Deadly train collision in Greece reveals the dysfunctionality of state and capitalism

By Yavor Tarinski

On 28th of February 2023, a head-on collision occurred between two trains in the Thessaly region of Greece, killing at least 57 people, making it the deadliest rail disaster in Greek history.

On why Referendums aren’t synonymous with Direct Democracy

Written by Yavor Tarinski

A vote, even a free vote, may be only – and often is only – a parody of democracy. Democracy is not the right to vote on secondary issues. Real [democracy] lies in being able to decide for oneself on all essential questions in full knowledge of the relevant facts.

~Cornelius Castoriadis[1]

For years a tool known as referendum, or plebiscite, has been synonymous with direct democracy. This has led to a gross misunderstanding of what the latter really stands for, which in turn has allowed different authoritarian formations to use this term in a symbolic projection of their supposed popularity.

Who will Guard the Guardians: Direct Democracy as Suspicion of Authority

By Yavor Tarinski

There no longer are any checks on political life, no sanctions beyond those of the penal code, which, as various “affairs” have shown, functions less and less. At any rate, in such a situation the question is posed, as it always has been: “And why the devil would judge themselves, or their ‘overseers,’ be exempt from the general corruption, and for how long? Who will guard the guardians?” [1]

~Cornelius Castoriadis

Exarcheia, the subway station, and public space

By Yavor Tarinski

First of all it is important to underline that public transport (tram, subway, bus) is immensely important as it allows for ecological and inclusive movement throughout the city. With the usage of all the different types of public transport a vast and comfortable transportation network can be developed to challenge the domination of the private car on our streets – domination that makes urban life worse by air and noise pollution, frequent accidents, and the exclusion of the most marginalised economically.

Political Challenges in the Crisis of Criticism

By Yavor Tarinski

There is here a conspiracy—not in the legal sense but in the etymological sense: everything “conspires,” “breathes together,” is blowing in the same direction—of a society in which all criticism is losing its effectiveness.
~ Cornelius Castoriadis¹

From Pseudo-rationalism to Rationality as a quality of thought

By Yavor Tarinski

We are no more nature rendered self-conscious than we are humanity rendered self-conscious. Reason may give us the capacity to play this role, but we and our society are still totally irrational – indeed, we are cunningly dangerous to ourselves and all that lives around us

~Murray Bookchin[1]

The dominant narrative today tells a story of linear progress, in which humanity is gradually becoming more reasonable and rational.[2] We are told that we travel from ages of darkness toward times of enlightenment. And, supposedly, this tendency can be delayed, but cannot be stopped. Or so the narrative goes…

“Leftists” outside Ukraine are used to listening only to people from Moscow: Interview with anarcho-syndicalists in Eastern Ukraine

Yavor Tarinski from the Greek libertarian journal Aftoleksi interviews two anarchists from eastern Ukraine. They themselves were politically active for decades in eastern Ukraine until before the 2014 invasion – where the possibility of any unmediated political action collapsed. They are both what many people tend to simplistically call “Russian-speaking” citizens of Ukraine. This interview was prompted by the referendums conducted by the occupying Russian forces in that region, as well as the resurfacing of fake news about their anarchist organization RKAS, in which they themselves participated and were founding members. We continue to give voice to those directly involved in this barbaric war of physical violence and vilification. A voice that states and organized political interests are attempting to silence.

Asking questions with the Zapatistas: Reflections from Greece on our Civilizational Impasse

Title: Asking questions with the Zapatistas. Reflections from Greece on our Civilizational Impasse

Authors: Theodoros Karyotis, Ioanna-Maria Maravelidi, Yavor Tarinski

Editor: Matthew Little

Cover: Apollon Petropoulos

Design: George Chelebiev

Publisher: Transnational Institute of Social Ecology

Year: 2022

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Beyond Self-Help and Esotericism: Freedom as Political Action

By Yavor Tarinski

Without action, all pleasure, all feeling, all knowledge is nothing but a postponed death.

~Jakob Michael Reinhold Lenz[1]

Democratic Aspirations: Book presentation

Yavor Tarinski in dialogue with Brian Tokar about Tarinski’s new book, Concepts for a Democratic and Ecological Society. The event was hosted by Firestorm Books and Coffee.

The Commune and the Balkans: The Case of Bulgaria

By Yavor Tarinski

If we are to try to identify some of the most important aspects of the history of the Balkans, we cannot but point out the persistent vision of a surprisingly consistent utopia…

~Andrej Grubacic[1]

Interview with a Finnish anarchist

Yavor Tarinski of Greek libertarian journal Aftoleksi interviews Antti Rautiainen, from Finnish antiauthoritarian group A-ryhmä, on the latest developments in Finland as it applies for Nato membership.

Democracy and Ecology as Forces of Change: Interview With Yavor Tarinski

Interview with author and activist Yavor Tarinski, whose latest book “Concepts for a Democratic and Ecological Society” (Zer0 books, 2022) has just came out. He participates in social movements around the Balkans, as well as in transnational organizations, dedicated to the production of grassroots knowledge. Among his previous works are “Common Futures: Social Transformation and Political Ecology” [co-authored with Alexandros Schismenos] (Black Rose Books, 2021) and “Direct Democracy: Context, Society, Individuality” (Durty Books, 2019). Questions: J.H. Kagi.

Yavor Tarinski on his “Concepts for a Democratic and Ecological Society”

Yavor Tarinski talks about his new book “Concepts for a Democratic and Ecological Society” (Zer0 Books, 2022) at the Humanity Now podcast.

Imagining Democratic and Ecological Society: An interview with Yavor Tarinski

An interview with author and activist Yavor Tarinsi on the occasion of the publication of his latest book “Concepts for a Democratic and Ecological Society” (Zer0 Books, 2022). Tarinski is an Athens-based independent researcher, activist and author. He participates in social movements around the Balkans, as well as in transnational organizations, dedicated to the production of grassroots knowledge. He is a member of the administrative board of the Transnational Institute of Social Ecology, the editorial board of the Greek digital journal & publications Aftoleksi, and is a bibliographer at Agora International. Among his works are “Common Futures: Social Transformation and Political Ecology” [co-authored with Alexandros Schismenos] (Black Rose Books, 2021) and “Direct Democracy: Context, Society, Individuality” (Durty Books, 2019). The questions for this interview were prepared by Not White.

Book launch: “Cities Without Capitalism”

Yavor Tarinski and other contributors to the anthology “Cities Without Capitalism” (edited by Hossein Sadri and Senem Zeybekoglou) present their chapters at the book launch, while also paying tribute to the memory of the great urban theorist Peter Marcuse.

Yavor Tarinski at the Humanity Now podcast

The Federalist Principle in Castoriadis’ Project of Direct Democracy

By Yavor Tarinski

A much more humane society is possible and desirable.

~Cornelius Castoriadis[1]

The philosopher Cornelius Castoriadis insisted that what he envisioned as project of autonomy- the project of a society in which all citizens have an equal, effectively actual possibility of participating in the institution of society – is far from a utopian vision. On the contrary, he was convinced that it is possible and its realization depends only upon the lucid activity of individuals and peoples, upon their understanding, their will, their imagination.[2]

Federalism in the Political Project of Castoriadis (Lecture by Yavor Tartinski)

The following lecture was delivered by Yavor Tarinski within the framework of the International Conference: “Cornelius Castoriadis: 1922-2022. One hundred years since the birth of the philosopher of autonomy”, that took place in March 11-13, 2022, at Department of Political Sciences, AUTh, Thessaloniki.

Interview with Yavor Tarinski about direct democracy, ecology, and self-determination

Dr. Jeff Miley of Peace in Kurdistan interviews Yavor Tarinski about the relationship between direct democracy and social ecology, and about the question of self-determination in the 21st century.