Anarchsim (Full Flashcards)

Rejection of the State

Anarcho-communists advocate for abolishing the state and promoting voluntary associations like communes or workers' federations.

Anti-Clericalism

Anarchists oppose religion as an oppressive construct that forms an authoritarian nexus with the state, diverting from individualism.

Opposition to the Liberal State

Anarchists reject surrendering sovereignty to higher authorities, deny the liberal state's legitimacy, and criticize claims of government by the people.

Role of Democracy

Anarchists debate the role of democracy, with some accepting elements of direct democracy while others like Bakunin view it as a tool to obscure elite oppression.

Rejection of Direct Democracy

Anarchists like Rousseau argue that direct democracy is impractical due to self-interest and only viable in small, well-informed communities.

Rejection of the Socialist State

Anarchists criticize socialist states for creating elites, fostering corruption, and undermining individual responsibility and local communities.

Rejection of Organized Religion

Anarchists, except for a few like Godwin and Tolstoy, oppose organized religion for controlling the masses and promising rewards for obedience.

Liberty

Anarchists see true freedom as individual liberty without laws or force, emphasizing private judgment and finding freedom in voluntary groups.

Anarchy is Order

Anarchists believe that order can emerge naturally from free individuals cooperating within communities, with differing views on the scale of communities.

Economic Freedom

Anarchists advocate for managing the economy without state control, with collectivist anarchists opposing capitalism's inequality and individualists criticizing its restriction of freedom.

Utopianism

Anarchists envision ideal societies without the state, with individualists, anarcho-communists, and anarcho-capitalists proposing different economic and social structures.

Criticisms

Anarchists face criticisms for not detailing how to achieve their visions, lacking historical examples, having an over-optimistic view of human nature, and facing challenges from various political ideologies.

Human Nature - Similarities

Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism vs. Anarcho-Syndicalism

• Both believe humans are naturally empathetic and sociable.

• Anti-competitive; prefer collective goals and solidarity.

Human Nature - Differences

Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism vs. Anarcho-Syndicalism

• Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism: Emphasises mutual aid and solidarity within smaller communities.

• Anarcho-Syndicalism: Stresses occupational solidarity and the creative fulfilment of labour.

Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism vs. Egoism

• Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism: Believes in true altruism and empathy.

• Egoism: Believes in self-interest and rationality, rejecting altruism.

Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism vs. Anarcho-Capitalism

• Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism: Rejects private property and capitalism.

• Anarcho-Capitalism: Supports private property rights and free trade.

State - Similarities

All believe the state should be abolished.

Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism vs. Anarcho-Syndicalism

• Favour self-governance and cooperative federations.

State - Differences

Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism vs. Anarcho-Syndicalism

• Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism: Supports voluntary communes controlling production.

• Anarcho-Syndicalism: Supports replacing the state with worker-led federations and may advocate for violent revolutions.

Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism vs. Egoism

• Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism: Believes in collective decision-making and communal living.

• Egoism: Rejects all forms of collectivism and authority, focusing on individual autonomy.

Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism vs. Anarcho-Capitalism

• Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism: Aims to abolish capitalism and replace it with communal ownership.

• Anarcho-Capitalism: Supports free-market principles and minimal state interference.

Society - Similarities

Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism vs. Anarcho-Syndicalism

• Both emphasise mutual aid and cooperative societies.

Society - Differences

Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism vs. Anarcho-Syndicalism

• Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism: Advocates for solidarity within smaller, voluntary communities.

• Anarcho-Syndicalism: Focuses on occupational solidarity and worker control.

Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism vs. Egoism

• Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism: Promotes cooperative communities.

• Egoism: Focuses on individual self-interest and voluntary unions of egoists.

Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism vs. Anarcho-Capitalism

• Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism: Rejects capitalist competition.

• Anarcho-Capitalism: Supports free-market interactions and rejects collective ownership.

Economy - Similarities

Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism vs. Anarcho-Syndicalism

• Both reject capitalism and support cooperative economic systems.

Economy - Differences

Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism vs. Anarcho-Syndicalism

• Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism: Supports communal ownership and equal distribution.

• Anarcho-Syndicalism: Supports worker-led economic organization through trade unions.

Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism vs. Egoism

• Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism: Opposes capitalism and supports communal ownership.

• Egoism: Supports free trade for individual benefit without state intervention.

Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism vs. Anarcho-Capitalism

• Anarcho-Communism and Mutualism: Seeks to abolish capitalism.

• Anarcho-Capitalism: Believes in unregulated capitalism and private property rights.

Max Stirner - Human Nature

Pessimistic: The ego drives individuals to pursue self-interest. Altruism is only possible if it serves self-interest.

Max Stirner - State

Replace gradually by unions of egoism. The state and private property must be abolished for maximum freedom.

Max Stirner - Society

Ideologies suppress freedom. Individuals should develop their egos and challenge authority. Unions of egoism form to maximise self-interest.

Max Stirner - Economy

The accumulation and protection of property is the main economic motivation. No involvement of morals or laws. Collectivist societies lead to power imbalances.

Peter Kropotkin - Human Nature

Optimistic: Humans are naturally cooperative, living in social groups and engaging in mutual aid.

Peter Kropotkin - State

Overthrow the state, fearing the development of a new one. Preferred small, natural communities over a state.

Peter Kropotkin - Society

No contradiction between a close-knit society and individual liberty. Proposed natural communities based on mutual aid and self-sufficiency.

Peter Kropotkin - Economy

Capitalism must be replaced by a communist system with small, self-sufficient economic units. Inequality causes social tension and disorder.

Mikhail Bakunin - Human Nature

Humans are born with an impulse toward moral justice. Freedom is achieved by obeying natural laws voluntarily.

Mikhail Bakunin - State

Immediate removal of the state, rejecting a workers' state as it would become tyrannical. Advocated for federalism with voluntary communities.

Mikhail Bakunin - Society

Opposed any state, believing power corrupts. The Paris Commune was an example of economic equality and direct democracy.

Mikhail Bakunin - Economy

The capitalist market promotes inequality and should be replaced by free negotiation and exchange based on true value. Private property is a threat to freedom and social order.

Pierre-Joseph Proudhon - Human Nature

Humans are characterised by their productive abilities and creativity.

Pierre-Joseph Proudhon - State

Preferred peaceful abolition of the state, favouring decentralized cooperative communities of workers.

Pierre-Joseph Proudhon - Society

Advocated for mutualism and a federal system of communes. Believed in reconciling individualist and collectivist anarchism.

Pierre-Joseph Proudhon - Economy

"Property is theft," but supported possessions for managing production. Advocated for common ownership of means of production and a People's Bank.

Emma Goldman - Human Nature

Individual liberty is fundamental, and the desire for freedom is inherent in mankind.

Emma Goldman - State

Rejected political reform, viewing the state and capitalism as oppressive. Advocated for violent revolution.

Emma Goldman - Society

Championed women's emancipation, tolerance of homosexuality, and free love. Promoted "propaganda of the deed" to inspire anarchist actions.

Emma Goldman - Economy

Advocated for the abolition of capitalism without proposing an alternative. Criticised the state and capitalism as exploitative, including religion.