Emma Goldman, "Anarchism: What it Really Stands for"

Question 1

How does Anarchism view the State?

Answer 1

• Anarchism views all forms of government as resting on violence and therefore wrong, harmful, and unnecessary.
• It believes the State is only necessary to maintain or protect property and monopoly.
• Anarchists see the State as an economic master to its servants and as the altar of political freedom that demands human sacrifice.
• They advocate for direct action and open defiance of all laws and restrictions because true liberty is taken, not given.

EX: Goldman argues that the State is “merely a tool in the hands of the strong, the rich, the unscrupulous” to maintain their power and privilege. This highlights the Anarchist critique of the State as serving the interests of the elite at the expense of the masses.

Question 2

What is the Anarchist perspective on human nature?

Answer 2

• Anarchists believe that human nature is not inherently wicked or weak as many claim.
• They argue that current societal structures, which restrict and punish individuals, distort our understanding of human potential.
• Only in freedom and with opportunity can the true and wonderful possibilities of human nature be realized.
• Anarchists acknowledge that heredity is not the only factor shaping character, but that environment plays a crucial role.

EX: “Freedom, expansion, opportunity, and, above all, peace and repose, alone can teach us the real dominant factors of human nature and all its wonderful possibilities.” This statement underscores the Anarchist belief in the transformative power of freedom to allow for the full expression of human potential.

Question 3

How does Anarchism relate to the concept of the social contract?

Answer 3

• Anarchism rejects the idea of the social contract, where individuals surrender certain rights to the State in exchange for protection and order.
• Anarchists believe that this “contract” is inherently coercive and results in the subordination of the individual to institutions like religion, property, and government.
• They see these institutions as forms of enslavement that limit human potential.
• Instead of a social contract, Anarchists advocate for free and voluntary associations based on cooperation and mutual aid.

EX: Anarchism is the only philosophy which brings to man the consciousness of himself; which maintains that God, the State, and society are non-existent, that their promises are null and void, since they can be fulfilled only through man’s subordination.” This passage clearly articulates the Anarchist rejection of the social contract and its underlying assumption that individuals must give up autonomy for societal benefits.