Anti-colonialism and direct democracy

Written Yavor Tarinski

We don’t aim to seize colonial state power but to abolish it.
We seek nothing but total liberation.
~Indigenous Action[1]

Colonialism is still an issue today, as patterns of colonial exploitation continue in different parts of the world. Although the form might have changed, it is nonetheless still there. But the usage of anti-colonial narrative by the likes of Putin to justify their neo-colonial actions[2] has only contributed to the confusion among segments of the Western Left[3] of what the essence of fighting colonial rule really is.

Смъртоносният влаков сблъсък в Гърция разкрива нефункционалността на държавата и капитализма

Автор: Явор Тарински

На 28 февруари 2023 г. се случи челен сблъсък между два влака в района на Тесалия, Гърция, при който загинаха най-малко 57 души, което го превърна в най-смъртоносната железопътна катастрофа в историята на Гърция.

A Legacy of Autonomy & the Kurdish Freedom Movement

by Yavor Tarinski

“Many different alternative movements around the world simply refused to stop imagining that another world is possible: Öcalan and the Kurdish freedom movement belong to this category.”

~ Havin Guneser

Ποιος θα φυλάει τους φύλακες; Η άμεση δημοκρατία ως δυσπιστία προς την εξουσία

του Yavor Tarinski

«Δεν υπάρχει πλέον κανένας έλεγχος στην πολιτική ζωή, δεν υπάρχουν κυρώσεις πέραν εκείνων του ποινικού κώδικα, ο οποίος, όπως έδειξαν διάφορες “υποθέσεις”, λειτουργεί όλο και λιγότερο. Εν πάση περιπτώσει, σε μια τέτοια κατάσταση τίθεται το ερώτημα, όπως πάντα: “Και γιατί στο διάβολο οι ίδιοι οι δικαστές ή οι ‘επόπτες’ τους να εξαιρούνται από τη γενική διαφθορά και για πόσο καιρό; Ποιος θα φυλά τους φύλακες;» [1]  ~Κορνήλιος Καστοριάδης

La importancia de la autoinstitución en el movimiento libertario

By Yavor Tarinski

«Todas las instituciones políticas son manifestaciones y materializaciones del poder; se fosilizan y desintegran en cuanto el poder vivo del pueblo deja de mantenerlas unidas»
Hannah Arendt[1]

Hoy oímos constantemente que el sistema político occidental está en profunda crisis, al tiempo que se presentan diversas formas de resolver este fenómeno: desde llamamientos a alianzas internacionales más amplias y profundas hasta un retorno al Estado-nación. Pero una cosa parece ser cierta para la mayoría de los regímenes, independientemente de su manto ideológico: la bancarrota de sus fundamentos políticos, es decir, su estructura oligárquica.

Colisão mortal de trem na Grécia revela a disfuncionalidade do estado e do capitalismo

Por Yavor Tarinski

Em 28 de fevereiro de 2023, ocorreu uma colisão frontal entre dois trens na região da Tessália, na Grécia, matando pelo menos 57 pessoas, tornando-se o desastre ferroviário mais mortal da história grega.

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.