Anarchist organization : Kropotkin's scientific theory
This thesis approaches anarchist organisation in practical and revolutionary terms. Its theme is Kropotkin's conception of the relationship between the end of anarchy and the process of anarchist transformation. The thesis examines this relationship as a continuous theoretical development, questioning the existing interpretations of his thought which identify a revision of his ideas in his formulation of the theory of mutual aid. It finds that these interpretations of his work are mistaken and based on a misunderstanding of his use of Darwinian evolutionary theory. Rejecting the beliefs that Kropotkin's scientific anarchism is based either on a desire to prove the necessity of anarchy or to replace revolution with a process of gradual evolutionary reform, the thesis suggests that questions of strategy have a secondary importance in his work. Kropotkin's anarchism is directed toward securing moral behaviour by restructuring society. Rejecting the alleged discontinuity of his thought, the thesis acknowledges that there are differences between Kropotkin's early and late writings. In his early work, Kropotkin's understanding of anarchist organisation is based on a commitment to communism and on an expectation
Kinna, Ruth
Anarchism
Anarchist organization : Kropotkin's scientific theory. This thesis approaches anarchist organisation in practical and revolutionary terms. Its theme is Kropotkin's conception of the relationship between the end of anarchy and the process of anarchist transformation. The thesis examines this relationship as a continuous theoretical development, questioning the existing interpretations of his thought which identify a revision of his ideas in his formulation of the theory of mutual aid. It finds that these interpretations of his work are mistaken and based on a misunderstanding of his use of Darwinian evolutionary theory. Rejecting the beliefs that Kropotkin's scientific anarchism is based either on a desire to prove the necessity of anarchy or to replace revolution with a process of gradual evolutionary reform, the thesis suggests that questions of strategy have a secondary importance in his work. Kropotkin's anarchism is directed toward securing moral behaviour by restructuring society. Rejecting the alleged discontinuity of his thought, the thesis acknowledges that there are differences between Kropotkin's early and late writings. In his early work, Kropotkin's understanding of anarchist organisation is based on a commitment to communism and on an expectation
anarchist organization scientific_theory approach anarchist organisation practical revolutionary term theme conception relationship end anarchy process anarchist transformation examines_relationship continuous theoretical development question exist interpretation think identify revision idea formulation theory mutual aid find interpretation work mistaken base misunderstanding use darwinian evolutionary_theory rejecting belief scientific anarchism base either desire prove necessity anarchy replace revolution process gradual evolutionary reform suggest question strategy secondary importance work anarchism direct toward secure moral behaviour restructuring society rejecting allege discontinuity thought acknowledge difference early_late writing early_work anarchist organisation base commitment communism expectation