Definitional concerns in anarchist theory

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The political theories collectively known as anarchism encompass not only a range of individual schools, but also a considerable divergence in the use of some key terms. Some terms, such as socialism, have been subject to multiple definitions and ideological struggle throughout the period of the development of anarchism. Others, such as capitalism are used in used in divergent, and often contradictory, ways by different schools within the tradition. In addition, terms such as mutualism have changed their meanings over time, without spawning new schools. All of these terminological difficulties contribute to misunderstandings within and about anarchism.

A central concern is whether the term anarchism is defined in opposition to hierarchy, authority or the state. Debates over the meaning of the term emerge from the fact that it refers to both an abstract philosophical position and to intellectual, political and institutional traditions, all of which have been fraught with conflict. Some minimal, abstract definitions encourage the inclusion of figures, movements and philosophical positions which have historically positioned themselves outside, or even in opposition to, individuals and traditions that have identified themselves as "anarchist."

[edit] The "Zaxlebax" Problem

Roderick T. Long addresses one of the key terminological difficulties—the "amalgamation of incompatible meanings" in common usage of key terms—with the example of the "zaxlebax."

Suppose I were to invent a new word, "zaxlebax," and define it as "a metallic sphere, like the Washington Monument.

He contends that, in ordinary usage, this sort of "package-deal term" is as much the rule as the exception, and that capitalism and socialism are both subject to this sort of usage.

Now I think the word "capitalism," if used with the meaning most people give it, is a package-deal term. By "capitalism" most people mean neither the free market simpliciter nor the prevailing neomercantilist system simpliciter. Rather, what most people mean by "capitalism" is this free-market system that currently prevails in the western world. In short, the term "capitalism" as generally used conceals an assumption that the prevailing system is a free market. And since the prevailing system is in fact one of government favoritism toward business, the ordinary use of the term carries with it the assumption that the free market is government favoritism toward business.

The term "socialism," he claims, is subject to a similar internal contradiction: "it conveys opposition to the free market, and opposition to neomercantilism, as though these were one and the same." Moreover, he suggests that the function of these terms is to "to blur the distinction between the free market and neomercantilism." Whether or not this is the case, the "package deal" aspect of these common usages creates significant problems when the terms are used in discussion or planning. Long's lecture "Rothbard's 'Left and Right': Forty Years Later" explores the ways in which different factions within market anarchism emphasize different elements within these "package deal" terms, and end up speaking different—apparently opposed—languages while advocating many of the same ends and projects.^[1]

[edit] Social systems and economic models

[edit] Socialism

Although dictionary definitions of socialism have tended to emphasize social or state control of key resources, usages in political circles have varied considerably. In 1894, Richard Ely noted that the term had "already acquired a variety of meanings." These included, in its most general sense, the view that society is "a living, growing organism, the laws of which are something different from the laws of individual action."^[2] Several years earlier, in 1888, the individualist anarchist Benjamin R. Tucker included the full text of a "Socialistic Letter" by Ernest Lesigne in his essay on "State Socialism and Anarchism." According to Lesigne, there are two socialisms, and "One is dictatorial, the other libertarian."^[3]

[edit] Capitalism

Capitalism is one of the most hotly contested terms in anarchist theory. Anti-capitalism is considered a key element of anarchism by most social anarchists, while anarcho-capitalists quite naturally disagree. The conflict arises from some combination of genuine differences of opinion on the merits of market economies, differing definitions of "capitalism," and the "package deal" character of some definitions.

[edit] Forms of anarchism

Main article: Anarchist schools of thought

Many terms can either designate specific forms of anarchism or broader trends within anarchism. In rough alphabetical order:

"Agorism" can refer to a counter-economic strategies or to market propertarian left-libertarianism.

In the socialist tradition, "collectivist anarchism" refers to those forms, outlined by Mikhail Bakunin, among others, which combine community ownership of most or all of the means of production with community payment for labor. In certain other traditions, "collectivist anarchism" refers to social/communal anarchism in general.

"Communal anarchism" refers to collectivist anarchism, communist anarchism, and collectivist or communist forms of other schools (e.g. of anarcho-syndicalism).

"Individualist anarchism" can refer to egoist anarchism or various forms of market anarchism.

"Social anarchism" most often refers to collectivist anarchism, communist anarchism, and collectivist or communist forms of other schools (e.g. of anarcho-syndicalism). It can also refer to the circle around the periodical "Social Anarchism."

In the socialist tradition, "socialist anarchism" refers to any form which opposes presently-existing capitalism and consciously favors a more egalitarian society, e.g. some forms of agorism, collectivist anarchism, communist anarchism, most forms of mutualist anarchism. In some other libertarian traditions, "socialist anarchism" may be limited to non-market forms of socialist anarchism.

"Syndicalism" can refer to labor-union-centered strategies, or specifically to social anarchist versions of these.

"Voluntary socialism" was Francis D. Tandy's term for his form of individualist anarchism.

"Distributism" is a Roman Catholic tradition which is sometimes considered a form of left-libertarianism.

"Industrialism" can refer to any of industrialization (not an anarchist ideology), a certain classical-liberal tradition, and industrial unionism.

[edit] References