Rejection of the state Flashcards
State the aspects of the state
Government
Authority
Power
Aspects of the state: Government
System of rule, from monarchism to dictatorship to liberal democracy, based on deceit and violence
Aspects of the state: Authority
The right of one person or institution to influence the behaviour of others
Aspects of the state: Power
The instruments (the law, the police, the use of ideology) by which the state and other social institutions secure their authority
What are the reasons why anarchists believe in removing the state?
It is immoral
It is unjust
Rejection of the state: The state is immoral
State exerts complete authority over and restricts liberty of all individuals and groups within its boundaries
The state is therefore oppressive and denies that people are rational soverign individuals
“Democratic” gov is a fraud since elections are a smokecreen that conceal the state’s massive power resting on the police, the army and the financial institutions
Rejection of the state: The state is unjust
State plays an economically exploitative role and is unjust in its defence of economic inequality
State supports the capitalist system by protecting private property, defending the privileged position of the wealthy and oppression the workers (anarcho-collectivism)
Globally, states protect the elites of the industrially-developed countries through pro-capitalist institutions such as the G20 and the IMF
state robs people of their property by imposing taxes that are enforced by law and carry punishments for late or non-payment (anarcho-individualists)
Rejection of the state: The state’s negative impact on human nature
All hierarchical forms of authority command, control and corrupt human nature
The state can coerce a person by commanding them to act against their will (e.g. fight in a war)
State control crushes a person’s initiative and creativity and smothers individual self-realisation
Those in positions of authority within the state apparatus are corrupted by their wealth, power and status
State anarchist ways of removing the state
Withdrawing from sosciety Creating a moral society Peaceful abolition of the state Direct action Insurrection
Who supported direct action?
Mikhail Bakunin and Emma Goldman
Who supported peaceful abolition of the state?
Pierre-Joseph Proudhon
Who supported insurrection?
Max Stirner
Who supported creating a moral society?
William Godwin
Who supported withdrawing from society?
Henry Thoreau
What is direct action?
E.g. non-payment of taxes, non-compliance with conscription orders and mass strike to bring about a revolution
