I'm using those terms in an anarchist context. These libertarian socialist guerillas are hardcore anti-authoritarians. Officers are appointed through internal elections and they are supposed to be recallable if their egos or incompetence is getting in the way of the unit's functioning. Another way to put it is to say it's supposed to be a competence/functional hierarchy rather than a value/dominance hierarchy. You have to first understand that the YPG internationalists are not paid to be there, they are doing this voluntarily for free because they believe in the revolution. There is of course 'discipline' but the structure of the unit isn't disciplinary: there are no drill sergeants, no punishments, no getting yelled at, no climbing up the ranks for better pay and prestige. Leaders are supposed to put themselves on the same level as others, they are just chosen to make certain decisions for time constraint/efficiency purposes. Of course if you're incompetent or dangerous to others they'll warn you or send you home.
Well, he did take down the video, he just thought it was strange that those specific criticisms were made when there are other official videos that are still up and don't obey those rules. Also the suicide thing is pretty interesting because it directly seems to link to incompetence, if what he says is true, the guy had to do bureaucratic work for a drug addicted commander for 5-6 months and was terribly depressed, he had only signed up to fight and kill ISIS members. |
