# XVII: As to What Means Follow from the Principles explained — Moribund Society and Anarchy

> Chapter companion for Moribund Society and Anarchy by Jean Grave.

## What happens

This chapter argues that the means used to achieve anarchy must be consistent with anarchist principles, rejecting authoritarian methods like universal suffrage and electoral politics. It critiques those who justify theft under anti-property ideology, distinguishes propaganda by deed from senseless violence, and emphasizes that the struggle should be directed against institutions through decentralized, leaderless action. The surest way to bring about anarchy is to act like an anarchist—without abdicating autonomy or creating new authorities.

## Themes in this chapter

### Propaganda by Deed

The chapter distinguishes between meaningful propaganda by deed (thought transferred into action with a clear aim) and senseless violence that alienates workers and harms the cause.

### Critique of Private Property

The text critiques private property and condemns theft as a bourgeois act, arguing that true anarchist struggle targets the appropriation of means of existence by a few.

### Individualism and Solidarity

Emphasizes that individual action does not exclude common understanding; anarchists cooperate without abdicating autonomy, rejecting authority even in collective struggle.

### Negation of Authority

The chapter explicitly rejects universal suffrage, electoral politics, and any form of leadership that involves subordination, insisting on equality and mutual aid without authority.

## Character check-ins

### The Anarchists

Discussed as repudiating certain means of struggle (e.g., universal suffrage) and as sometimes carrying reasoning to absurdity by justifying theft or advocating indiscriminate violence.

### Unknown Narrator

The narrator presents the anarchist position, arguing that means must align with principles and that authority must be rejected even in revolutionary tactics.

### Their Masters

Referenced as those who would become masters if anarchists sought power through elections or delegated authority.

### Anarchy

Personified as the ideal to be achieved; the chapter discusses how certain means (e.g., theft, electoral politics) are contrary to Anarchy's principles.

## Key lines

> The surest means of making Anarchy triumph is to act like an Anarchist.

The most effective way to achieve an anarchist society is to live and struggle according to anarchist principles in the present.

_This encapsulates the chapter's core argument that means and ends must be consistent._

> Why should you not try to get possession of power,” they say, “in order to force people to put your ideas into practice?

Critics ask why anarchists don't seize power to impose their ideas.

_The narrator uses this question to introduce the rejection of authoritarian means._

> Thus out of hatred to property, certain Anarchists have come to justify theft, and pushing the theory to absurdity have no blame for theft practiced by comrade upon comrade.

Some anarchists, in their opposition to property, wrongly defend theft even among comrades.

_The text critiques this as a misunderstanding of anarchist principles._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/chapters/xvii-as-to-what-means-follow-from-the-principles
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/chapters