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In Defense of Anarchism
This work of anarchist scholarship defends individualist anarchism. The premise is that individual autonomy & state authority are mutually exclusive &, as individual autonomy is inalienable, the state's moral legitimacy collapses. Published by Harper & Row in 1970 as In Defense of Anarchism: With a Reply to Jeffrey H. Reiman's In Defense of Political Philosophy...more
Paperback, 118 pages
Published
June 23rd 1970
by Harper & Row (NYC)
(first published 1970)
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Jul 30, 2009
Robert
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
law,
libertarianism,
philosophy,
politics,
postmodernism,
_read_arts-sciences,
_top-recommended
The book started out in the 1960s as an essay called "The Fundamental Problem of Political Theory", but eventually came to be called "The Impossibility of a Solution to the Fundamental Problem of Political Philosophy". In the conflict between authority and autonomy, even representative and majoritarian democracy faces a crisis of legitimation.
A "legitimate state" turns out to be a myth. The only possible legitimacy is in a direct democracy where there is a complete 100% consensus on a given iss...more
A "legitimate state" turns out to be a myth. The only possible legitimacy is in a direct democracy where there is a complete 100% consensus on a given iss...more
I think he underestimates the corrupting influence of capitalist fantasies and the importance of restraining autonomy to some extent. This text is strictly an analysis of how different social structures impact autonomy, and I'm fairly convinced by its argument that representative democracy, majoritarian democracy, and dictatorship/monarchy restrict autonomy of minorities in basically the same way. Wolff seems to be upset about the distance between the individual and the state, and does a fairly...more
Knocked this off in an afternoon, and glad I did. A deep and thoughtful discussion of the conflict between personal autonomy and state authority. Written in the 1960's, I found it helpful for reflection on the upheaval in mainline denominations--and for our country--today: where does authority lie, where does personal conviction come into play, and how can we make good decisions as national and international bodies?
I can't say that I find his final argument for a anarchistic society realistic,...more
I can't say that I find his final argument for a anarchistic society realistic,...more
overall, there's some fairly good critique here of "majority rules" voting as a decision-making process, and of governmental authority generally. this includes, but is not limited to, ineffectiveness at consistently choosing policy based on the majority's views or preferences, "wasted votes," and the lack of consent and autonomy that results for those who did not vote "with" the majority. a couple thought experiments and practical alternatives are discussed.
some parts made more sense with (my ad...more
some parts made more sense with (my ad...more
Jun 15, 2012
Erik Graff
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
political science students
Recommended to Erik by:
David Schweickart
Shelves:
philosophy
This was a rather disappointing book assigned for PHIL482, "Social & Political Philosophy". The claim that individual moral autonomy is irreconcilable with state authority is correct, but correct in the trivial sense that many contracts or promises are so incompatible. Are all such covenants therefore immoral?
I think not--not if certain basic rights are guaranteed. What is good is everything which increases the real autonomy of moral agents. What is bad is anything which decreases it. One ca...more
I think not--not if certain basic rights are guaranteed. What is good is everything which increases the real autonomy of moral agents. What is bad is anything which decreases it. One ca...more
This book can lead many decent anarchist in the wrong direction. Essentially a work that defends libertarianism because there is no justification in coercing a person into giving up their autonomy for the benefit of society. This is not at all how I see anarchism because we also need to confront other systems of power such as capitalism, religion, and the patriarchal family structure.
I suppose they have you read this in first year political science classes because it does very little to help st...more
I suppose they have you read this in first year political science classes because it does very little to help st...more
Thought provoking and extremely interesting. Are people autonomous in contemporary states? Can you as an individual be free in a democracy where you are unquestioningly obliged to obey the laws of the state; laws that shape your whole life, even though they're created by other people than yourself? Is it possible to create a system of unanimous decision-making in contemporary democracies? Really recommend this book to everyone, whether you're interested in political theory or not.
In Defense of Anarchism (with a New Preface) by Robert Paul Wolff (1998)
Changed the way i understand politics completely.
The first forty pages is political philosophy; the rest is political science. You can quit after 40 pages, and not miss anything.
Good book, tactic was to show how other forms of government are inferior. Yet, a little too technical.
Sep 25, 2007
Rachel
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anarchists
Shelves:
nonfiction
This doesn't work if you don't believe in moral autonomy. But if you do, it's good!
an introduction to anarchy.
Apr 27, 2013
Gaines
marked it as to-read
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Robert Paul Wolff is an American political philosopher. An alumnus of Harvard University, he currently teaches at University of Massachusetts-Amherst. He was primarily known for his research on Immanuel Kant.
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Sep 25, 2007 08:24pm