Rudolf Rocker

Rudolf Rocker (1873-1958) was a prominent anarcho-syndicalist thinker and activist who emphasized the importance of workers' self-management and direct action in achieving social change. He believed that traditional political systems and capitalism were oppressive, advocating instead for a society based on voluntary cooperation and mutual aid. Rocker highlighted the role of culture in fostering freedom, arguing that true liberation involves both political and cultural dimensions. His writings and activism aimed to inspire workers to organize themselves into federations, rejecting hierarchical structures and promoting grassroots, democratic decision-making. Rocker's ideas continue to influence contemporary anarchist and labor movements.