Anarchism in the 21st century

[nino_savatte]

Bryan Caplan, Anarchist Theory FAQ version 5.2 (link)

"Anarchism is defined by The American Heritage College Dictionary as "The theory or doctrine that all forms of government are unnecessary, oppressive, and undesirable and should be abolished." Anarchism is a negative; it holds that one thing, namely government, is bad and should be abolished. Aside from this defining tenet, it would be difficult to list any belief that all anarchists hold. Just as atheists might support or oppose any viewpoint consistent with the non-existence of God, anarchists might and indeed do hold the entire range of viewpoints consistent with the non-existence of the state.

As might be expected, different groups of anarchists are constantly trying to define anarchists with different views out of existence, just as many Christians say that their sect is the only "true" Christianity and many socialists say that their socialism is the only "true" socialism."

From anarchism.net - 'Anarchism, Capitalism, and Anarcho-Capitalism' (link)

"As a matter of fact, anarcho-capitalists share this view with other anarchists. Murray N. Rothbard, one of the great philosophers of anarcho-capitalism, used a lot of time and effort to define legitimate property and the generation of value, based upon a notion of “natural rights.” [3] The starting point of Rothbard’s argumentation is every man’s sovereign and full right to himself and his labor. This is the position of property creation shared by both socialists and classical liberals, and is also the shared position of anarchists of different colors. Even the statist capitalist libertarian Robert Nozick claimed contemporary property was unjustly accrued and that a free society, to him a “minimalist state,” needs to make up with this injustice. [4]

Thus it seems anarcho-capitalists agree with Proudhon in that “property is theft,” where it is acquired in an illegitimate manner. But they also agree with Proudhon in that “property is liberty” [5] in the sense that without property, i.e. being robbed of the fruits of one’s actions, one is a slave. Anarcho-capitalists thus advocate the freedom of a stateless society, where each individual has the sovereign right to his body and labor and through this right can pursue his or her own definition of happiness.

As we can see, the exploitative, force- and rule-based system of capitalism is not championed by any anarchists, not even the anarcho-capitalists. The critique directed from the leftist camps of anarchism towards anarcho-capitalism is therefore misplaced, inaccurate and rather ignorant. To refute the ideas and values of a philosophical movement one will have to use their definitions, or the critique will be virtually worthless." [my emphasis]

Unbridled, unregulated commodity capitalism flies in the face of true anarchism. The joining of the word "anarcho" to "capitalism" is a misnomer and very misleading.

 

[Darios]

Here's a good example of what anarcho-capitalists look like
http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayn_Rand

A common mistake. Rand was in fact a Libertarian. She was quite hostile towards anarcho-capitalism.

(edited for correct tense)

 

[Darios]

Unbridled, unregulated commodity capitalism flies in the face of true anarchism. The joining of the word "anarcho" to "capitalism" is a misnomer and very misleading.

Did you even read what I posted? At the very least read the original anarchism.net article.

 

[Darios]

How odd, a free market capitalist claiming ownership over defintions.

Is that directed at me or one of the writers of the above pieces?

I find it odd how anarcho-capitalists claim to be against coercion and hierarchy...except for economic coercion. You're not anarchists, deal with it.

Source please.

 

[Brainaddict]

Social ecology may or may not be anarchism, depending on who you listen to, but it is left libertarian and I find it has more positive content than a lot of current anarchist thought and activity. There's a London group for people interested:
http://socialecologylondon.wordpress.com/

 

[nino_savatte]

Did you even read what I posted? At the very least read the original anarchism.net article.

I did and I don't understand how you made such a magical leap of logic.

Anarchism and capitalism are incompatible.

 

[nino_savatte]

A common mistake. Rand was in fact a Libertarian. She was quite hostile towards anarcho-capitalism.

(edited for correct tense)

She is, nonetheless, described as an "anarcho-capitalist" as is her movement/cult. Indeed, anarchists are often referred to as "libertarians" in the States

 

[Blagsta]

Is that directed at me or one of the writers of the above pieces?

You do know that Bryan Caplan is a free market capitalist don't you?

Source please.

For what? That private property leads to coercion?

 

[peacepete]

In a debate over definitions I always find it wise to turn to Wittgenstein (I have no idea what his politics was like, but with most philosophers i dread to think)

Within the language game participated in by most active, self-identifying anarchists, anarchism is an ideology that rejects all coersion, including economic coersion. This language game has proved meaningful as self-identifying anarchists have seen their ideas expressed through real life action. Meaning is use!

There is no truth as to the correct use of words outside the context of a particular language game, yet there is a well defined language game that does use the term anarchist in the above way and it has proved coherent and meaningful.

To draw people into a different language game that includes a meaningful term 'anarcho-capitalist' would require a functional use for the term. This definition cannot exist parasitic on the existing use of the term anarchism in a different language game, but must have its own independent meaning.

I think anarcho-capitalism gains most of its meaning from association with existing uses of the terms 'anarchism' and 'capitalism'. This parasitic definition is a dead end.

here endeth the lesson

 

[Blagsta]

That's just a wanky way of saying that words have meanings due to history.

 

[peacepete]

That's just a wanky way of saying that words have meanings due to history.

pretty much.

But it's good to demonstrate that if the anarcho-capitalists want to get a bit wanky to cover their tracks, we can out wank them if needed.

 

[Dimitris]

But there is hierarchy in capitalism how this can be an anarchist system? What is the role of a CEO in an anarchist-capitalist system then?

 

[bluestreak]

But there is hierarchy in capitalism how this can be an anarchist system? What is the role of a CEO in an anarchist-capitalist system then?

Go-getting individualist?

I think anarcho-capitalists see anyone below owner level as furniture rather than human.

 

[Dimitris]

Individualism is one thing, social anarchy is a completely different thing, they should not be talking about anarchism if they are individualists ...

Bluestreak what I don't get is how can working class people be "anarcho-capitalists", if they are being seeing as furniture....

 

[8ball]

Individualism is one thing, social anarchy is a completely different thing, they should not be talking about anarchism if they are individualists ...

I'm not arguing that anarcho-capitalism is anything more than a crass and transparent attempt to muddy up the political waters, but there are other schools of anarchism that are individualistic in a sense but are nothing to do with anarcho-capitalism.

 

[Shevek]

It seems to me that anarchism in the UK is a very small, factional phenomenon. We need to find a way to grow the anarchist movement. I know anarchism doesn't promote hierarchy but we need some charismatic leaders/figures to push it forward. David Graeber aint enough.

Shevek

 

[JHE]

I know anarchism doesn't promote hierarchy but we need some charismatic leaders/figures to push it forward.

Shrek's leader:

 

[Shevek]

Shrek's leader:

No.

I'm not a Lib Dem (tears hair out)

I am an anarcho.

We need to make anarchism more attractive. It is an amazing set of ideas.

 

[butchersapron]

They don't seem that attractive to you.

 

[Shevek]

They don't seem that attractive to you.

I admit as dotcom said I am a grand vacillator when it comes to politics but I think I am finally coming down on the side of anarchism. My partner pressurises me to be involved in the lib dems.

 

[JHE]

No.

I'm not a Lib Dem (tears hair out)

I am an anarcho.

...this week!

 

[Shevek]

I admit I do vacilate a bit. I can't really explain my flirtation with the Lib Demmers. It was more because my partner is a big member and seems to assume I agree with him.

 

[JHE]

...my partner is a big member...

Oooooooo.... missus!

 

[Shevek]

lolol... seriously it is quite hard maintaining your political beliefs when your partner constantly assumes they are something else.

 

[Rod Sleeves]

lolol... seriously it is quite hard maintaining your political beliefs when your partner constantly assumes they are something else.

Why don't you just tell him the truth?

 

[samk]

With declining family sizes, there will be more only children. Think of the effect of demographic personality shifts

 

[The Black Hand]

Nah - just reading the bookfair thread.

Apparently, debates should be settled by physical violence, and the New World outside the state consists of dumpster diving.

Which bookfair thread would that be please?