Sociology of the Anarchists - Gozips.uakron.edu - The University of ...

a non-coercive consensus can actually emerge. This practice is well illustrated by the
affinity groups of the Spanish anarchists during the Spanish Civil War, whose federation
in the CNT and FAI 23 was a powerful and flexible method for organizing during that
social revolution. The most colorful recent exploration of these concepts can be found in
Anarchy in the Age of Dinosaurs by the Curious George Brigade (2003). 24
Utilitarian/Rational
John Locke, the godfather of utilitarianism, believed in the expansion of individual rights
and the idea of the social contract. In society, each person has contractual rights and
obligations to each other. While anarchists would agree with the general sentiment of
Locke's beliefs, they would reject the notion that such rights and obligations would have
to be codified in a “contract” or in the laws of a government. As Utah Phillips stated: “the
state can't give you free speech, and the state can't take it away; you're born with it, like
you eyes and ears (exact quote?)” (DiFranco & Phillips 1996, “Anarchy”). Although
Locke stated that the state should not rule, but govern, the distinction is a marginal one
for anarchists.
Jeremy Bentham argued against the penal system and debtor prisons—a sentiment that
anarchists have always aligned themselves with. Many “golden era” anarchists/radicals
tended to spend long years in prison (like Bakunin and Berkman) for their political
beliefs, writings, and activities. 25
However, general utilitarian thinking asserts that pursuit of individual interests lead to a
better society. Although anarchists believe strongly in personal freedom, they would
wholly reject the idea that simply pursuing individual interests (as if in a vacuum) would
lead to a better society. In fact, most would argue that the self-centered drive of
capitalism has lead to the depersonalization and alienation of humans from each other. As
xxxBakunin?xxx stated, “all anarchists are socialists, but not all socialists are
anarchists”, there is a general understanding that humans are social creatures and they
need each other both for the continuation and protection of the species, but also for
emotional and psychological reasons. 26
That is not to say that anarchists would disagree with that being the effective way that
modern capitalism operates (or wishes people to act). Anarchists have repeatedly
remarked upon the push of capitalism to demand intense consumers, hand-over-fist
barterers, and strong self-salesperson-ship. This push for ever increased efficiency is a
numbing one. (In fact, Sheppard (2003a) argues that rather than being efficient,
capitalism is actually incredibly inefficient!) The reduction of personal interactions (be
23 Find more about affinity groups, the CNT-FAI, and the Spanish Civil War in the chapter entitled
“Organization”.
24 This book is published under the auspice of the well-known (or perhaps notorious) moniker
“CrimethInc.”, whose inclinations have consistently been towards a more self-empowerment anarchism,
than a social movement anarchism.
25 See Berkman 1999 and the Anarchist Black Cross ?? for more information about anti-prison beliefs of
anarchists.
26 See Kropotkin's Mutual Aid and Glassman's excellent article (2000) on Kropotkin's sociobiology.
[ Williams 23 ] [ this is a draft. do not cite. ]