this post was submitted on 07 Apr 2025
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I agree central authority has the potential to lead to complete and utter chaos, like we saw in countless wars particularly WW1 and 2.
Or they'd decide to cling to their own power. It all depends on which individuals get to any position of power. In an anarchic society, smaller amounts of power can go a lot further. A militia of 10000 men roaming through a decentralized federation of people has the potential to do a lot of damage. With monopolized violence that militia would have a difficult time ever forming.
Most of my thinking is in regard to a state like America turning into an anarchist society. Given there's 350 million~ Americans, it's a certainty that there would be a plethora of groups organizing to solidify their power base. That's why there are no anarchist nation-state sized population to look to as an example for the hypotheticals I've posed. Any opportunity for anarchism has already given way to a centralized government.
Wherever humans are involved, there will inevitably be disaster. There are many, many valid critiques of capitalism, especially the digital corporate capitalism that has taken over.
What would this look like in practice? If you lived in what is now California and you wanted to sell to someone in current day New York, what currency would you accept in lieu of money within an anarchist society?
The fact there are none is proof that's exactly what happens.
Exactly.
I think there's been a bit of a misunderstanding. I should clarify that I do not wish that centralized government has to be the case. I wish human nature was not inherently violent and greedy. If anarchism could work, I would be happy to partake. However, I do not believe that it is possible for a sustained community to exist as an anarchy because human nature eventually pushes us to organize. We are a species dictated by game theory.
No, that is proof SOMETHING prevents them, not at all the thing you're describing, proof the thing you're describing would be a primary source saying that happened.
That means none of the problems with anarchism are internal, which is a significant blow to the notion that we shouldn't be doing anarchism.
It doesn't, considering the only thing that stops anarchism is external forces destroying it, it's completely possible.
This premise has nothing to do with anything, it doesn't matter how violent or greedy people are, anarchist philosophy has no bearing on these ideas.
Anarchism is not disorganized, it's actually HIGHLY organized, because it's democratically managed.
I don't see what that has to do with anything.
So, first, you acknowledge that the only reason anarchism is destroyed is due to external forces, not internal politics, then, you say, see? anarchism is fundamentally flawed.
No, the world is setup in a way that destroys peoples movements in general, this isn't a flaw with anarchist ideology, this just means it's difficult to create an anarchist society while the US is a world superpower.
Dude stop wasting all this effort on a willing idiot, save the energy for something useful.
when you can type at 160wpm it's not much effort, and if it helps even one person (not the idiot) it'll have been worth it for me!
Thousands of years of human history is enough for me.
As long as people are involved, there's the possibility for something to wrong. Although, when there is no central government, there isn't as much potential for severe internal political turmoil. The stakes are much lower because the communities would be much smaller.
I do appreciate how much hope you have.
By this logic, if you were a feudalist, you'd say "capitalism could never work" simply because the conditions haven't been historically right.
Right, so, anarchism has a reduced chance of internal strife and failure...
It has nothing to do with hope, and everything to do with reading and understanding theory and history.
There are millions of Jimmys. Self-serving, power hungry people end up in positions of power because they are willing to do whatever it takes to get there. It's ok if you think I'm an ignorant asshole.
You'll find it difficult to convince people of your ideology if your first move is to call someone an asshole when they disagree with you.