CZM Book Club: Against the State by James Stout

In this episode of Cool Zone Media Book Club, host Margaret Kiljoy and guest James Stout discuss Stout's nonfiction book *Against the State*, which explores anarchist movements in Rojava (Syria), Myanmar, and during the Spanish Civil War. The conversation centers on how marginalized communities have organized horizontally—without centralized authority—during times of war and state violence. Stout recounts his firsthand experiences reporting from conflict zones, emphasizing the resilience and self-organized governance of people in Rojava and the Burmese mountains, where state control is weak or absent. He highlights how these communities, despite facing relentless bombardment and political repression, have built democratic, multi-ethnic societies based on mutual aid and direct democracy. The episode also honors three anarchist fighters killed in Ukraine in 2023, underscoring the global, often unheralded, sacrifices made by anti-state activists. Throughout, the hosts reflect on the emotional weight of witnessing such struggles and the profound hope embedded in grassroots resistance. The discussion culminates in a powerful affirmation that anarchism is not a rigid doctrine but a living practice rooted in care, solidarity, and the desire for freedom. Key takeaways include: 1) Horizontal organizing can thrive even in war zones, as seen in Rojava and Myanmar; 2) The state is not inevitable—people have historically chosen to live outside its control; 3) Anarchist values like mutual aid and anti-authoritarianism are not abstract ideals but lived realities in conflict zones; 4) Identity and solidarity can transcend ethnic divisions when people face shared oppression; 5) The future of liberation lies in decentralized, community-based power, not state-centric revolution; 6) People are not 'wild' or 'backward' for resisting the state—they are choosing freedom; 7) The global anarchist movement is more interconnected than often acknowledged, with young revolutionaries in Myanmar and Rojava finding solidarity across continents; 8) True political change begins not with elections, but with everyday acts of care and resistance.