Peter Krapotkin Flashcards
Krapotkin and his opposition to the social Darwinism theory
Social Darwinism theory = survival of the fittest : under capitalism, certain humans in society become more powerful due to them being innately better
Those who succeed prosper, those who fail become poor
Shows inequality as natural, which Krapotkin disagreed with
Argued in the animal kingdom, most animals are cooperative, not competitive. Most live in natural social groups + engage in mutual aid
In his book ‘Mutual Aid : A Factor Of Evolution’, he commented this was the natural state of mankind
Krapotkin’s view on the relationship between a close-knit society and individual liberty
No contradiction between individual liberty and a close-knit society
In an ideal society, all share the same sense of justice + natural law
Therefore artificial law enforcement is unnecessary
Krapotkin’s brand of anarcho-communism
Proposed the creation if natural communities
If people were free to join the communities they wished to join, they would not be subjected to force
Eventually, these communities would be self-sufficient + prosperous
In these communities, without scarcity and competition there would be no inequality
Plans described in his book ‘Fields, Factories and Workshops’ - 1898
Krapotkin’s view of the Russian Revolution
Krapotkin returned home in 1917 during revolution after years of exile
Saw an opportunity to put plans in practice
Although his ideal communities were peaceful and natural, Krapotkin was a revolutionary who agreed that to overthrow the state, violence may be needed
Disappointed with the Bolsheviks - he wanted to destroy the state all together, not just create a new oppressive one. Went against his small communities
By his death in 1921, he was deeply unhappy with the Bolshevik state under Lenin. He had envisioned a very different form of communism
