FROM SOCIALISM TO ANARCHY
SOCIALISM – A political and economic theory of social organization advocating state ownership and control of natural resources and commercial activities
The Laissez-Faire system failed to eliminate the suffering of the peasants and lower working classes, and was in many cases blamed for increasing it. This led many to believe that government intervention was necessary to stop the abuses of industrialization. This led to theories about ideal communities , and in some cases their creation. These were later called Utopias (More) by Marx who felt that they were idealistic and could not come to be without revolution
UTOPIAN SOCIALISTS
Claude Henri Saint-Simon (1760-1825) – property corrupts people, salvation through cooperative communities. These communities would be led by captains of industry who amalgamated technological and scientific knowledge. New social hierarchy. No inheritance, rise on own merits. Public ownership of industry.
Charles Fourier (1772-1837) – envisioned ideal communities of 1500 people. Self sufficiency, common ownership, formal system of product distribution, limited private property, reward for tougher jobs. None formed in France, one in
Massachusetts, Brook farm 1842 – 1847 disbanded
Robert Owen (1771-1858) –self made successful businessman & environmentalist – believed that happy workers = good workers – limited hours, schools, health care, affordable housing, profit sharing. Minimal profit at New Lanark – wanted ideal setting, New Harmony, Indiana failed – established cooperative factories
(Father of Socialism)
ANARCHISM
Belief in the abolishment of government
Pierre-Joseph Proudhon (1809-1865) – believed that all systems of government suppressed the poor. Society can not be transformed in accordance with a preconceived plan. Ideal anarchic society people would act in responsible, ethical manner (Father of Anarchy)
Mikhail Bakunin (1814-1876) – people inherently good, corrupted by government – an inevitable negation of people’s liberty. State should be replaced by relationships based on contracts & regional associations. Natural law alone consistent with liberty. Opposed Marx – believed that proletariat would be authoritarian
Nihilism – closely related – overthrow state, against social order – no authority