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Against the State by James Stout

Against the State

Anarchists and Comrades at War in Spain, Myanmar, and Rojava

James Stout

AK Press · Print & ebook · January 30, 2026

A book about those that cannot wait any longer for the world to change.

Revolutionary HistoryAnarchismOther Military Conflicts
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Who it’s for
James Stout examines anarchist movements in Spain, Myanmar, and Rojava.
Genres
Anarchism, Revolutionary History, Other Military Conflicts
Published
AK Press, January 30, 2026

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For younger readers: Anarchy Explained to Children, Hear Ye Mortals, A Young People's History of the United States, Volume 2

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About this book

A book about those that cannot wait any longer for the world to change. Young revolutionaries in Myanmar and Rojava, colloquially referred to by journalist James Stout as “anarchists” for their nonhierarchical forms of organization based on mutual aid and solidarity, face incredible danger to pursue their expression of freedom. Against the State seeks to understand these anarchists, to honor their struggles, and ask tough questions about confronting the state.

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Stout contrasts these contemporary movements with the Spanish Civil War and Revolution where workers in 1936 fought capitalism and fascism. Crucially, the book presents these movements as evolving and innovative, and centers the voices of those too often overlooked in conflict studies and misunderstood by Western radical movements.

Anarchists at War

James Stout examines anarchist movements in Spain, Myanmar, and Rojava.

Come here for

  • Nonhierarchical forms of organization
  • Mutual aid and solidarity across movements

Expect

  • A contrast with Spain’s 1936 revolution
  • Voices often overlooked in conflict studies

Where it sits

Anarchism95%
Revolutionary History57%
Other Military Conflicts29%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Other Military Conflicts
  • Anarchism
  • Feminist Theory & Criticism
Authors
James Stout
Publisher
AK Press
Published
January 30, 2026
Format
Print & ebook
Reading lane
Other Military Conflicts