Anarchism (Edexcel A Level Politics): Flashcards
Exam code: 9PL0
1/360Still learning
Know0
Define anarchism.
Was this flashcard helpful?
Cards in this collection (36)
Define anarchism.
Anarchism is a political ideology that rejects the state and all forms of imposed authority, arguing that society should be organised through voluntary cooperation rather than coercion.
Why do anarchists reject the state?
Anarchists reject the state because they see it as a coercive institution that restricts human freedom and equality.
Kropotkin argued for federations of communities and rejected centralised authority.
Kropotkin argued for federations of self-managed communities and rejected centralised authority.
Define liberty in anarchism.
Liberty refers to individual autonomy and the ability to make personal choices without coercion from the state or other forms of imposed authority.
According to Bakunin, how is liberty achieved?
Bakunin argued that liberty is achieved in and through others, so individual freedom is realised through collective freedom.
True or False?
Stirner promoted egoistic freedom, arguing that the individual's will is sovereign.
True.
Stirner promoted egoistic freedom and argued that the individual's will is sovereign.
Define anarchy is order.
'Anarchy is order' is the belief that social order can emerge naturally without the state, through voluntary cooperation rather than coercive authority.
How do anarchists believe harmony develops in society?
Anarchists believe harmony develops by removing hierarchy, because hierarchy creates conflict.
Define economic freedom in anarchism.
Economic freedom refers to freedom from economic coercion and exploitation, particularly those created by the state and capitalist systems of ownership and control.
How does mutualism deliver economic freedom for anarchists?
Mutualism delivers economic freedom through anti-capitalist markets and voluntary exchange based on use, not profit, as advocated by Proudhon.
For anarchists, utopianism is the belief that it is possible to create a free, cooperative and society by abolishing or reimagining institutions of power.
For anarchists, utopianism is the belief that it is possible to create a free, cooperative and egalitarian society by abolishing or reimagining institutions of power.
True or False?
Anarchist utopianism is underpinned by a negative view of human nature.
False.
Anarchist utopianism rests on a positive view of human nature, seeing harmony and liberty as achievable.
Define collectivist anarchism.
Collectivist anarchism holds that humans have a natural tendency to cooperate and that society should be organised around communal ownership and collective decision-making rather than individual competition.
Which three strands make up collectivist anarchism?
Collectivist anarchism includes anarcho-communism, mutualism and anarcho-syndicalism.
Define anarcho-communism.
Anarcho-communism advocates the abolition of private property, distribution of goods based on need, and self-organised communes without a centralised state.
Define mutualism.
Mutualism supports use-ownership and markets without capitalism, in which profit, wage labour and monopolies are rejected.
What do anarcho-syndicalists see as the basis of a post-capitalist society?
Anarcho-syndicalists see trade unions as the basis of a post-capitalist society, using direct action such as strikes and boycotts as the method of change.
Define individualist anarchism.
Individualist anarchism holds that humans are motivated by personal freedom and self-interest and that society should be organised through voluntary agreements rather than collective authority.
Individualist anarchism includes anarcho-capitalism and .
Individualist anarchism includes anarcho-capitalism and egoism.
What do anarcho-capitalists want to replace the state with?
Anarcho-capitalists want to replace the state with private enterprise or competing organisations operating within a free market.
True or False?
Egoists believe individuals have moral obligations to natural rights beyond individual freedom.
False.
Egoists reject moral obligations to natural rights beyond individual freedom and choice.
On human nature, how do collectivists and individualists disagree?
On human nature, collectivists emphasise cooperative instincts while individualists prioritise egoist self-interest and view humans as more naturally selfish.
True or False?
All strands of anarchism regard the state as unnecessary and oppressive.
True.
For all strands the state is unnecessary, oppressive and a corrupting force that should be replaced by voluntary structures.
On the theme of the economy, collectivists are less supportive of than individualists.
On the theme of the economy, collectivists are less supportive of private property than individualists.
What core principle unites individualist anarchist thinkers?
Individualist anarchist thinkers such as Stirner and Proudhon are united by prioritising individual sovereignty and personal autonomy over collective authority.
Define egoism as understood by Stirner.
For Stirner, egoism prioritises individual freedom above all authority, rejecting the state, morality and collective claims on the individual.
What form of association did Stirner argue for?
Stirner argued for a voluntary union of egoists based on self-interest.
Define Proudhon's mutualism.
Proudhon's mutualism advocates voluntary exchange and property based on use, not exploitation, rejecting profit, wage labour and monopolies.
Proudhon supported decentralised of cooperative communities.
Proudhon supported decentralised federations of cooperative communities.
What distinguishes the collectivist anarchist strand?
Collectivist anarchist thinkers such as Bakunin, Kropotkin and Goldman emphasise communal ownership and cooperation replacing the state.
What did Bakunin argue for regarding the state?
Bakunin argued for the immediate abolition of the state and hierarchy, seeing authority as a direct threat to liberty.
Define mutual aid as developed by Kropotkin.
Mutual aid is Kropotkin's concept that cooperation is natural and essential for survival, supporting communal ownership of resources.
What kind of communities did Kropotkin favour?
Kropotkin favoured decentralised, self-governing communities with communal ownership of resources.
True or False?
Emma Goldman described the state as a 'cold monster'.
True.
Goldman described the state as a 'cold monster' and argued anarchism is necessary for liberty and social justice.
Goldman bridged individual freedom with collective .
Goldman bridged individual freedom with collective responsibility.
True or False?
Bakunin believed humans are naturally selfish and competitive.
False.
Bakunin believed humans are naturally cooperative and supported worker control of production.
Sign up to unlock flashcards
or