21/09/2008

Things I Don't Understand, a Continuing Series

Why on earth is support of anarchy usually associated with the left? Leaving aside the fact that the general consequences of anarchy have been aptly described by Thomas Hobbes, for the economic system anarchy would mean the most unregulated, cut-throat form of capitalism you can possibly think of. That's not exactly an aim the left is typically striving for, is it?

2 comments:

Political Scientist said...

Yes, anarchism is rather reactionary, isn't it? I think anarcho-syndicalism suggests that there will be societies that crystalise out of the anarchy; anarchism as a means, rather than an end. However, even this instrumental anarchism strongly resembles a libertarian paradise.

Marxists believe the state will eventually wither away, but I don't think this is what they have in mind...

LemmusLemmus said...

Marxists believe that if only you have socialism long enough, somehow human nature is going to change, so that everyone is going to produce according to his/her abilities and give to other people according to their needs. Not a bet I'll put my money on.