Moribund Society and Anarchy · Chapter
II: Individualism and Solidarity explained
This chapter explores the false dichotomy between individualism and communism within anarchist thought, arguing that true anarchism reconciles individual liberty with social solidarity.
What happens
This chapter explores the false dichotomy between individualism and communism within anarchist thought, arguing that true anarchism reconciles individual liberty with social solidarity. It critiques exaggerated egoism and renunciation, positing solidarity as the synthesis that respects individual needs while ensuring mutual aid and collective well-being.
Themes in this chapter
Individualism and Solidarity
Central theme: argues that true anarchism synthesizes individual liberty with social solidarity, rejecting both pure egoism and forced altruism.
Critique of Private Property
Implied in the critique of bourgeois society where property and authority are maintained through exploitation and inequality.
Human Nature and Society
Discusses how human egoism and intelligence can evolve toward solidarity, challenging the notion that conflict is inevitable.
Characters to notice
- The Anarchists
Discussed as a diverse group, some of whom exaggerate individualism or communism, leading to internal debates.
- Anarchy
Referenced as the ideal society where solidarity and individual freedom coexist without oppression.
- Their Masters
Implied as the governing class that introduces agents to divide or mislead anarchists.
Key passages
“The individual has a right to his entire liberty, to the satisfaction of all his needs; that is understood. Only, as there exist more than a billion of individuals on the earth, with equal rights if not with equal needs, it follows that all these rights must be satisfied without encroaching on one another; otherwise that would be oppression, which would render the success of the revolution futile.”
Every person deserves full freedom and fulfillment of their needs, but with billions of people on Earth, these rights must be balanced so that no one's freedom infringes on another's, or else revolution would be pointless.
Highlights the core argument for solidarity as a practical necessity for anarchist society.
“But though egoism or altruism, separately, each pushed to its extreme, is pernicious to the individual and society, united they are resolved into a third term, which is the law of future societies. This law is solidarity.”
Extreme egoism or extreme altruism are both harmful, but when combined they create a new principle—solidarity—that will govern future societies.
Introduces solidarity as the synthesis that resolves the individualism vs. communism debate.