The anarchist potluck

Consider the family potluck dinner as an analogy. Or maybe something more than just analogy.

I grew up in a large extended family who regularly got together for potluck dinners. Although there was some communication beforehand in terms of who was thinking of bringing what and what sorts of items might be needed (Grandma Ginna definitely needs to make her famous huckleberry pie!) each person was free to bring whatever they thought was best. There was no one in charge of organizing the menu. And some people brought very little or nothing at all.

Despite all this, somehow there was always more than enough to go around, all food groups were well represented, and even the folks who didn’t bring food themselves went home with leftovers. Actually, especially them.

An unorganized family potluck is in many ways the antithesis of efficiency. But it is also a paradigmatic example of anarchist community action. No top-down directives, no systematic structure, just autonomous individuals with a clear purpose and a sense of commitment to the community experience. 

Author: Mark Seely

Mark Seely is an award-winning writer, social critic, professional educator, and cognitive psychologist. He is presently employed as full-time faculty in the psychology department at Edmonds College in Lynnwood, Washington. He was formerly Associate Professor and Chair of Psychology at Saint Joseph's College, Indiana, where for twenty years he taught statistics, a wide variety of psychology courses, and an interdisciplinary course on human biological and cultural evolution. Originally from Spokane, Dr. Seely now resides in Marysville.