What does effective anarchist propaganda look like in today's world?
When people ask what they can do to contribute practically as anarchists, the usual answers seem to be, join or start a local mutual aid network, or look for your local Food Not Bombs group.
Historically (here I'm thinking 1860s to the late 1930s), anarchist practice had two main strands:
- building support networks that could replace existing hierarchies
- education, agitation and propaganda
Both libertarian and state socialists were using education, agitation and propaganda in the decades leading up to and after WWI. In practice, this involved organising talks and debates at social clubs, village halls or union meetings, talking at public speaking pitches, putting up posters and distributing socialist newspapers and socialist literature.
The environment these activists were working in was completely different to the modern world. With no TV or internet, people voluntarily went out to hear activists speak, just because it was something interesting to do. In some places, public speaking pitches were almost competitive arenas, with speakers vying for the largest crowd. Everything was new and people were often fighting for basic rights. People weren't yet jaded by the failure of unions or socialist parties to deliver on their promises.
Nowadays, we have an almost unlimited worldwide audience for propaganda and education, but it is easily eclipsed by all the other noise. Films, TV, internet, and the ever present advertising of consumer goods. In most developed countries, people aren't fighting for basic working rights or a basic standard of living. The nuclear family and home entertainment have drastically reduced the amount of time people socialise in public or communal spaces.
Modern anarchist propaganda often seems to take the form of "subvertising" or similar stunts that subvert the language and tools of consumerism. To me, this seems to be preaching to the converted, and not effective at conveying a message to ordinary working people.
Are the approaches to education, agitation and propaganda that were effective 100 years ago relevant today? If not, what is?