Episode #192 … Should we overthrow the government tomorrow? – Anarchism pt. 1 (Chomsky, Malatesta) | Philosophize This!

Intro

In this episode of “Philosophize This!”, the host explores the concept of anarchism and its implications for society. The episode delves into the misconceptions surrounding anarchism and highlights the importance of questioning hierarchical authority in various contexts. Prominent anarchist thinkers like Noam Chomsky and Errico Malatesta provide insights into the necessity of justifying positions of authority and reimagining power structures. The episode also touches upon the role of government, corporations, and media in controlling people’s lives. The host encourages listeners to submit questions for the next episode, which will address criticisms and responses to anarchist ideas.

Main Takeaways

The Nature of Anarchism

• Anarchism is often misunderstood as simply wanting to overthrow the government.
• Anarchism is more about questioning and justifying hierarchical authority.
• Anarchism questions the necessity of authority in various contexts, from the government to family dynamics.
• Anarchism challenges the self-justifying nature of authority and its impact on society.

Anarchist Critique of Government

• Anarchists believe those in positions of authority should justify their role and demonstrate how it serves everyone better than self-governance.
• Anarchists question the qualifications and selection process of those in power, suggesting collective wisdom may be more effective.
• Anarchists have issues with the government’s setup, including unfulfilled promises, disconnect between officials and reality, limited understanding of problems, oversight and accountability problems, and corruption.
• Anarchists view the government as an entity that dominates rather than mediates, passing laws that restrict freedoms and using force to maintain power.

Alternative Societal Structures

• Anarchism offers numerous alternative worlds to imagine living in and is open to reimagining hierarchical systems in society.
• Anarchist societies may be structured as decentralized federated networks of communities based on free association.
• Anarchists advocate for a true democratic collective where power is at the base and the people affected by decisions are the ones voting.
• In anarchist societies, temporary delegation of power is used, heavily supervised by the community and can be revoked democratically if necessary.

Chomsky’s Perspective

• Noam Chomsky argues that if an authority cannot justify its existence, it is our responsibility to dismantle it.
• Chomsky urges people to consider historical examples where oppressive systems were seen as necessary, such as slavery.
• Chomsky highlights the influence of corporations, media, and institutions in controlling materials, ideas, and norms in today’s world.
• Chomsky believes that abolishing the state without a viable alternative would only make corporations more powerful and suggests a federated network of communities as a potential alternative.

Summary

Anarchism: Questioning Hierarchical Authority

Anarchism is often misunderstood as simply wanting to overthrow the government. However, it is more about questioning and justifying hierarchical authority in various contexts. Anarchists believe that those in positions of authority should justify their role and demonstrate how it serves everyone better than self-governance. This critique extends beyond the government and questions the necessity of authority in everyday situations, aiming for more freedom in smaller contexts. Noam Chomsky argues that if an authority cannot justify its existence, it is our responsibility to dismantle it. He highlights historical examples where oppressive systems were seen as necessary but ultimately held back progress. Anarchism fundamentally disagrees with hierarchical authority and seeks solutions while differing on details.

Anarchist Critique of Government and Power Structures

Anarchists have issues with the government’s setup, including unfulfilled promises, disconnect between officials and reality, limited understanding of problems, oversight and accountability problems, and corruption. They question the qualifications and selection process of those in power, suggesting that collective wisdom may be more effective than a small cabinet of elected officials. Anarchists view the government as an entity that dominates rather than mediates, passing laws that restrict freedoms and using force to maintain power. However, anarchism goes beyond critiquing the government and questions the necessity of current power structures and institutions. It highlights the influence of corporations, media, and institutions in controlling materials, ideas, and norms in today’s world.

Alternative Societal Structures and Anarchist Values

Anarchism offers numerous alternative worlds to imagine living in and is open to reimagining hierarchical systems in society. Anarchist societies may be structured as decentralized federated networks of communities based on free association. They advocate for a true democratic collective where power is at the base and the people affected by decisions are the ones voting. Temporary delegation of power is used in these communities, heavily supervised by the rest of the community, and can be revoked democratically if necessary. Anarchists believe this type of setup is delegation rather than domination, where delegates hold little to no power themselves. Anarchist values of liberty, equality, and solidarity are intrinsically linked, with each one needing the other two for a true version of the value. Communities of like-minded people with similar goals benefit from cooperation.

Conclusion

Anarchism challenges the self-justifying nature of hierarchical authority and questions its impact on society. It offers alternative ways to structure society without relying on top-down governance. By questioning the necessity of authority in various contexts and advocating for decentralized federated networks of communities, anarchism seeks to promote liberty, equality, and solidarity. The next episode of “Philosophize This!” will delve into criticisms and responses to anarchist ideas, providing further insights into this thought-provoking philosophy.