Animal Liberation and Social Revolution (A6)

SKU: 9781909798946
Author: Brian A. Dominick
Publisher: Active Distribution
ISBN: 9781909798946
Published: 2021
Format: Pamphlet
Size: 4.1 x 5.8
Page count: 40
Subjects: Animal Rights, Anarchism, Veganism

Price:

$4.00

Overview

A Vegan Perspective on Anarchism, or an Anarchist Perspective on Veganism written by Brian Dominick in 1995 – and introducing the term “Veganarchism” – this text sets out to demonstrate that any approach to social change must be comprised of an understanding not only of social relationships, but also of the relationships between humans and non-human animals. However, it also shows that, in turn, animal liberation itself will never be a feasible approach without understanding and participating in the wider social revolutionary endeavour.

From the text:

“To embrace veganism and forgo the consumption and utilization of animal products is not an end, but a beginning; a new start affording the practitioner an opportunity to see everyday realities in a different light.

However, to speak of the suffering of non-human animals and the benefits of a vegan lifestyle is often a disheartening situation to the vegan, for typically the first reaction of her audience is to disagree. Opponents of veganism say that the way vegans view human-animal relationships (i.e. radically) is wrong, and that, looming on the horizon, is a severe cost for such blatant societal insubordination. Ultimately, they prophesize, the error of veganism will become obvious and, eventually, the idea thrown away.

In a strange way, however, veganisms’s critics are correct. Not until one realizes what makes veganism “unreasonable,” will the individual realize the true reasoning behind what it means to be vegan. Not until one questions what it is that depicts veganism as “wrong,” in the eyes of non-vegans will one gain the ability to adequately address the wrongs driving their refusal to accept humanity’s violent and unwarranted treatment of non-human animals. Not until the principles of veganism are applied to the rubric of injustice as a whole will one understand the need for veganism at all. They are correct because veganism in isolation defeats the purpose for which it is intended. And so it goes, for the alienation experienced as an effect of breaking social conventions is often enough to make one “question” her commitment to veganism."

As a philosophy, veganism stands in defiance to ideologies touching the core of Western thought. Opposed to the irrational belief systems which establishment institutions socialize people to “accept,” the principles of veganism challenge individuals to confront the dogma they are issued and to construct new ethics and values based on the premises of compassion and justice.

This pamphlet has had various incarnations one of which was published by Active back in 2008. It is available online from The Anarchist Library.

This edition published by Active Distribution May 2021 as an A6 booklet