Ubristes

Ubristes were a radical anarchist group active primarily in France during the 1950s. The name "Ubriste" is derived from "UB," itself short for Union de Base, meaning "Base Union." They advocated for a form of workers' self-management and direct action to achieve a libertarian communist society.

The Ubristes distinguished themselves from traditional anarchists by their emphasis on workplace organizing and their critique of established labor unions, which they saw as bureaucratic and co-opted by the state. They aimed to create autonomous worker-controlled unions at the base level, independent of centralized authority.

A key figure associated with the Ubristes was Henri Lefebvre, a prominent French philosopher and sociologist, although his direct involvement and the precise nature of his relationship remain subject to interpretation and debate among historians. The group's activities included attempts to organize workers in various industries and spread their ideas through publications and meetings.

The Ubriste movement ultimately proved short-lived. Internal disagreements, state repression, and the broader political climate of the time contributed to its decline. Despite its relatively brief existence, the Ubriste experience has been influential in the history of anarcho-syndicalism and worker self-management theories. Their focus on direct action and autonomous organization continues to resonate with contemporary anarchist and anti-authoritarian movements.