ANARCHISM POSC 150 Braunwarth Anarchism n n n

ANARCHISM POSC 150 Braunwarth

Anarchism n n n From Greek: an archo (no rule/no gov’t) Abolish the State Replace coercive force of the state with voluntary cooperation among freely consenting adults

Who here is Free? n n n We generally think of ourselves as free In reality, we are highly controlled By the state, by religion, by greed We don’t recognize the degree to which we are trapped (like the Matrix) Anarchism argues we need to throw off these shackles in order to achieve our full potential

Government n n n Government is, by its own nature, immoral and evil All governments engage inimmoral, coercive actions Causes all ills in society Forces people to do things they do not want to do (pay taxes, fight wars) Could argue is a necessary evil; Anarchists would argue is not necessary, just evil

Emma Goldman (1869 -1940) n n n “Red Emma” Anarchism was “great liberator” from Religion, State and Property Early feminist (p. 255)

Philosophical Basis n n Freedom: Centrally Important Human Nature: Emphasis on the Individual who is basically good and idealistic Split: either Fiercely Independent and Individualistic (occasionally capitalistic and competitive) q q n Which of our Readings? Thoreau, Godwin, Sterner Inherently communal q q Which of our Readings? Bakunin, Kroptokin, etc.

Individual Orientation n n Oppressed by coercive force of government Either: Live according to higher individual goals or Are a part of a free community where everyone cooperates and need not be repressed by government

Thoreau n n “That government which governs best governs not at all” Incensed about Spanish-American war and slavery People unfortunately favor stability > justice (p. 4) Obligation to resist (pp. 6, 8)

Political Program n n n How should we abolish government? Another split, either: Advocate violent overthrow of the State or Advocate a peaceful path that can lead to a cooperative society Basically, replace government with a consensual and cooperative society where people can live according to higher individual or communal ideals

Leo Tolstoy n n Wrote War and Peace Devout Pacifist State exists to commit violence Must peacefully be abolished

Anarcho-Communism n n Played important role in socialist movement Marx’s main rivals Some made strong moral case pacifism and non-violence Others criticized need for a transitional proletarian government

Bakunin (1814 -1876) n n Advocated violence to overthrow the state Destruction of oppressor (state) would liberate the people (p. 251) Split with Marx Wanted no dictatorship of proletariat