Core values - rejection of the state/authority

State, society, human nature, the economy

Faure’s description of anarchism

• Negotiation of the principle of authority

Thoughts on organised things

• NO!

  • Perchance if voluntary and/or participants are able to leave…

• As for authority, if it is freely agreed upon and open to challenge, but not hierarchical

Authority - definition

• The right of one person or institution to influence the behaviour of others

  • Three C’s:

1. Commanding

2. Controlling

3. Corrupting

Power - definition

• Means by which the state and other social insitutions secure their authority

Government - definition

• System of rule based on deceit and violence (be that a monarchy, dictatorship or liberal democracy)

Authority and its impact on the oppressed and oppressors

• Based on the alleged right of one person to influence the behaviour of others

  • Leads to oppression and limitation of human life

• Damages oppressors and oppressed

  • Oppressors: acquire an appetite for control and domination

    • “Many are ruthless and live in fear” - Goodman

  • Oppressed: have their ‘essential nature’ suppressed and become dependent on those above

Authority and the state - Proudhon

• “To be governed is to be indoctrinated […] by creatures that have neither the right, nor the wisdom, nor the virtue”

View of the state

• Embodiment of hierarchy and domination

The state - Goldman

• “Cold master”

  • Relies on the threat of violence to control people

• Symbolised by “the club ♣, the gun 🔫, the handcuff ⛓ or the prison👮”

Authority and the state - Bakunin

• “When the people are being beaten with a stick, they are not much happpier if it’s called “the people’s stick””

Stateless society

• :))))

  • Allows free individuals to manage their affairs by voluntary agreement without force

Proudhon - 4 critera fulfilled by the state (5. by Bourne)

SCCE(D)

Sally Can’t Cope Ever (Duh)

1. Sovereign

2. Compulsory (authority)

3. Coercive

4. Exploitative

5. Destructive

Proudhon - state is absolutely sovereign

• State can exercise supreme authority over all individuals within a defined area

• Law restricts everything

  • Private lives

  • Behaviour

  • Politics 

  • Economy

Proudhon - authority is compulsory

• State is not formed from a social contract or voluntary agreement

  • You are subject to it because you’re born into it

Proudhon - state is coercive

• Laws must be obeyed as they’re supported by the threat of punishment

• These laws can deprive people of their property, liberty and lives (Goldman) yet we cannot ignore them

Proudhon - state is exploitative

• State robs individuals of property through taxation

  • Acts in alliance with the rich to oppress the poor and weak

    • Again backed up by law

Bourne - state is destructive

• Individuals are required to fight/kill/die for territory and national glory

  • “War is the health of the state”

Views on religion

• Problematic as works hand-in-hand with political authority 

  • God now seen as the ultimate source of authority

    • Spreads obedience and submission

Religion - Proudhon and Bakunin

• Only w/out religion can humans be truly free

• Bakunin

  • “The abolition of the Church and the State must be the first and indispensable condition of the true liberation of society”

Religion - Stirner

• Imposes moral principles and a code of acceptable behaviour

  • Good’ and ‘evil’ are defined and controlled by religious authorities :/

    • People should be able to act in their own interests

Difference between liberal’s small state and anarchist rejection of the state

• Liberalism: small state needed to protect some rights

• Anarchism: no freedom can exist with imposed authority, any govt is coercive

Summary

• States always rely on coercion, hierarchy and monopoly of violence to maintain power

• All states, no matter their type, impose authority from above

  • This undermines true freedom and equality