Anarchism Flashcards
What is the primary idea of anarchism
The rejection of the state and all government institutions.
What is anarcho-syndicalism?
- Revolutionary trade unionism that uses mass strikes as working class power to inspire mass revolt.
- Based on the idea that workers are likely to group themselves by occupation as a form of solidarity, and can use their collective power to resist oppression.
- Often known as a philosophy of direct action and violence.
- Workers can bring down the established order through mass strike.
- Noam Chomsky describes himself as an anarcho-syndicalist.
How similar is the syndicalist view of HN to other collectivists
- Very similar, but places even greater weight on solidarity.
- Potentially differs in viewing grouping by labour as fundamental to the human condition.
- Agreement with Malatesta (anarcho-communist) that society should be organised by labour type.
Direct democracy in relation to anarchism
Individuals directly voting on all legislative issues rather than working through elected representatives.
Solidarity in relation to anarchism
The idea that people in society will have relationships which are sympathetic,cooperative, and harmonic without the need of a state.
Mutualism
A system of mutually beneficial free exchange of goods/services between individuals.
Collectivisation
The abolishment of private property and its replacement with collectively owned means of production.
Mutual aid
Written about by Peter Kropotkin, he denounces social darwinism and proclaims that species naturally flourish through cooperation, not competition, and that this is therefore the best way for human society to function.
Anarcho-syndicalists on the economy
- Capitalism must be abolished, and for this to be achieved the state must also be abolished.
- Capitalism should be replaced by independent, self-governing, but cooperative federations/syndicates of workers.
- These syndicates/trade unions are grouped by labour type, and will independently yet collectively own their means of production.
- Trade will take place on mutually benefical terms, with goods valued based on the labour which went into producing them.
- Essentially decentralised socialism.
Anarcho-communism and mutualism
Human nature
- Naturally social
- Naturally empathetic.
- Capable of self-government
- Mutual aid is part of HN - replaces need for state.
- Natural to mankind to divide the fruits of labour equally.
Collectivists on the economy
- Capitalism does not value goods correctly, as it does not value a person’s labour.
- Capitalism should be destroyed and replaced with common ownership of the means of production.
- Means of production should be organised by smaller natural communities.
- Anarcho-communism does not propose collevtivisation - communes should be free and voluntary.
Individualist anarchism: egoism and human nature
- Mainly associated with Max Stirner
- Pursuing our own selfish self-interest is the main driver of human beings, and we will do this even at the expense of others.
- We are rational so understand our self-interests, but do not have morality.
- Social morality merely constrains us from being truly free.
- Humans only cooperate when in pursuit of self-interest, so communities can be describes as ‘unions of egoists.’
Egoists on society, state, economy
- Oppose any form of organised society - reputation for extreme violence. Sergei Nechaev - believed that the revolution can have no morality.
- Share the anarchist hatred of the state but offer few ideas to replace it.
- No coherent economic ideas except that individuals would freely trade with eachother so long as it is in their self-interest.
- Insurrection rather than revolution - revolution has future goals, whereas insurrection aims only to deconstruct.
- Stirner - accumulation of property is main economic driver.
Anarcho-capitalism
- Idea developed by Murray Rothbard in the 1900’s.
- Economic freedom is fundamental, but is threatened by the state. The state cannot interfere in the economy as it is to deny what is natural.
- Opposed to taxation as it is a form of theft - we are entitled to everything we earn.
- Pursuit of self-interest in natural and good for economic growth.
- Capitalism relies on free competition.
- Disorder in a society is prevented by self-interest.
- Socially darwinian where the fittest prosper.
Pierre Joseph Proudhon: key info and economics
Mutualism
* Lived 1809-65
* Wrote ‘what is property?’ where he famously said ‘property is theft.’ Also first person to use the word ‘anarchist’.
* Not totally opposed to private property:
- Anti property used to oppress workers or promote inequality - property such as factories, land, etc allow one person to have unfair power over another.
- Recognised that workers can own what they need to manage production, but called these ‘possessions’ rather than property.
* Unusual for his day as he proposed a peaceful deconstruction of the state, even after becoming a member of the French parliament.
* Close to socialism on private property, just opposed a state as he felt it would become oppresive.
* Mutually beneficial free trade should/will take place, with goods valued based on Labour put in.
