To what extent are Anarchists united in their views on the Economy? (24)

Agree the state should be abolished (tool of economic exploitation)

• Anarchists agree state must be abolished as is tool of economic exploitation that prevents true freedom

• Collectivists - state sustains inequality & must be destroyed so humans can cooperate freely in a communal economy. Proudhon argued state is inseparable from unequal econ system it upholds so removal of state is most important step towards econ freedom. Similarly, Individualists –  anarcho-Capitalists – believe state must be entirely abolished as restricts econ autonomy. Goldman referred to the state as a “cold monster” that merely serves elites

• Abolition of state = essential first step toward true liberty & ending econ oppression. Differ how economy should function after - collectivists = cooperation, individualists = personal ownership

Disagree on abolition of private property & Capitalism

• While Anarchists agree on abolishing state, deeply divided over whether priv property & Capitalism should be abolished

• Collectivisits - capitalism & priv property are exploitative, upheld by state to maintain inequality. Proudhon’s claim that “property is theft” reflects view priv ownership enables wealthy to live off others’ labour

• Individualists - anarcho-capitalists - do not oppose Capitalism and instead critique state for hindering operation of free market capitalism. Rothbard argued state prevent econ freedom through regulation, redistribution & taxation which - saw as theft

• Therefore, anarchists divided over role of capitalism & priv property in achieving econ freedom

Disagree whether economic freedom is achieved collectively or individually

• Divided over whether econ freedom, once state abolished, achieved collectively or individually

• Collectivists - Bakunin & anarcho-syndicalists - true econ freedom through voluntary cooperation, common ownership & worker control. Bakunin - property should be collectively owned & managed by workers’ associations. Syndicalists - syndicates (trade unions) foundations of stateless, cooperative economy. Proudhon’s mutualism - voluntary contracts between workers to ensure fairness. Econ freedom = achieved collectively through organised econ around mutual benefit instead of competition

• Individualists Stirner & anarcho-capitalists reject collective organisation as form of constraint. Stirner’s egoism - individual ego = only moral authority & collective ideals are ‘spooks’ that restrict personal autonomy. Anarcho-capitalists believe econ freedom realised through individuals & priv firms operating in free market

• Therefore, strongly disagree on how econ freedom be realised

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