Moribund Society and Anarchy · Chapter
IX: The Right to Punish and the Savants explained
This chapter critiques the legal and penal systems as tools of class oppression, arguing that justice is a hypocritical facade for protecting property and privilege.
What happens
This chapter critiques the legal and penal systems as tools of class oppression, arguing that justice is a hypocritical facade for protecting property and privilege. It challenges the authority of magistrates and savants, asserting that crime is a product of social conditions rather than individual depravity, and calls for the destruction of institutions that perpetuate exploitation.
Themes in this chapter
Negation of Authority
The chapter attacks the authority of magistrates, law, and the state as hypocritical tools of class rule.
Critique of Private Property
Argues that property laws protect exploiters and create crime, questioning the justice of property itself.
Human Nature and Society
Contends that crime is a product of social environment, not inherent evil, and that changing society will eliminate crime.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
The narrator speaks as 'us Anarchists' and 'we,' attacking authority and legality.
- The Anarchists
Referenced as 'us Anarchists' who assail legality and authority.
- Their Masters
Implied as the governing class whose interests are masked by legal institutions.
- C. Lombroso
Mentioned indirectly through critique of anthropologists who study criminals but fail to see social causes.
- Dr. Manouvrier
Referenced indirectly as a savant whose broad perceptions contradict narrow conclusions.
Key passages
“Hence for us Anarchists, who attack authority, legality is one of those hypocritical forms which we must most energetically assail, in order to tear off the tinsel which serves to hide the recantations and the shames of those who govern us.”
For anarchists, legality is a hypocritical facade that conceals the failures and shame of rulers, and must be attacked.
Highlights the anarchist rejection of legal authority as a mask for oppression.
“Let society once be so arranged that every individual shall be assured of the satisfaction of all his needs; that nothing shall fetter his free evolution; that in the social organization there shall be no more institutions of which he may avail himself to enslave his fellows, and you will see crime disappear.”
If society ensures everyone's needs are met and no institutions enable enslavement, crime will vanish.
Summarizes the environmental determinist view that crime is a product of social conditions.
“You punish as a thief the unfortunate who, having no work, risks imprisonment to get hold of a piece of bread to appease his hunger; but you take off your hat and bow to the millionaire monopolist who by the help of his capital has cornered at a bargain those things necessary for the consumption of all, that he may sell them back at an enormous profit!”
Society punishes the poor thief for bread while honoring the rich monopolist who hoards necessities for profit.
Illustrates the hypocrisy of a legal system that targets the poor and protects the wealthy.