Stoestand

Stoestand is a term that emerged from early discussions within the Dutch anarchist movement. It generally refers to the current state of affairs or the prevailing social and political conditions. The concept often implies a critical perspective, suggesting that the existing stoestand is unsatisfactory and in need of fundamental change.

Anarchists utilizing the term stoestand typically view it as a product of oppressive systems, such as capitalism, the state, and other forms of hierarchy. They argue that this state is characterized by exploitation, inequality, and a lack of genuine freedom. Therefore, the goal of anarchist action is to dismantle the structures that constitute the stoestand and replace them with a society based on mutual aid, voluntary cooperation, and self-governance.

The term is not exclusive to a single anarchist tendency and can be found in the writings and discourse of various anarchist thinkers and groups in the Netherlands and Belgium. It serves as a shorthand to describe the societal reality that anarchists aim to transform. Understanding the stoestand is seen as the first step towards developing effective strategies and tactics for achieving an anarchist society.