Joseph-Pierre Proudhon Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is Absolutism?
The holding of absolute principles in political, philosophical, or theological matters.
Absolutism refers to the idea that certain principles are universally valid and unchangeable, often in governance or belief systems.
What does Mutualism advocate?
The doctrine that mutual dependence is necessary to social well-being.
Mutualism emphasizes cooperative relationships and the importance of social interactions for societal health.
What significant work did Proudhon write?
What is Property?
This work explores the nature of property and its implications for society.
What was Proudhon’s view on Movement?
Everything in nature and social life exists in a state of constant change.
Movement is a fundamental law of existence for Proudhon.
How did Proudhon define Progress?
The negation of every permanent order.
Progress stands in opposition to absolutism and implies continuous change.
What is the basis of society according to Proudhon?
Labour was the basis of interaction.
Proudhon believed society emerged from human interactions based on labor.
What did Proudhon say about Anarchy?
Anarchy was thus the natural order of society.
He viewed an absence of imposed authority as the ideal social condition.
What were Proudhon’s recommendations for economic reform?
- Creation of a ‘people’s bank’
- Abolition of rent and interest
- Abandonment of credit
- Introduction of reciprocal exchange
- Liquidation of debts and mortgages
These reforms aimed to promote economic equality and solidarity.
How did Proudhon differentiate between property and possessions?
Possessions refer to property that has direct use-value to the possessor.
This distinction is crucial in understanding his views on ownership and exploitation.
What is a mutual savings bank?
A financial institution owned by its members, lending savings from a common fund at minimal interest rates.
This model supports Proudhon’s mutualist principles.
What is the only legitimate source of property according to Proudhon?
Labour.
He believed that property should derive from one’s work and effort.
What did Proudhon believe about the state and property?
Property is the only power that can act as a counterweight to the State.
He recognized the complexities of property in relation to state power.
What is Proudhon’s stance on individualism vs collectivism?
He bridges the gap between collectivist and individualist anarchism.
Proudhon believed that the abolition of private property would align individual and collective interests.
What prejudices tarnished Proudhon’s legacy?
- Antisemitism
- Antifeminism
His views on these subjects are widely criticized and overshadow his contributions to political theory.
Fill in the blank: Proudhon described the liberty he pursued as ‘the synthesis of ______ and property.’
communism.
This phrase reflects his vision of balancing collective ownership with individual rights.
True or False: Proudhon believed that social relationships were distorted under absolutist principles.
True.
He argued that absolutism constrained natural social interactions.
