Colin Ward has died

by Chris Bertram on February 14, 2010

Colin Ward, one of the most interesting anarchist writers of modern times, has died. Stuart White has a fine appreciation over at Next Left.

{ 5 comments }

1

jacob 02.15.10 at 12:22 am

I read Anarchy in Action in a course at Yale taught by Jim Scott. The course generally, but that book in particular, had a deep affect on me intellectually and politically. Ward’s metaphor of self organization as a “a seed beneath the snow, buried under the weight of the state,” is central to the argument in my dissertation. I of course did not know Ward personally, but I’m saddened nonetheless.

2

Chris Williams 02.15.10 at 10:33 am

Damn. Every time I pass a homebuilt shack backing onto a waterway I think of Ward. I met him once after a talk and he was a thoroughly good chap. He’ll be missed.

3

Sam C 02.15.10 at 11:33 am

I was also deeply affected by Ward’s Anarchy in Action, and I’m sad to hear this.

4

Shmoe 02.16.10 at 3:20 am

Saddening. However, Britain, as a society, should be proud. Proud of producing, such a compassionate, compelling, and useful son. Proud, of the fact that they not only tolerated and allowed such dissent, but produced such dissenters.

P.S.: I say this, lest anyone think I’m engaged in some sort of twisted jingoism, as an American admirer of Ward’s. Furthermore, perhaps it would be more politic for me to say, England should be proud, or even, Wantstead should be proud; but that’s a different discussion.

5

Gudmundur 02.18.10 at 2:09 pm

Sad news. I, too, read Anarchy in Action and was deeply touched by it, especially his thoughts on housing and urban development, subjects I’m especially interested in. Indeed, after reading a lot of theoretical claptrap on those subjects, Wards writings are a breath of fresh air. One can only imagine how our cities would be like if his ideas had been more prevalent among those in power.

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