Join us as we begin our discussion of James C. Scott’s The Art of Not Being Governed: An Anarchist History of Upland Southeast Asia.
 
The Art of Not Being Governed examines the historical reality of Zomia, the vast, mountainous region of Southeast Asia, focusing on how its inhabitants deliberately evaded state control for over two millennia. Scott explores the creation of stateless societies through mobile agriculture, fluid identities, and physical geography. The text invites us to look at a massive historical example of state evasion and to consider the possibilities of self-governance in the face of empires and state-making.
 
We’ll be exploring how these historical practices of autonomy and resistance can inform our own political imagination today.
All are welcome! Whether you are a lifelong anarchist or just beginning your journey, join us to read, discuss, and imagine a freer world together.