Recently, I have delved into the origins of the American Labor Movement, focusing on the formation of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and its members, often referred to as the Wobblies. At its zenith in 1917, the IWW boasted over 150,000 members globally, wielding considerable power and influence. Although the IWW was theoretically socialist-leaning, many of its fundamental principles became integral to the American Labor movement, playing a crucial role in the rise of organized labor and a robust working class in the wake of the Industrial Revolution. The similarities between some of the IWW’s foundations and ideologies and those of Bitcoin are striking, and I will illustrate these connections using quotes, rather than burden you with exhaustive historical details.
All quotes are sourced from the book “Wobblies: A Graphic History of The Industrial Workers of the World” by Buhle and Schulman.
Origins and Genesis
“No one can say exactly where the inspiration for the IWW came from. The origins are too numerous both in the U.S. and abroad…”
In a similar vein, the origin of the term Wobblies remains ambiguous. While some of the lore surrounding Bitcoin is familiar, its beginnings are well-documented through white papers and email exchanges; however, the identity of its creator or creators remains a mystery. As Bitcoin gained traction, its growth was both decentralized and organic. Additionally, while the IWW and the broader American Labor Movement drew from previous inspirations, they were innovators in uniting labor across various demographic divides such as ethnicity, gender, and religion.
“After the Civil War, massive industry grew up faster than anyone could have imagined, with previously unthinkable wealth accruing to the bankers but with millions of desperately poor working people, employed at low wages or unemployed in the frequent economic recessions”
This narrative resonates today from the financial crises to post-COVID wealth concentration among billionaires, as well as the current boom attributed to AI, robotics, and self-automation. Yet, recessions are now almost prohibited, supplanted by government interventions that render vast systems like pensions and social security akin to welfare and dependence.
Wobblies and Bitcoiners
“The Wobbly, male or female, Asian or Occidental, black, brown, red or white, was only an ordinary human being in physique”
We hold a similar view of Bitcoiners. Many of the most inspiring individuals we have encountered are within this space. It is the tenacity, character, and determination that not only lead individuals to discover and understand Bitcoin, but also shape the transformative journey they undertake to truly comprehend Bitcoin and share its message, highlighting what many of us believe to be one of the most talented and driven communities worldwide.
“Their story was collaborative, collective, not reliant on any one hero or heroine-as heroic (or tragic) as individual Wobblies lives might be.”
Let go of your heroes. Embrace humility. Bitcoin flourishes independently of any individual.
Solidarity: A Movement Greater Than the Individual
“The world of the Wobblies was one realized in its best moments by solidarity across race, ethnic, gender and nationality lines”
The strength of Bitcoin lies in its ability to necessitate no trust between those who exchange with one another. This trait allows us to dismantle the instinctive examination based on differences, often arising from paranoia and fear. While blind solidarity among Bitcoiners might contrast with the “don’t trust, verify” ethos, there exists a natural connection among Bitcoiners. I believe that the future of Bitcoin, particularly as it faces significant challenges, hinges on a strengthened solidarity among those who embrace its Genesis, core values, and an unwavering commitment to honesty, authenticity, and trustlessness.
AFL vs. Knights of Labor
“The earliest mass movement for an eight-hour workday during 1885-86 highlighted the different roles of two kinds of labor movements. The American Federation of Labor, founded in 1883, sought to organize skilled workers (almost entirely white and male) only… whereas the Knights of Labor, founded in 1869 as a secret society, extended its membership to almost all workers (except Chinese), including African-Americans and women.”
The AFL, representing an exclusive country club model of membership, survived the eventual decline of the Knights of Labor and continues to exist today as the AFL-CIO. Reflecting on the differing philosophies of the AFL and Knights of Labor invites comparisons to the Bitcoin community, including recurring criticisms of Bitcoin Maximalists and the broader Bitcoin versus Crypto discourse. I’ll leave you, the reader, to draw your own conclusions, as associations are inherently imprecise.
The Movement
“In the industrially advanced United States, the working class had been prepared ready to assume control of society and to replace ‘politics’ and the ‘State’ with a government of direct rule. As Marx had pointed out about the Paris Commune (and Lenin would repeat for the Soviets), the existing government apparatus could not be infiltrated and taken over piece-meal; it had to be dissolved and replaced by a truly democratic, modern form of government.”
Within Bitcoin, there exist two perspectives: one advocating for the complete collapse of the current financial system in favor of a Bitcoin Standard, and another believing Bitcoin can coexist with and even outpace the existing financial structure without necessitating its downfall. Although money and government are not identical, the extent of money’s entrenchment in the legacy financial system is substantial, often igniting intriguing debates among Bitcoiners.
“For the IWW…the familiar problem of the socialist movement being notoriously small in the US could be solved in a new way. ‘Educating’ workers into becoming socialists, through newspapers, speeches and election campaigns, was too passive and not very successful. Workers needed to educate themselves, in and through their own actions and self-organization.”
This presents some contrasting parallels. I am immediately reminded of a core tenet among Bitcoiners: no one can traverse this path for you. The Proof of Work cannot be ignored or circumvented. No individual or group can bypass the pursuit of knowledge, both about Bitcoin and the system it aims to transform. Those individuals and organizations that neglect continuous learning often find themselves facing loss or disillusionment. In contrast, those who embrace the challenge discover a deep understanding of money, with very few—if any—ever regressing after comprehensively grasping Bitcoin.
At the same time, I cannot overlook the persistent attempts by an oligarchy to implement a decade-long negative media campaign against Bitcoin. Although this strategy delayed momentum, it was ultimately ineffective. Recently, I casually asked pedestrians at the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica about their views on Bitcoin, and the overwhelming feedback was positive and based on some level of understanding. The effort to dissuade individuals from exploring Bitcoin merely postponed the inevitable. Because nothing can hinder an idea whose time has arrived.
Conclusions
This Labor Day, I reflect on the highly polarized two-party political system prevalent in today’s dominant world power. I observe labor unions aligning with one of the parties, causing division within their own ranks, and I see a labor movement that has strayed from its foundational principles. While the IWW experienced its rise and fall, its peak symbolized a steadfast movement, a solidarity, and a commitment to the worker above all else. There’s power in that, and I notice parallels today within Bitcoin.
The fundamental principles of Bitcoin transcend our differences and are worth advocating for. At Proof of Workforce, we champion these values through educational initiatives promoting Bitcoin adoption among workers, unions, pension funds, and municipalities. In doing so, we are sharing not merely Bitcoin as an asset or Bitcoin as a network, but the very essence of Bitcoin’s Genesis and its values, ensuring they are not lost in the sands of time.
Ultimately, Bitcoin represents a natural evolution of the labor movement, echoing many of its similarities and parallels. However, distinct from the labor movement, workers can turn to Bitcoin without allegiance to any political party, leader, or oligarchy. In this regard, Bitcoin and its foundational values are set to be embraced by unions worldwide. This alignment allows unions to reconnect with their Genesis story—a narrative that prioritizes solidarity above all, where workers unite to safeguard the productive property arising from their labor. A narrative for a moment when, as many workers risk becoming obsolete due to automation and AI, the unions that represent them proactively look ahead and seize ownership of the most accessible and promising productive asset available today: Bitcoin.
This is a guest post by Dom Bei. The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine.
