be found on the internet. It was quite surprising as well.
So you see the book a more effective media for spreading the ideas of anarchism to the
community?
If you say yes may not be effective. The book also never effectively deploy (discourse) to
the public. But for the Indonesian context, if we do not have a publisher who seriously
pursue this kind of thing, (the world) perbukuan we will be filled with what?
What are your expectations and Margins Left by publishing books that broaden the discourse
of the Left?
If for a rather long-term, my expectation is TAP MPRS (about) the prohibition of communism
was revoked. [1] It was clear. But it would be highly controversial. Therefore, now slowly
(left discourse) is inserted into the academic world (in order) are no longer awkward, is
no longer taboo. At least once. If there lecturers progressive and critical, 20 people,
probably will produce a new generation of students who are also progressive and critical.
So yes it should slowly once in my opinion. Until now, there are still teachers who forbid
students to use Marxist theory. Does not make sense. But if we can make these theories
taken seriously and taken into account, it is expected later it will affect our political
economic policies. Not just one side wrote, not only the (perspective) market only.
Today more and more global movements can be said to be patterned anarchistic. Call it
Rojava, Occupy Movement, etc. In your opinion, how the projected global anarchist movement
forward?
I think as more intensive capitalism, opposition will also be intensified. Although its
effectiveness is still questionable, but at least there are two that have been effective
running, in peacetime and wartime. For example, in Kobane, and in one village in Spain
that I forgot his name, which the village head but managed anarchist communist,
self-managed. [2]
The world is seeing a resurgence to anarchist movements, such as in Kobane (Rojava), do
you think such movements will trigger larger anarchist movement?
Kobane situation now, though still distant, but similar to the situation in Spain in '30;
No international brigades that helped, and so on. I think that global solidarity that in
recent years new there. That is militarily. But nevertheless, remains tied to political
conditions. There is no Kurdish party too, there are all sorts. And the Kurdish party was
also left. Maybe later negotiations will (be) in real politics. That is whether the region
can be autonomous or not. Although it would be difficult, whoever wins.
In closing, how do you see the social movements, especially the movement of Anarchism, in
Indonesia?
In the Indonesian context, social movements and the movements referred to by experts as a
new social movement that was much influenced by anarchist spirit. More independent groups
were smaller and not centralized. Like what is happening now, resistance in Sort Sewu and
everywhere tend to like it. But the power will not be a large mass. To perform the
experiments (social) as in Europe rather difficult. However Anarchism was close to
Marxism, in the spirit, and so on. Prohibition of Marxism and critical movement during
this effect on how the public respond to anarchism.
Actually I do not really know and not so associate with the anarchist movement here. And
some serious I think also not overly expose himself. But blasting ATM a few years ago, if
we read the statement of his, obviously they are aware of the internationalism. There are
linkages. Maybe it's good not too so it kind of network. I mean, do not openly proclaim
network anarchist groups. Maybe it's good to keep working klandenstin, individually. If we
were blow up fear will fall prematurely. Easily become a target. []
Final notes:
[1] TAP MPRS XXV / 1966 on the prohibition of the ideology of Communism, Marxism-Leninism.
[2] The village in question is Marinaleda, a small town in east Sevilla [ed].
http://anarkis.org/ronny-agustinus-anarkisme-bukan-sikap-ugal-ugalan-secara-teoritis-kokoh/
