Ideas from 'Anarchism: A Historical Introduction' by George Woodcock [1977], by Theme Structure

[found in 'The Anarchist Reader' (ed/tr Woodcock,George) [Fontana 1978,0-00-634011-3]].

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24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 1. A People / b. The natural life
For anarchists people may not be naturally good, but they are social
                        Full Idea: The anarchists believe …that man may not be naturally good, but he is naturally social.
                        From: George Woodcock (Anarchism: A Historical Introduction [1977], 1)
                        A reaction: A nice point, and a good response to the objection that anarchism is contradictory - believing men can live well together because they are good, but bad because power corrupts them. Virtually all people are social.
24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 2. Anarchism
True anarchists accept society, which is more important without a government
                        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.
                        From: 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?
24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / d. Representative democracy
For large area issues anarchists prefer short-term delegates, not representatives
                        Full Idea: Where issues affect large areas, the anarchist preference is to appoint assemblies of delegates rather than representatives, chosen for short periods, and subject to recall.
                        From: George Woodcock (Anarchism: A Historical Introduction [1977], 1)
                        A reaction: A large number of UK MPs seem to become very detached from the interests and beliefs of their constituents, which makes this idea quite appealing. If we could instantly 'recall' our MP. Specialists could be chosen for specific issues.