Level 58
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Political and Social Philosophy

Anarchism and Libertarian Political Thought

The tradition of political philosophy that questions the legitimacy of the state itself, tracing its development from classical philosophical anarchism through collectivist, communist, and syndicalist anarchism to Nozickian minimal-statism, anarcho-capitalism, and their expression in contemporary social movements.

60-Second Review

Express review

A condensed, point-by-point summary of the module, for reviewing right before a test or exam.

  1. Godwin and the Origins of Philosophical Anarchism. Godwin's 1793 Enquiry argued reason and human perfectibility make government unnecessary.
  2. Proudhon and the Critique of Property. Proudhon's 1840 "property is theft" launched mutualism and the self-chosen anarchist label.
  3. Bakunin, Kropotkin, and Collectivist/Communist Anarchism. Bakunin's collectivism and Kropotkin's communism built revolutionary, anti-Marxist anarchism.
  4. Anarcho-Syndicalism and Direct Action. Revolutionary unions pursued strikes and direct action to build a stateless worker order.
  5. Nozick's Minimal State and Libertarian Rights Theory. Nozick defended a night-watchman state through Lockean rights and entitlement justice.
  6. Anarcho-Capitalism: Rothbard and Market Anarchism. Rothbard fused Austrian economics and natural rights into a fully stateless market order.
  7. Critiques of State Legitimacy and Political Obligation. Philosophers such as Wolff and Simmons questioned whether any state truly binds its citizens.
  8. Anarchist and Libertarian Thought in Contemporary Movements. Anarchist and libertarian ideas persist today in electoral politics and grassroots movements.

This module continues after "Critical Theory and the Frankfurt School" in the syllabus. If you haven't reviewed it yet, it may help set the context.

Key points

Visual module map

1Godwin and the Origins of Philosophical Anarchism
2Bakunin, Kropotkin, and Collectivist/Communist Anarchism
3Nozick's Minimal State and Libertarian Rights Theory
4Anarcho-Capitalism: Rothbard and Market Anarchism
5Anarchist and Libertarian Thought in Contemporary Movements

Alternative visual view: a simplified sequence of some of the module's key points, in their order within the syllabus.

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Final test

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Optional mini-games

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Review Flashcards

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Memory

Match each concept with its definition in as few attempts as possible.

Time Attack

Answer true or false statements before time runs out.

Chronological Order

Put the module's key points back in their original order.

Further reading

Bibliography and cited sources used to create this module.

  • Godwin, W. (1793). An Enquiry Concerning Political Justice. London: G.G.J. and J. Robinson.
  • Proudhon, P.-J. (1840). What Is Property? An Inquiry into the Principle of Right and of Government. Paris: J.-F. Brocard.
  • Kropotkin, P. (1902). Mutual Aid: A Factor of Evolution. London: William Heinemann.
  • Nozick, R. (1974). Anarchy, State, and Utopia. New York: Basic Books.
  • Rothbard, M.N. (1973). For a New Liberty: The Libertarian Manifesto. New York: Macmillan.
  • Woodcock, G. (1962). Anarchism: A History of Libertarian Ideas and Movements. Cleveland: World Publishing.