303

I'm politically agnostic and have moved from a slightly conservative stance to a vastly more progressive stance (european). i still dont get the more niche things like tankies and anarchists at this point but I would like to, without spending 10 hours reading endless manifests (which do have merit, no doubt, but still).

Can someone explain to me why anarchy isnt the guy (or gal, or gang, or entity) with the bigger stick making the rules?

(page 3) 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] prayer@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 years ago

The world itself is anarchistic. Each counties has its rules but international politics have no governing body (the UN doesn't really rule over every state, just serve to mediate discussion). The country with the biggest stick would probably be the US, but they haven't conquered Canada or Mexico, let alone everyone else. Other players like Russia or China have influence too.

While the US does have a lot of soft power in influencing nations, they certainly aren't making the rules for other countries and puppeting them.

load more comments (3 replies)
[-] Chainweasel@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago

That's why anarchy isn't stable, it's a state between governments but eventually some kind of rule will emerge, and you're correct in that "bigger stick" is likely to be the first.

[-] CanadaPlus@futurology.today 3 points 2 years ago

Generally, it's envisioned as being a lot like now, but with no classes, and people making and remaking the rules on the fly rather than having set laws and set authorities. No laws, no government, but not no rules.

load more comments (3 replies)
[-] hottari@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 years ago

We have a better word for that. Dictatorship.

[-] Hyperreality@kbin.social 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

I feel this is relevant:

...proponents of communism have postulated that within the new society of pure communism and the social conditions therein, a New Man and New Woman would develop with qualities reflecting surrounding circumstances of post-scarcity and unprecedented scientific developmen ... Among the major traits of a new Soviet man was selfless collectivism. The selfless new man was willing to sacrifice his life for good causes ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Soviet_man#Selflessness

Of course, arguably the soviet project failed to this new man, so much so that 'homo Sovieticus' is now a pejorative:

Homo Sovieticus (cod Latin for 'Soviet Man') is a pejorative term coined to describe the average conformist individual in the Soviet Union and other Eastern Bloc countries. Popularized by Soviet writer Aleksandr Zinovyev, it gained negative connotations and represented the perceived outcome of Soviet policies. ... Homo Sovieticus (cod Latin for 'Soviet Man') is a pejorative term coined to describe the average conformist individual in the Soviet Union and other Eastern Bloc countries. ... Characteristics of Homo Sovieticus included indifference to work results, lack of initiative, indifference to common property, chauvinism, obedience to government, and a tendency to drink heavily. ... traits like indifference, theft, lack of initiative, and submission to authority ... Some argued that the disappointment of intellectuals in the Soviet project had negative consequences, contributing to elitism and an anti-populist stance.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homo_Sovieticus

[-] haui_lemmy@lemmy.giftedmc.com 2 points 2 years ago

Although this is definitely interesting, I dont see yet how it is relevant to anarchy. Feel free to elaborate.

[-] Hyperreality@kbin.social 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

In theory, if everyone has become selfless, there is no need for a man with a stick to create the rules or ensure compliance. No one will want to use a stick to push through rules which are to their advantage. People will simply cooperate with each other or help each other willingly where necessary.

Think of a group of friends or adult family, where people help each other and cooperate willingly, because they love each other. Hopefully you don't need to threaten your partner to do their share of the household tasks. You do it because you want your relationship to succeed and want to support each other.

The USSR tried to create this new man with a stick, propaganda and indoctrination during the dictatorship of the proletariat phase. They never achieved fully realized communism, where everyone willing works to the best of their ability and helps their commune succeed and the commune of communes that is a truly communist society succeed.

Smaller anarchist communes and experiments will try to do this organically. Everyone chooses to try to do their best and help the rest of the commune. It sounds pie in the sky, but it's not unlike what volunteer groups do. People believe in a common cause, and freely volunteer their time, because they believe in their shared goal, and enjoy working together.

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] bigboismith@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

Anarchy is generally assumes that people will naturally cooperate without arbitrary distinctions. In practice most anarchists are mostly anti centralization. The smaller the political entities are the better (singular persons if you take it to the extremes).

[-] TigrisMorte@kbin.social 2 points 2 years ago

Imaginary utopias remain imaginary. Anarchy is whomever is willing to brutalize others the most rules until someone worse comes along.

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments
view more: ‹ prev next ›
this post was submitted on 12 Jan 2024
303 points (100.0% liked)

Asklemmy

50788 readers
671 users here now

A loosely moderated place to ask open-ended questions

Search asklemmy 🔍

If your post meets the following criteria, it's welcome here!

  1. Open-ended question
  2. Not offensive: at this point, we do not have the bandwidth to moderate overtly political discussions. Assume best intent and be excellent to each other.
  3. Not regarding using or support for Lemmy: context, see the list of support communities and tools for finding communities below
  4. Not ad nauseam inducing: please make sure it is a question that would be new to most members
  5. An actual topic of discussion

Looking for support?

Looking for a community?

~Icon~ ~by~ ~@Double_A@discuss.tchncs.de~

founded 6 years ago
MODERATORS