Utopianism

Question 1

What is the anarchist view on utopianism?

Answer 1

• Utopianism is a form of political thinking that constructs a model on an idealised future society in order to develop a critical analysis of existing societies
• Collectivist anarchists propose a new social system to replace both capitalism and the state itself. Propose a new social order based on mutual aid, common ownership of property and natural communities which people are free to form with whatever structure they wish
• Individualist anarchists believe in the abolition of the state and any kind of economic or social organisation. Most notable difference with collectivists, view the accumulation of property as a natural activity with everyone receiving what they are entitled to as long as it honestly obtained.

Question 2

How do anarchists justify their belief in utopianism?

Answer 2

• Most notably Kroptkin has defended utopian thinking arguing that it forces revolutionaries to question their assumptions about the natural order
• Forces revolutionaries to consider what they want to achieve and what practical strategies they will need to adopt to achieve it
• Edward Abbey, Down the River (1982), described utopianism as ‘not being a romantic fable but the hard headed realisation’

Question 3

Criticism of utopianism? (1)

Answer 3

• Anarchism has been a historical failure as no anarchist society has been created so in this sense it is unachievable
• However no ideal socialist or liberal society has been achieved either. Whilst no formal anarchist society has been created, there are numerous communities which have adopted such ideology such as Freetown Christiania in Copenhagen since 1971

Question 4

Criticism of utopianism? (2)

Answer 4

• Anarchism is unrealistic as its view of human nature is wrong and natural order will not happen.
• However anarchists argue that their ideology is based on a realistic understanding of human nature. Despite the presence of a state, humans have shown their altruism in forming organisations without authority. For example the Fejuve in Bolivia which since its creation in 1957 has been praised as a large, functioning example of an urban anarchist society
• Once more, at the fringes of the state, people organise into direct action communities such as the Reclaim the Streets movement. In 1996, a 9 hour party on the M41 included 2 stilt walkers in 18th century dress who had RTS, hidden under their skirts, drill holes in the road to plant trees.