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Graham R (Ed.) - Anarchism - A Documentary History of Libertarian Ideas Volume One - From Anarchy to Anarchism (300 CE to 1939)

Graham R (Ed.) - Anarchism - A Documentary History of Libertarian Ideas Volume One - From Anarchy to Anarchism (300 CE to 1939)

Graham R (Ed.) - Anarchism - A Documentary History of Libertarian Ideas Volume One - From Anarchy to Anarchism (300 CE to 1939)

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14 /<br />

ANARCHISM<br />

e) greed, wh ich is <strong>to</strong> say the opportunity fo r an individual, couple or fa mily<br />

group <strong>to</strong> own more than strictly required fo r their normal upkeep;<br />

f) the monopoly enjoyed by the State or any fo rm <strong>of</strong> executive which might take<br />

its place, which is <strong>to</strong> say its meddling in a centralizing, administrative, directive<br />

or organizational capacity in relations between individuals, in any sphere whatever;<br />

g) lending fo r interest, usury, speculation, monetary exchange rates, inheritance,<br />

etc.<br />

... Relations between individualist anarchists are founded upon a basis <strong>of</strong> "reciprocity."<br />

"Comradeship" is essentially on an individual basis and is never imposed. A<br />

"comrade" is someone with whom they, as individuals, are pleased <strong>to</strong> associate,<br />

someone who makes an appreciable effort <strong>to</strong> fe el alive, who participates in their<br />

propagation <strong>of</strong> educational criticism and selection <strong>of</strong> persons; who respects the individual's<br />

style <strong>of</strong> life and does not trespass against the development <strong>of</strong> his fe l­<br />

low-traveller and his nearest and dearest.<br />

The individualist anarchist is never slave <strong>to</strong> some model fo rmula or received<br />

text. He acknowledges only opinions. He has only theses <strong>to</strong> propose. And acknowledges<br />

no boundary. lfhe espouses a particular lifestyle, it is in order <strong>to</strong> derive greater<br />

freedom, greater happiness, greater well-being from it and not in order <strong>to</strong> sacrifice<br />

ililllseif Lv il. AIlJ he tinkers with it and reshapes it 'when he realizes that remaining<br />

fa ithful <strong>to</strong> it would do injury <strong>to</strong> his au<strong>to</strong>nomy. He has no desire <strong>to</strong> let himself be governed<br />

by a priori principles: he builds his behavioural code, a posteriori, upon his experiences<br />

and it is never final and is at all times subject <strong>to</strong> such amendments and<br />

changes as fu rther experience and the need <strong>to</strong> equip himself with fresh weapons in<br />

his battle with his surroundings may recommend ...<br />

The individualist anarchist is only ever answerable <strong>to</strong> himselffor his deeds and<br />

actions.<br />

The individualist anarchist looks upon association merely as an expedient, a<br />

makeshift arrangement. So only in urgent circumstances is he willing <strong>to</strong> enter in<strong>to</strong> association<br />

and then only <strong>of</strong> his own free will. And, as a general rule, he is willing <strong>to</strong> enter<br />

in<strong>to</strong> short-term arrangements only. it being unders<strong>to</strong>od throughout that every<br />

contract can be voided the moment it injures one <strong>of</strong> the contracting parties.<br />

The individualist anarchist lays down no specific sexual morality. It is up <strong>to</strong> every<br />

individual, <strong>of</strong> whichever sex, <strong>to</strong> determine his or her own sexual, emotional or<br />

sentimental life. The essential point is that in intimate relations between anarchists

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