# Pro-Government Anarchists explained — Essays

> Chapter companion for Essays by Errico Malatesta.

## What happens

A critique of anarchists who support the Entente governments in World War I, arguing that such collaboration betrays anarchist principles by endorsing state power, militarism, and the prolongation of war. The author insists that anarchists must remain opposed to all governments and capitalists, advocating for revolution and the destruction of states as the only path to peace and liberty.

## Themes in this chapter

### Critique of Government and Authority

Argues that the state is incapable of good and that cooperating with governments betrays anarchist principles.

### Internationalism and Anti-Patriotism

Rejects nationalist war support, calling for solidarity among all peoples against capitalists and governments.

### Critique of Private Property and Capitalism

Advocates expropriation of private property as essential for justice and liberty.

### Revolution and Violence

Calls for revolution to end war and destroy state power, opposing the violence of war itself.

## Character check-ins

### Kropotkin

Signed the pro-Entente manifesto, criticized for reconciling anarchist ideas with government cooperation.

### Anarchists

Majority remain faithful to anarchist convictions, protesting the manifesto's implication of anarchism in supporting the war.

### the masters

Capitalist classes and governments that anarchists should oppose, not collaborate with.

### Socialists

Mentioned as having made common cause with the ruling class during the war, contrasted with true anarchists.

## Key lines

> We hold that the State is incapable of good. In the field of international as well as of individual relations it can only combat aggression by making itself the aggressor; it can only hinder crime by organising and committing still greater crime.

The state is inherently harmful: it fights aggression by being aggressive and prevents crime by committing worse crimes.

_Core anarchist critique of state power applied to international relations._

> More than ever we must avoid compromise; deepen the chasm between capitalists and wage slaves, between rulers and ruled; preach expropriation of private property and the destruction of States as the only means of guaranteeing fraternity between the peoples and Justice and Liberty for all.

We must intensify the divide between classes, advocate for abolishing private property and states, as these are the sole path to global fraternity and freedom.

_Call for uncompromising anarchist action and revolutionary goals._

> Today, as ever, let this be our slogan: Down with Capitalists and Governments, all Capitalists and Governments! Long live the peoples, all the peoples!

Our rallying cry remains: abolish all capitalists and governments, and support all peoples.

_Final affirmation of anarchist internationalism and anti-authoritarianism._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_se/chapters/pro-government-anarchists
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_se/chapters