To What Extent Are Anarchists United In Their Views On The Economy? (24)

AGREE State is economically exploitative

Individualist

Stirner – opposes the current system: State imposes rules that prevent individuals from being their true self. people are rational and without the exploitative state they would cooperate fairly because it benefits them to avoid conflict

Collectivist

Proudhon – people are forced into a exploitative capitalist system just to survive – proposed mutualism where all means of production are exchanged via a voucher system.

State creates inequality

DISAGREE Property and ownership

Individualists - defend private property

Stirner - individuals should act to satisfy their needs including keeping the product of their own labour

Collectivist

Kropotkin: applies to all, believed in collective ownership of property governed by natural laws - kibbutz Israel.

Proudhon - "property is theft" - private property used to exploit individuals was illegitimate, e.g a landlord as they can make money without labour, but personal property is still important

Disagreements within collectivist thinkers.

DISAGREE How the economy is organised

Individualist

Stirner -economy should be formed on voluntary agreements that are non-binding, only cooperate to the extent that it satisfies their individual needs

Collectivist - economy organised through communes based on cooperation and mutual aid

Kropotkin - wealth results from a collective effort. "All belongs to all". - goods should be shared rather than individually owned. Cooperation is voluntary but seen as the societal norm

DISAGREE Currency

Individualist

Stirner - currency should stay the same

Collectivist

Kropotkin - no currency as he believed that society should provide for all of its citizen's needs.