An Anarchist FAQ - Section B - Why do anarchists oppose the current system?

Posted Sat, 2010-01-23 21:56 by Chuck

An Anarchist FAQ

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Section B - Why do anarchists oppose the current system?

Introduction

B.1 Why are anarchists against authority and hierarchy?

    B.1.1 What are the effects of authoritarian social
    relationships?

    B.1.2 Is capitalism hierarchical?

    B.1.3 What kind of hierarchy of values
    does capitalism create?

    B.1.4 Why do racism, sexism and homophobia
    exist?

    B.1.5 How is the mass-psychological
    basis for authoritarian civilisation created?

B.2 Why are anarchists against the state?

    B.2.1 What is the main function of
    the state?

    B.2.2 Does the state have subsidiary
    functions?

    B.2.3 How does the ruling class maintain
    control of the state?

    B.2.4 How does state centralisation
    affect freedom?

    B.2.5 Who benefits from centralisation?

B.3 Why are anarchists against private property?

    B.3.1 What is the difference between
    private property and possession?

    B.3.2 What kinds of private property
    does the state protect?

    B.3.3 Why is private property exploitative?

    B.3.4 Can private property be justified?

B.4 How does capitalism affect liberty?

    B.4.1 Is capitalism based on freedom?

    B.4.2 Is capitalism based on self-ownership?


    B.4.3 But no one forces you to work
    for them!

    B.4.4 But what about periods of high
    demand for labour?

    B.4.5 But I want to be "left alone"!

B.5 Is capitalism empowering and based on human action?
B.6 But will not the decisions made by intelligent individuals with their own financial success or failure on the line will be better most of the time?
B.7 What classes exist within modern society?

    B.7.1 But do classes actually exist?

    B.7.2 Why is the existence of classes
    denied?

    B.7.3 What do anarchists mean by "class
    consciousness"    ?