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Single Idea 24436

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 2. Anarchism]

Full Idea

In rejecting government, the true anarchist does not reject the idea or the fact of society; on the contrary, his view of the need for society as a living entity becomes intensified when he contemplates the abolition of government.

Gist of Idea

True anarchists accept society, which is more important without a government

Source

George Woodcock (Anarchism: A Historical Introduction [1977], 1)

A Reaction

Presumably drop-out anarchists are 'false' anarchists. The idea sounds right, in the sense that if you wanted any of the benefits of society, like schools and roads, you must create them yourself. Poor areas suffer if there is no central funding?

Book Reference

'The Anarchist Reader', ed/tr. Woodcock,George [Fontana 1978], p.11