What the Left Can Learn From Occupy Wall Street

Abstract

The most enduring lesson of Occupy Wall Street is the value of dynamically assembling different tendencies into a multitudinous force. Anarchist leadership was central to launching the movement, but contributions from socialists and social democrats were integral to its overall success. Moreover, the limitations of anarchist-inspired movement features, such as horizontalism and refusing demands, began to reveal themselves as the encampments advanced. This is further evidence of the value of dynamic assembly, versus anarchist or socialist universality.