Emma Goldman Anarchism Flashcards POLI 202

Why is anarchism widely misunderstood?

Because governments, the press, and reformers deliberately portray it as violent and chaotic, preventing people from engaging with its actual philosophy (p. 47-49)

What pattern does Goldman identify in how new ideas are received?

All progressive ideas (abolition, women’s rights, labor movements) were first met with fear and hostility before later acceptance (p. 48)

What is the anarchist critique of the state?

The state is inherently coercive, relies on force, suppresses individuality, and maintains privilege for the ruling class (p. 49-52)

Why does Goldman argue government cannot create social harmony?

Because government depends on force and obedience, while harmony can only come from voluntary cooperation (p. 51)

What is Goldman’s critique of organized religion?

Religion trains obedience, moral submission, and acceptance of suffering, preparing people to accept state authority (p. 52-54)

How does Goldman define property in anarchist terms?

Not just objects, but control of resources and labor; property exists only through legal force and creates economic bondage (p. 54-56)

Why does Goldman believe democracy is another form of tyranny?

Because majority rule suppresses dissent and relies on conformity shaped by propaganda and habit (p. 56-58)

Why does she argue the ballot offers no real power?

Voting leaves fundamental economic and political structures unchanged; laws serve the ruling class (p. 58-60)

Why do anarchists reject parliamentary reform

It dilutes principles through compromise and reinforces the authority of political institutions (p. 60-62)

What is the affirmative vision of anarchism?

Full human development, voluntary cooperation, freedom from compulsion, and the flourishing of individuality (p. 62-66).

How does anarchism understand economic freedom?

Through common ownership of production, voluntary labour, and mutual aid rather than competition (pp. 66-68)

Why does anarchism reject prisons and punitive institutions?

Crime is caused by social injustice; prisons perpetuate cruelty and fail to address root causes (pp. 68-70)

Why does Goldman say anarchism is inevitable?

because social forces of industrialism, labour unrest, and human aspiration are already pushing society toward anarchist values (p. 70-74)

What central question does Goldman address in this essay?

Why individuals commit political violence and why society refuses to examine its causes (p. 75-77)

How does she characterize society’s view of political violence?

As irrational and monstrous, while ignoring far greater state violence (p. 76)

What is the primary root of political violence according to Goldman?

The institutional and economic violence embedded in state and capitalism (p. 77-82)

What forms of “legal violence” does the state commit?

War, executions, prisons, police brutality, and repression of dissent (p. 77-79)

How does capitalism contribute to political violence?

Through poverty wages, unsafe labour, and structural exploitation - slow violence that produces despair (p. 79-81)

How does Goldman describe the psychology of the rebel?

The rebel is an idealist whose empathy and outrage against injustice exceed societal tolerance (p. 82-84)

Why does she reject the idea that political offenders are insane?

Their acts arise from social conditions and moral sensitivity, not mental illness (p. 86-88)

What example does she use for state-induced retaliation? (as an example of individual political violence)

Gaetano Bresci killing King Umberto after 1898 May Bava Becarris massacre where General Fiorenzo Bava-Beccaris's troops fired on and killed hundreds of unarmed protestors (who were protesting high bread prices) (p. 88-89)

Why does she defend Berkman’s attempt on Frick ( In July 1892, anarchist Alexander Berkman attempted to assassinate Carnegie Steel manager Henry Clay Frick during the Homestead Strike. Berkman shot Frick twice and stabbed him with a file, but Frick survived the attack, returned to work within a week, and the incident shifted public sympathy, contributing to the strike's collapse)

Berkman acted in response to the homestead massacre (strikers defeated when national guard brought in to protect strike breakers), and hoped to awaken worker consciousness (p. 89-91)

What does Goldman argue about he public’s response to violence?

Media demonizes radicals while ignoring the conditions that produced their actions (p. 92-94)

What is the solution to political violence?

eliminating the social injustices that create oppression, not harsher punishment (p. 94)

What is Goldman’s main critique of woman suffrage?

The vote does not equal real freedom; it leaves economic, sexual, and social oppression untouched (p. 195-197)

Why does she say the ballot hasn’t freed men?

Men still suffer under capitalism, militarism, and state authority despite political equality (p. 197-198)

Why is economic dependence more important than the vote?

Women's low wages, domestic confinement, and lack of opportunities cannot be fixed by suffrage (p. 198-199)

What example does Goldman use to show the vote failed women?

Australia and New Zealand, where women gained the vote but economic and social inequalities persisted (p. 199-200)

How does suffrage expand the power of the state?

Women vote for increased policing, censorship, and moral regulation due to traditional training in obedience (p. 200-202)

How does suffrage relate to militarism?

Women often support patriotic war policies to “protect the nation” (p. 202-203).

What is the link between suffrage and puritanism?

Suffrage often strengthens moral policing of sexuality, art, alcohol, and public behaviour (p. 203-204)

That is the true root of women’s oppression?

Economic dependency on men and capitalist structure — not lack of voting rights (p. 204-206)

Why does marriage undermine women’s freedom?

It enforces economic dependency and restricts sexual autonomy (p. 206-208)

What psychological conditioning harms women?

Socialization into modesty, obedience, and self-sacrifice, incompatible with liberation (p. 208-210).

What does real emancipation require?

Economic autonomy, sexual freedom, and independence from state and church authority (p. 210-213)

What core argument begins the marriage and love essay?

Marriage and love are completely different institutions; society falsely equates them (p. 227-229)

How does Goldman define marriage?

As a legal and economic contract based on dependency and property relations, not affection (p. 228-232)

Why do many women marry?

Economic survival, social pressure, and lack of alternatives — not love (p. 229-231)

How does marriage commodify women?

By institutionalizing their unpaid labor and sexual obligations to men (p. 231-232).

What sexual injustices exist in marriage?

Double standards, coercive sexual access, and marital rape under legal protection (p. 232-234)

How does marriage shape motherhood?

Motherhood becomes compulsory and rooted in dependency; women lose real choice (p. 234-235)

What defines love in Goldman’s view?

A spontaneous, free emotional and sexual connection between equals (p. 235-236)

Why is love incompatible with marriage?

Because legal obligation and economic dependence suffocate affection and freedom (p. 236-237).

How does love encourage equality?

Love fosters mutual respect, emotional reciprocity, and shared pleasure (p. 237-239).

How is free love socially transformative?

Free love challenges patriarchal authority, capitalist dependency, and moral repression (p. 239-240)

What final claim does Goldman make?

Only free individuals can experience love; marriage must be abolished for love to thrive (p. 241)