Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the political creed of
Anarchism. With Peter Marshall, John Keane and Ruth Kinna.
First Broadcast: December 7, 2006.
First Broadcast: December 7, 2006.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Anarchism and why its
political ideas became synonymous with chaos and disorder. Pierre Joseph
Proudhon famously declared “property is theft”. And perhaps more surprisingly
that “Anarchy is order”. Speaking in 1840, he was the first self-proclaimed
anarchist. Anarchy comes from the Greek word “anarchos”, meaning “without
rulers”, and the movement draws on the ideas of philosophers like William
Godwin and John Locke. It is also prominent in Taoism, Buddhism and other
religions. In Christianity, for example, St Paul said there is no authority
except God.
The anarchist rejection of a ruling class inspired communist
thinkers too. Peter Kropotkin, a Russian prince and leading anarcho-communist,
led this rousing cry in 1897: “Either the State for ever, crushing individual
and local life... Or the destruction of States and new life starting again.. on
the principles of the lively initiative of the individual and groups and that
of free agreement. The choice lies with you!” In the Spanish Civil War,
anarchists embarked on the largest experiment to date in organising society
along anarchist principles. Although it ultimately failed, it was not without successes
along the way.
So why has anarchism become synonymous with chaos and
disorder? What factors came together to make the 19th century and early 20th
century the high point for its ideas? How has its philosophy influenced other
movements from The Diggers and Ranters to communism, feminism and eco-warriors?
With John Keane, Professor of Politics at Westminster
University; Ruth Kinna, Senior Lecturer in Politics at Loughborough University;
Peter Marshall, philosopher and historian.
Listen to the full radio discussion below.
(Source)
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