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What does a lifelong Illegalist project look like?

+2 votes
What are the goals of Illegalism beyond a life of defiance and expropriation? If one finds themselves effectively finding wealth in a world of crime and living on the fringes of society does Illegalism ultimatley turn into Anarcho-capitalism? With out looking for purity and simply a life of fulfullment in a world of shit what does the Illegalist project look like long term? I realize this is obviously very much about the individuals choice and perceptions of the world, but I don't know that this project is sustainable without the exceptionally strong emotional drive for a discontentment with contemporary society. Is it anything beyond a conduit for malice and anger for the dominant structures around us? This is in no way a question about the rev and is a question about ones individual journey if you will.
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1 Answer

+2 votes
the folks i consider the original illegalists (or at least who've i heard of) are the people commonly known as the bonnot gang, in paris. as i recall they gave a lot of money away to projects that they supported. and i think plenty of other people of the same ilk did too (https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/marius-jacob-why-i-was-a-burglar, for example).

since most anarchists i know mostly try to just ignore the law, illegalism isn't i think a label they'd embrace. probably the closest contemporary thing is anarchists who talk about criminal gangs/families, etc as having lessons to teach us. but it's also likely that illegalists aren't broadcasting their affinities, especially not online.

edit: to correct spelling of bonnot, thanks ingrate! (also, it's huye, hombre, huye)
by (53.1k points)
edited by

Huye Hombre Huye by Xosé Tarrío González is a pretty good first hand account of someone who might be considered a more current illegalist, though idk if he'd have used the label.

Jules - Part of your question might be answered by looking at a person who shares your moniker, Jules Bonnot and the gang. A lot of their takings went to fund other anarchist activities. Of course, they were able to be lifelong illegalists because they all died fighting the state...

edited to spell the title of the book that is over my right shoulder correctly - thanks, dot! :)

by (22.1k points)
edited by

I don't know a bunch, but as I understand it, some of their money funded l'Anarchie which was an individualist periodical.

by (22.1k points)
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