Anarchism will not be created in this country, or any other, by a tiny group of people. Even in Ireland a successful anarchist revolution would require tens of thousands of active anarchists. Anarchists living on every street and active in every workplace. We obviously have a long way to go!

The WSM is helping build the anarchist movement in Ireland. We would like you to become part of this work. This text explains why the WSM needs you, what membership involves and how to go about joining.

Why does the WSM need me to join?

Though you may think the Workers Solidarity Movement is already doing a good job we could do a better one if you were to to get involved. More members means more experience, knowledge, money and resources for the organisation.

New members bring new experience and knowledge to the organisation. Each new member brings with them an insight into what is happening where they live, where they work (or go to school) and what people they know are talking about.

What does membership involve?

Unlike much of the left we are not trying to construct an organisation that consists of lots of paper sellers who must be organised and instructed by a layer of full-time leaders. So all members are expected not only to help out in the work of the WSM but also to take part in internal meetings, debates and education. This is essential to ensure the WSM remains a democratic organisation where no member is more important or has a greater say then any other.

Each WSM member, whether newly joined or involved for twenty years, should:

1. Attend regular branch meetings
   At these meetings we plan activity, and discuss what's going on in campaigns and in the wider world. Meetings are once every week or two.
2. Contribute regular subs.
   This money pays for papers, leaflets, room hire, posters, stationery, international solidarity, guest speakers, equipment, etc. If your young and single these should be around 2 or 4% of net income. If a number of people are financially dependent on your income this could be only 1%. Once you join the branch treasurer will sort out with you what percentage you will pay.
3. Help out with the work of the WSM
   The position papers are the policy we have collectively agreed that the WSM will implement. All members participate in this work. The WSM constitution contains more details on exactly what this means and the conditions under which you can be exempted from implementing areas of policy you disagree with.

How much of the WSM politics do I need to agree with?

We have detailed position papers on all the areas where we are active. These form the collectively agreed policy of the WSM. Disagreement and debate around these papers is continuous, these collective position are constantly being modified so obviously we do not expect members to agree with every detail. All members are however expected to broadly agree with points 1 to 8 below which outline the core of our anarchism.

1. Anarchism will be created by the class struggle between the vast majority of society (the working class) and the tiny minority that currently rule. A successful revolution will require that anarchist ideas become the leading ideas within the working class. This will not happen spontaneously. Our role is to make anarchist ideas the leading ideas or, as it is sometimes expressed, to become a ''leadership of ideas''.
2. We reject the idea that society can be changed through 'good people' gaining control of the power structures. This means we reject both the electoral strategy of the social democratic and green parties and the 'revolutionary' strategy of the various left groups.
3. We identify ourselves as anarchists and with the "platformist", anarchist-communist or especifista tradition of anarchism. We broadly identify with the theoretical base of this tradition and the organisational practice it argues for, but not necessarily everything else it has done or said, so it is a starting point for our politics and not an end point.
4. The core ideas of this tradition that we identify with are the need for anarchist political organisations that seek to develop:
   • Theoretical Unity
   • Tactical Unity
   • Collective Action and Discipline
   • Federalism
5. A major focus of our activity is our work within the economic organisations of the working class (labour organisations, trade unions, syndicates) where this is a possibility. We therefore reject views that dismiss activity in the unions because as members of the working class it is only natural that we should also be members of these mass organisations. Within them we fight for the democratic structures typical of anarcho-syndicalist unions like the 1930's CNT. However, the unions no matter how revolutionary cannot replace the need for anarchist political organisation(s).
6. We also see it as vital to work in struggles that happen outside the unions and the workplace. These include struggles against particular oppressions, imperialism and indeed the struggles of the working class for a decent place and environment in which to live. Our general approach to these, like our approach to the unions, is to involve ourselves with mass movements and within these movements, in order to promote anarchist methods of organisation involving direct democracy and direct action.
7. We actively oppose all manifestations of prejudice within the workers' movement and society in general and we work alongside those struggling against racism, sexism, [religious] sectarianism and homophobia as a priority. We see the success of a revolution and the successful elimination of these oppressions after the revolution being determined by the building of such struggles in the pre-revolutionary period. The methods of struggle that we promote are a preparation for the running of society along anarchist and communist lines after the revolution.
8. We oppose imperialism but put forward anarchism as an alternative goal to nationalism. We defend grassroots anti-imperialist movements while arguing for an anarchist rather than nationalist strategy.

How do I join?

It's very simple. You just contact us and tell us you want to join. You can use our web contact form.  Or write to us at WSM, PO Box 1528, Dublin 8, Ireland or email us at national (at) wsm (dot )ie .   Or just tell any individual member.

Once you have done this if you are in an area with an active branch you can start to attend meetings and can normally join at the end of your third meeting. If we are not already active in your area we will arrange to meet with you and you can attend whatever meetings you may be able to travel to.

Remember
You don't need any special skills, qualifications or talents (but they're all welcome) - just the desire to be free.

Please include a phone number when you complete the form below.

Join the WSM