Core value - economic freedom

State, society, economy, human nature

Role of the state in the economy

• Currently entrenches a corrupt economic system that embeds disadvantage and privilege

Stateless economy

• :)))))

• Something humans themselves choose and construct, no clear agreement on one economic model

• Free of compulsions to agree with a state that doesn’t work for everyone

  • Basically means different anarchism strands support different economic systems

19th Century anarchists - who they represent, their solution and their ideological standpoint

• Represent

  • Poor and oppressed

• Solution

  • Revolution to get rid of the state and of capitalism

• Ideological standpoint

  • Similar to socialism but view the Bourgeoisie as anyone with wealth, power of privilege

19th Century anarchists - Kropotkin

• Viewed capitalism as an obstacle, but the issue is that the state allows capitalism to proliferate

19th Century anarchists - Bakunin - 3 main groups in 19th century society

• Viewed political power and wealth as inseparable 

• Saw society as made up of

1. Exploited (majority)

2. Exploiters and exploited (minority)

3. “Exploiters and oppressors, pure and simple” (minority)

Proudhon - property

• “Property is theft”

  • But only property that is owned and accumulated by some to exploit others

  • Priv property allows people to have it and earn an income through it without putting in effort

• State aligns with owners of private property, entrenching their advantage

Collectivist anarchists - economy, incl welfare

• Advocate for an economy based on

1. Cooperation

2. Collective ownership

• Welfare :((

  • Props up class exploitation, creating “capitalism with a human face”

  • Entrenches private property, causing inequality

Anarcho-capitalists - economy

• :)) free market, private property

• :(( state intervention as distorts the competitive market

Egoists - economy

• Capitalism exploits individuals

• Work should be fulfilling

  • Workers should enjoy fruits of own labour

Tensions between branches re. economy

• Some acknowledge a connection to socialism due to distaste for priv. property and inequality

• Others defend property rights and capitalism

Summary

• For most, private property lets a minority control resources and labour, limiting autonomy and causing inequality, exploitation and class hierarchy

  • This is why capitalism is incompatible with anarchism (reliance on priv property)