ideologies anarchism

7/31/2019 Ideologies Anarchism

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AnarchismRejecting hierarchy and authority


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AnarchismBecause human beings areessentially good, human society is

naturally cooperative. Governmentsand other artificial and coerciveinstitutions corrupt the humanpersonality.

Emphasis on individual freedom andchoice. An optimistic view of humanpotential.


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Anarchism key

ideaOpposed to any structure that ishierarchical, coercive or authoritarian.

Most governmentsOrganized religion

The military

Courts & prisons

Both capitalism and Soviet-style

communism


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Anarchism &

governmentNot all government functions

rejected.

Government can exist in order toprotect people from invasion by

others and to coordinate theproductive work of the society (2

functions of govt).

Government should be small anddecentralized, not an all-powerful

and controlling state.


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Anarchism &

authorityAuthority per se is not rejected.Only irrational authority basednot on reasoned argument andpersuasion, but on having aposition of power over others. In

contrast, rational authority isderived from rational argumentand is open to constant criticismand review.


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Anarchism & critical

thoughtThe thinking process is critical.Anarchists criticize blind

acceptance of the status quo asmental indolence. Instead, weshould examine ideas, includingtheir origin. In the words of EmmaGoldman:

Anarchism urges man to think, toinvestigate, to analyze everyro osition.


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History of anarchism

Elements of anarchist thought in writingsof the ancient Greeks and Chinese. Someevidence in utopian religious movements ofthe Middle Ages.

Anarchism as a coherent politicalphilosophy first originated at the outbreak

of the French Revolution in 1789.Late 19th century, anarchist movementemerged. From 1860s onward, periodiceruptions of anarchist activities throughout

Europe, particularly in southern Europe,


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History of anarchism

Anarchists also active in labormovements in Europe, although most

fellow members were not anarchists.

Involved in many uprisings andrevolutions, including the Russian

Revolution of 1917, although theBolshevik party (a small radicalcommunist party) soon took over in

Russia.


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Anarchist thinkers

William Godwin (British) late 18th c.

Pierre-Joseph Proudhon (French) 19thc.

Peter Kropotkin (Russian) late 19th c.Mikhail Bakunin (Russian) late 19th c.

Emma Goldman (Lithuanian-American)


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Emma Goldman

Born in Russia in 1869 came to the U.S. when she

was 17. Very idealistic about America.Disillusioned: found that America was not muchdifferent than the oppressive Russiangovernment, in terms of peoples daily lives.

Workers exploited - long hours, low pay, brutalworking conditions, no real legal rights.

This led her to rethink liberal democracy and toembrace anarchism.


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Emma GoldmanWrote, traveled and

lectured extensively

on anarchism.Also advocated

womens rights andopposed the draft and

World War I.


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Backlash against anarchism inUnited States

Associated with labor unrest

Associated with radicalism in RussiaAssociated with assassination ofPresident McKinley in 1901

Associated with protests against thewar in 1917

Associated with violence, including

bombing of AGs house in 1919


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Goldman in trouble withauthorities

in 1893 urging the unemployed to askfor work. If they do not give you work, ask forbread. If they do not give you bread, takebread.

on Sept. 10, 1901, on a charge ofconspiracy to assassinate President McKinley.No evidence, so she was released in two weeks.

in 1916 for distributing literatureadvocating birth control (considered obscenity).

in 1917 and imprisoned 2 years fororganizing anti-war rallies (obstructing thedraft).

in 1919, at the height of the RedScare.


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Anarchism, What it ReallyStands for (1911)

How does Emma Goldman answerthis question?


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Anarchism, What it ReallyStands for (1911)

How does Emma Goldman answer thisquestion?

ANARCHISM:--The philosophy of a new

social order based on libertyunrestricted by man-made law; thetheory that all forms of government reston violence, and are therefore wrong and

harmful, as well as unnecessary.


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Goldmans ideas aboutanarchism

Two misconceptions:

1. That anarchism is impractical, just abeautiful utopian idea. People are tooselfish.

2. That it is violent, destructive and

dangerous - a black monster bent onswallowing everything.


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Two misconceptions aboutanarchism

1. That it is impractical, merely a beautifulidea.

Goldman says it is the current systemthat is wrong, foolish, and impractical.In contrast, anarchism promotes a vitalnew society that will eliminate wrong

and foolish practices.


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She responds that humans are not bynature selfish & wicked, but aredistorted by a corrupt society that

deprives people of liberty.

She sees crime, disorder and laziness as

arising out of the current corruptsystem. People will work hard and behonest if their work is meaningful andjoyful.


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2. That it is violent, destructive anddangerous - a black monster benton swallowing everything.


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2. That it is violent, destructive anddangerous.

Anarchists claim that they are

constructive, not destructive,because they want to build asociety free of the chaotic anddisfiguring features of current

society.


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Anarchism &

violenceViolence is often associated with

anarchism. Some anarchists docondone violence, but many rejectit outright. Others accept it only

if it is needed as a defensivemeasure against the violence ofthe state.


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Rejecting representativedemocracy

Goldman is extremely critical ofpolitics. Even if people with integrity

went into public life, they would haveno influence.

She concludes, The political arena

leaves one no alternative, one musteither be a dunce or a rogue.

She says voting is only a game, that

nothing comes out of it.


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Oppressive

institutionsThe state is one of the threeprimary oppressive institutionsthat she identifies. What arethe other two, and why does she

consider them oppressive?


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Oppressive

institutionsAnother one: Religion. Because of

the view that man is a mere speckof dust who owes completesurrender to a superior power onhigh.

She criticizes this idea of aspiritual hierarchy.


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Oppressive

institutionsAnother oppressive institution:Private property. To her, this is themost oppressive. For the averageperson, private property hasrobbed him of his birthright, and

has turned him loose a pauper andan outcast.


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Goldmans view of

the U.S.America is particularly boastful ofher great power, her enormous

wealth. Poor America, of what availis all her wealth, if the individualscomprising the nation are

wretchedly poor?


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Goldmans view of

the U.S. Consider these figures from one ofthe federal reserve banks (2001):

Top 1% of U.S. households have nearly30% of the countrys wealth.

Top 5% holds 55% of the wealth.

Top 20% holds 80% of the wealth.

G ld


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Goldmans view of

MarxismCritical of Marxism.

Shared the view that capitalismis oppressive & exploitive, but:

Economic relations dont define

everything.Both individual and communityimportant; community needsdont trump individual rights.


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Goldmans solution

What can people do about their

lack of liberty, about their

oppression?


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Goldmans solution

Direct action: Open defiance ofand resistance to all laws andrestrictions, economic, social andmoral.


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Goldmans solution

Successes of direct action:

1. Universal suffrage brought by

American revolutionaries (for whitemen)

2. End of slavery for blackAmericans

3. Rise of trade unions.


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Goldman in 1917

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