mutualism

A Schematic Anarchism: Notes on Application

A Schematic Anarchism: Notes on Application

From Libertarian Labyrinth by Shawn P. Wilbur

One thing leads to another. In this case, a rereading of Proudhon’s War and Peace—in the new English translation—led back to his unpublished Economie manuscripts, where some methodological writings that I had neglected on earlier readings suggested refinements of the schematic anarchism toolkit. I’ll try to address all of this in some brief notes.

Constructing an Unfixed Freedom

Constructing an Unfixed Freedom

From Mutualism Co-op By Joel Williamson

Self Interest

In every interaction and through every social structure, humans exercise an unavoidable psychological instinct known as self interest. It is a deep motivational factor that is inseparable from our subjectivity. Whether we are kind or cruel, it operates in the background of our decisions and persists despite our awareness of its presence. It is a definitive root feature of the human animal.

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Further Reflections on Anarchist Tendencies and Mutualist History

Further Reflections on Anarchist Tendencies and Mutualist History

From Libertarian Labyrinth by Shawn P. Wilbur

This is a collection of another Twitter thread, in the course of which I’ve been sharing some reminiscences on how “neo-proudhonian” mutualism emerged and how those who have adopted the label or encounter it in anarchist circles might understand the particular gambits involved in its construction. These things necessarily get away from us, once loosed upon the world—and that’s fine, perhaps simply as it should be—but I suspect they may serve others better if they retain some of the character of their origins.  

Reflections on Anarchist Tendencies and Mutualist History

Reflections on Anarchist Tendencies and Mutualist History

From Libertarian Labyrinth by Shawn P. Wilbur

What follows is a long Twitter thread, originally intended for the audience there as a response to certain criticisms of the historical account developed by myself and others regarding mutualism. It’s a mix of reflections on our search for the perhaps ultimately illusory core of “the mutualism tradition” and thoughts on how to apply the lessons learned in the course of that exploration.

​An Interview With Kevin Carson

from C4SS

Words Beyond the Market and the State, Pt. I & II

Today, as you can see from the title, we bring you the first of two parts of an interview with Kevin Carson, a senior fellow at C4SS who holds the Karl Hess Chair in Social Theory. Recently there has been a translation of both his first book into Spanish, Studies in Mutualist Political Economy (by the Innisfree publishing house), and also a translation of recent work, such as the one done by Confederatio Think Tank of the C4SS study entitled: “Libertarian Municipalism: Networked Cities as Resilient Platforms for Post-Capitalist Transition.”

Relitigating Decentralization

via Center for a Stateless Society

Relitigating Decentralization: Response to M Black by William Gillis

I must confess no small horror on reading M Black’s contribution to this Mutual Exchange. A self-professed anarchist, defending centralization? I would normally let such arguments fall on their face alone, but if we are to platform them in this exchange I feel a moral obligation to reiterate basic reality. My response will be divided into two parts. I will first respond to M Black’s abrogation of basic anarchism in his acceptance of centralized democracy. Then I will respond to the specific claims as to the comparable inefficiencies of markets.

A Brief Overview Of Benjamin Tucker’s Individualist Anarchism

A Brief Overview Of Benjamin Tucker’s Individualist Anarchism

By Nicholas Evans

Benjamin Tucker’s brand of Individualist Anarchism was mostly known through his journal Liberty which lasted over 27 years. 1. His Individualist Anarchism is a combination of the work of Josiah Warren, William B. Greene, J.K. Ingalls, P.J. Proudhon, and Herbert Spencer. 2.

Table of Contents For This Article:
A. What is Anarchism?
B. What is Capitalism?
C. What is the State?
D. What is Socialism?
E. What is Benjamin Tucker’s Individualist Anarchism?
F. How Can Benjamin Tucker’s Individualist Anarchism Be Achieved?

Introducing The Left Market Anarchist Zinelibrary

welcome to my dojo

From C4SS by William Gillis

The great advantage of the anarchist movement is our decentralization, but without resilient protocols and networks we’re always at risk of losing pieces of our history and knowledge. There have been a number of compilations of anarchist and left-market anarchist pamphlets and zines over the years, and unfortunately most of them have decayed or fallen into obscurity.

Mutualism — The Wolf in Anarchist Clothing

Mutualism — The Wolf in Anarchist Clothing

From No Wing Anarchy

Mutualism describes itself using words like “voluntary”, “reciprocal”, and (most contestedly) “anarchist”. Perhaps there is some claim to be made here, as the coiner of the term “mutualism” is the same man that brought the word “anarchism” into the Western world, Proudhon. Perhaps, though, despite having some claim of familial lineage in relation to anarchism, mutualism is yet another ideology that stifles individuality. Just like any other prescriptive “-ism”, there is an inherent danger in adhering to blueprints. The individual who adheres to an ideology stagnates in devotion to that ideology. The groups of individuals who form around ideologies have a tendency to calcify, and form rigid social systems. While an anarchism based in the idea of “no rulers” opposes these tendencies, as it is always vigilant towards potential coercive situations, mutualism does not contain this same defense mechanisms. Just like communism, socialism, and the many hyphenated anarchisms, mutualism betrays anarchism by attempting to prescribe a particular action or process, rather than anarchism’s simple prescription of freedom.

New Podcast from C4SS: Mutual Exchange Radio

From C4SS

We’re excited to announce the launch of a new project from the Center for a Stateless Society: Mutual Exchange Radio. This new podcast on anarchist thought, hosted by Zachary Woodman, brings together a wide variety of guests, from academics, to on-the-ground activists, to Center scholars, to entrepreneurs to discuss the latest developments in the philosophy and practice of market anarchism.

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