Mutualism

Question 1

Mutualist views on property

Answer 1

• Can be considered a bridge between collectivist and individualist anarchism.
• What is Property? (1840), whilst Proudhon’s suggestion that ‘property is theft’ is in line with collectivist anarchism, he was targeting large property owners who could exploit the masses by charging high rents and interests. He did not totally oppose private property, accepting that workers might own what they needed to manage their own production. Refereed to such as ‘possessions’ rather than ‘property’

Question 2

Mutualist view of associations?

Answer 2

• Principle concept of mutualism is based on individuals and small associations with the rights to possession, who would keep the full fruits of their labour. These individuals and associations could then exchange their produce based on a system of labour notes, to make sure everyone had access to the necessities of life
• On a political level, associations would be drawn together in a vast federation, with councils coordinating at local and international level. The councils would be made up of delegates form the associations who would be subject to instant recall. Mondragon Cooperative Federation in Spain which has the slogan ‘humanity at work’
• Proudhon has been considered a collectivist as he proposed a federal system of communes, very like those envisaged by Kropotkin. However he was also individualist as he saw workers and groups of workers freely entering into contracts with each other for the exchange of labour and goods