Anarchism - Emma Goldman

Question 1

What is anarchism according to Goldman

Answer 1

The philosophy of a new social order bases on liberty, unrestricted by man-made law.
Th theory that all forms of government rest on violence, and therefore are wrong and harmful, as well as unnecessary

Question 2

2 objections to anarchy by Goldman

Answer 2

• beautiful but not practical idea
• stands for violence and destruction

Question 3

Views on anarchism by Goldman

Answer 3

1) “Yes, anarchism seeks to destroy ignorance and those forces that are parasitic on life’s essence and society”
2) “Anarchism declares war against pernicious forces who prevented harmonious blending of the individual and society.” (P.3)
- anarchism is liberation of the human mind from the dominion of property; liberation from the shackles and restraint of government.
Anarchism stands for a social order based on the free grouping of individuals for the purpose of producing real social wealth: an order that will guarantee to every human free access to earth and full enjoyment of the necessities of life, according to individual desires, tastes, inclinations (p.7)

Question 4

What are these forces

Answer 4

1) religion = intellectual bondage
2) property = property is theft
3) government/ state = “greatest foe of all social equality” (p.5)

Question 5

Key concept: Legitimate government

Answer 5

• there isn’t any
• repudiation of all received modern wisdom
• all government subordinates individual + Annihilates individual freedom
• exists only to maintain and protect property/ monopoly (p.5)

Question 6

Key concept: Anarchist theory of the state

Answer 6

“Philosophy of the sovereignty of the individual. it is the theory of social harmony” (p.9)

Question 8

Key concept: Methods of great anarchic reconstruction of society

Answer 8

• direct action, the open defiance of, and resistance to all laws and restrictions, economic, social, moral(p.8)
• propaganda of the deed