Classical Anarchism is the school of philosophy that served as the basis of modern anarchism, originating in the works of figures such as Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, Mikhail Bakunin, Piotr Kropotkin or Errico Malatesta. Among the philosophies of Classical Anarchism we have 
Anarcho-Collectivism, 
Anarcho-Communism or 
Mutualism.
Beliefs[edit | edit source]
Anti-Authoritarianism[edit | edit source]
Anarchism stands at the forefront of opposition to all forms of authority, championing the idea that no entity or individual should hold power over others unjustly. This rejection extends not only to the state, with its coercive laws and hierarchical structures, but also to any system or institution that seeks to impose its will upon people without their consent. Anarchists argue that hierarchical power dynamics breed oppression and exploitation, stifling individual autonomy and creativity.
Moreover, anarchists critique not only overt forms of authority but also subtler manifestations of power, such as patriarchy, racism, and other forms of systemic oppression. They advocate for a society where relationships are based on voluntary association and mutual respect rather than domination and subjugation. In essence, anti-authoritarianism is the cornerstone of anarchism, reflecting a deep-seated commitment to freedom and equality for all.
Individual Freedom[edit | edit source]
Central to anarchism is the principle of individual freedom, which emphasizes the inherent worth and dignity of each person. Anarchists believe that individuals should have the right to determine their own lives and pursue their own goals without undue interference from external forces. This entails not only freedom from coercion and oppression but also the positive freedom to develop one's talents, pursue meaningful relationships, and participate fully in society.
Anarchism rejects the notion that freedom can only be achieved through the imposition of authority or the sacrifice of individual autonomy for the collective good. Instead, it seeks to create a society where individuals are empowered to govern themselves collectively and make decisions that affect their lives directly. This vision of freedom encompasses not only political and economic autonomy but also social and cultural liberation, challenging existing power structures and promoting solidarity and cooperation among all people.
Collective Ownership[edit | edit source]
Many anarchists advocate for the collective ownership of the means of production as a means of creating a more equitable and just society. This entails the abolition of private property and the establishment of communal ownership, where resources and wealth are shared among all members of society. By eliminating the capitalist system of ownership and control, anarchists seek to address the root causes of inequality and exploitation.
Collective ownership also aligns with anarchist principles of mutual aid and solidarity, as it promotes cooperation and collaboration rather than competition and conflict. It enables individuals to work together for the common good, pooling their resources and talents to meet the needs of all members of society. Moreover, collective ownership fosters a sense of community and belonging, as people come together to make decisions democratically and shape their shared future.
Direct Action[edit | edit source]
Anarchists often advocate for direct action as a means of achieving social change, rejecting traditional political processes and authority structures in favor of grassroots organizing and resistance. Direct action encompasses a wide range of tactics, including strikes, protests, occupations, and sabotage, aimed at challenging injustice and building alternative systems of power from below.
Direct action is rooted in the belief that ordinary people have the power to create meaningful change through collective action and solidarity. It empowers individuals to take control of their own destinies and confront oppression directly, rather than relying on politicians or leaders to act on their behalf. By engaging in direct action, anarchists seek to disrupt the status quo, raise awareness, and inspire others to join the struggle for freedom and justice.
Mutual Aid[edit | edit source]
Anarchists uphold the principle of mutual aid as a fundamental aspect of human nature and social organization. Mutual aid entails individuals voluntarily supporting and assisting each other without the need for coercive institutions or hierarchies. It encompasses acts of solidarity, cooperation, and reciprocity, as people come together to meet their collective needs and overcome adversity.
Mutual aid challenges the prevailing narrative of competition and individualism, highlighting the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of community and cooperation. It fosters a sense of empathy and compassion, as people recognize their shared humanity and strive to alleviate each other's suffering. Moreover, mutual aid builds resilience and self-reliance within communities, empowering individuals to address their own challenges collectively rather than relying on outside authorities.
Decentralization[edit | edit source]
Anarchism advocates for decentralized forms of organization and decision-making, favoring voluntary associations, cooperatives, and federations over centralized state authority. Decentralization promotes autonomy and self-governance at the local level, allowing communities to determine their own priorities and shape their own destinies.
By decentralizing power and authority, anarchism seeks to prevent the concentration of wealth and privilege in the hands of a few, as well as the abuse of power by those in positions of authority. It enables individuals and communities to participate directly in the decisions that affect their lives, fostering a sense of ownership and investment in the collective good. Decentralization also encourages experimentation and innovation, as different communities develop their own solutions to common problems based on their unique needs and values.
Variants[edit | edit source]
Bakuninism[edit | edit source]
I am truly free only when all human beings, men and women, are equally free.
Mikhail Bakunin
Bakuninism is political and social philosophy associated with Mikhail Bakunin, a prominent Russian anarchist and revolutionary socialist in the 19th century. Mikhail Bakunin was a key figure in the socialist and anarchist movements of the 19th century. Born in Russia, he became involved in revolutionary activities, including the European uprisings of 1848. Bakunin's ideas developed in response to the social and political upheavals of his time, including the Industrial Revolution, widespread poverty, and the rise of capitalist systems.
Anti-Authoritarianism[edit | edit source]
At the core of Bakuninism is a profound opposition to all forms of authority, especially centralized government. Bakunin argued for the abolition of the state, which he viewed as inherently oppressive and likely to be controlled by a ruling elite.
Collectivism and Social Equality[edit | edit source]
Bakunin advocated for a collectivist approach to organizing society, emphasizing the communal ownership of the means of production. He sought to establish a system based on social equality, where wealth and resources would be shared collectively rather than privately owned.
Anti-Capitalism[edit | edit source]
Bakuninism is inherently anti-capitalist. Bakunin criticized both state socialism and capitalism, viewing them as oppressive systems that perpetuate inequality. He opposed the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few capitalists or a bureaucratic state.
Federalism[edit | edit source]
Bakunin proposed a decentralized and federalist political structure. He envisioned a network of self-governing communities or communes that would voluntarily cooperate on a larger scale, without the need for a centralized state apparatus.
Revolutionary Action[edit | edit source]
Bakunin believed in the necessity of revolutionary action to overthrow existing oppressive structures. He argued for direct action by the masses and rejected gradual or parliamentary methods, viewing them as ineffective in achieving true liberation.
Internationalism[edit | edit source]
Bakunin was an advocate of international solidarity among the working class. He envisioned a global revolutionary movement that would transcend national boundaries, uniting workers and oppressed people against oppressive governments and capitalism.
Opposition to Marxism[edit | edit source]
Bakunin had a notable ideological conflict with Karl Marx. While both were socialists, Bakunin criticized Marx's authoritarian tendencies and the idea of a "dictatorship of the proletariat." This conflict led to a split between the anarchists and Marxists within the First International (International Workingmen's Association).
Kropotkinism[edit | edit source]
The means of production being the collective work of humanity, the product should be the collective property of the race. Piotr Kropotkin
Kropotkinism is a philosophy that since the means of production is the collective work of humanity, the product and the means of production should be the collective property of the humanity. Kropotkin also advocated that proletariats should help those in need via 'Mutual aid', and he criticized the wage-labor. Kropotkin opposed the state as he saw it as a tool for the ruling classes to rule over proletariats. Kropotkin later in his life, opposed Lenin as he denied his authoritarian leadership.
Mutual Aid[edit | edit source]
Kropotkin in his book Mutual Aid: A Factor in Evolution (published in 1902) argues that mutual aid based on cooperation between individuals is the central basis of human evolution. This then serves as a critique of the increasingly popular 
Social Darwinism. Kropotkin bases his analysis on scientific expeditions he took in his youth in the 1860s in Siberia, where he came to the conclusion that cooperation and mutual support was what marked evolution in the species.
It must be emphasized that Kropotkin's concept of Mutual Aid is based on a scientific perspective and criticized the romantic altruistic ideals of philosophers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau who saw cooperation motivated by universal love. Also, he did not deny the role of competition and its influence on human beings or oppose it, but he criticized the disdain for cooperation and did not consider competition as the fundamental axis of evolution.
Individualism[edit | edit source]
Although in his life he had debates with the anarcho-individualists of his time, Kropotkin was a staunch defender of individual freedom. He considered that a communist society should be based on voluntarism and not obligation. In 1886, in his work The Place of Anarchism in Socialistic Evolution he was against individuals who fought for the "collective" or the "majority." He considered the control of the collective over the individual tyrannical and against the principles of anarchism.
Goldmanism[edit | edit source]
Goldmanism is the philosophy of the famous Lithuanian anarchist of Jewish origin Emma Goldman. It is a synthesis between 
Kropotkin socialist ideas along with the individualist philosophies of the German philosophers 
Friedrich Nietzsche and 
Max Stirner. At the same time, Goldman is considered one of the greatest exponents of 
Anarcho-Feminism.
Landauerism[edit | edit source]
Landauerism is an anarchist philosophy of Gustav Landauer. It is mainly influenced by the writings of Bakunin, Kropotkin, Stirner, Nietzsche and Tolstoy, who advocated a socialist anarchism that was simultaneously pacifist and strongly individualistic.
Bookchinism[edit | edit source]
Relationships[edit | edit source]
Gallery[edit | edit source]
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Bakuninism
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Kropotkinism
Further Information[edit | edit source]
Wikipedia[edit | edit source]
Theoreticians[edit | edit source]
Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Kropotkin’s egoism is based on an altruistic biology of evolution. That mutual aid in nature shows that species, like humanity, out of a sense of self-preservation and survival seek mutual bonds of solidarity, and survival of the group = survival of the individual. He addresses this in both his pamphlet “Anarchist Morality” and his unfinished masterpiece “Ethics.”
 Proto-Anarchism | |
|---|---|
 Classical | |
| Post-Classical | |
 Contemporary | |
| Variants |  Agorism •  Bakuninism •  Bao Jingyan Thought •  Bonnanoism •  Bookchinism •  Dark Deleuzianism •  Ecological Anarchism (Contemporary Variant:  Green Anarchy) • Feminist Anarchism ( Goldmanism) •  Godwinianism •  Insurrectionary Anarchism •  Insurrectionary Egoism •  Kaczynskism • Kropotkinism •  Lacanian Anarchism •  Landauerism •  Left-Rothbardianism •  Malatestism •  Nihilist Anarchism •  Pacifist Anarchism •  Post-Anarchism •  Post-Civilization •  Post-Situationism •  Rothbardianism •  Spoonerism •  Tuckerism •  Warrenism • Without Adjectives •  Zerzanism |
