Russell Brand and social anarchism: “creating our own system”

Despite being seen as a ‘celebrity’ and contrary to the cynical comments of pundits, Russell Brand – recently voted 4th in a survey on the ‘most influential thinkers in the world’ – has proved he is no mere ideologue in his pivotal support for the direct action of tenants at the New Era housing estate in east London and who is now putting his money where his mouth is (by using the profits from his book, “Revolution”) to fund a community enterprise – a cafe and meeting place – that he sees as an example of localised social anarchism. There are other examples of this kind of enterprise in Britain, though far more in other countries, notably Greece, Spain and Mexico. These are explored… 

At the opening of the New Era cafe and community centre, Brand said: “We’ll start more of these social enterprises. Eventually we will trade with…