I find the common talking point that anarchists assume everyone is as nice as them strange. I'm a pessimist who has learned from numerous horrific life experiences that people can treat each other terribly and that's exactly why nobody should be given vast amounts of power over others. - ThreadSky

anarchozoe.bsky.social • 2 days ago

I find the common talking point that anarchists assume everyone is as nice as them strange. I'm a pessimist who has learned from numerous horrific life experiences that people can treat each other terribly and that's exactly why nobody should be given vast amounts of power over others.

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ilbassfisherman.bsky.social•2 days ago

When the system of checks and balances and accountability through the legal system fails you end up where we are at today.

rowinpoe.bsky.social•2 days ago

It often takes being severely abused, to recognize that power disparity and exploitation within culture, and species.

We could unite, right now.

Will we?

#PetitionForParity 🌏

🏳️‍🌈 Unite under the banner of sustainable parity for all life 🧬💯, removing nonconsensual imbalances of power dynamics.✊

labsp61.bsky.social•2 days ago

Correct and why Americans cannot be trusted with Libertarianism...they are all too fucking selfish and self-centered and instantly infringe on other peoples' lives

col-do-ma-ma-daqua.bsky.social•2 days ago

Yes, pretty much. This.

littlekinglet.bsky.social•2 days ago

Exactly

snartkety.bsky.social•2 days ago

I think the issue is less about the giving of power and more about the inevitable taking of power when some asshole sees the opportunity.

nonzerosumjames.bsky.social•2 days ago

Yes, I find this worrying, an assumption that everyone is as well-meaning as oneself seems a recipe for promoting a system that is highly vulnerable to exploitation. On that note, can you explain how anarchism doesn’t fall into the same traps as a purely libertarian system would?

redboys.bsky.social•2 days ago

Do your own reading…

col-do-ma-ma-daqua.bsky.social•2 days ago

Read up on mutual aid, and the history of anarchism. https://libcom.org has good resources. I'm sorry it's not a thing that can be summarized in a tweet. You could also watch or listen Andrewism's videos on YouTube.

c0nfluence.bsky.social•2 days ago

Anarchism is “purely libertarian.” I think it was Murray Rothbard who thought it would be a good idea to rebrand his system of extreme capitalist coercion “libertarianism” and it unfortunately stuck here in the U.S.

jgraydingler.bsky.social•2 days ago

That's what I wanted to know when someone I knew said we should abolish schools.

I got a sci-fi book recommendation where the anarchist society seems to have schools. Also the main character's people keep repeating anarchist dogma until he's driven into the arms of the nightmare capitalist world.

travish808.bsky.social•2 days ago

I agree, but if your plan requires no opposition, then it’s incomplete. “Oh no, our leaders were all sent to concentration camps with polls showing almost everyone hates us because as soon as we became a threat, the state used billions of dollars worth of tech, manpower, and propaganda!” 😭

thegreytheanvoid.bsky.social•2 days ago

And, what’s weird is that those same people then turn around and rely on the tired old “human nature” argument as an excuse to justify power hierarchies.

momakhno.bsky.social•2 days ago

Nailed it

peisithanatosis.bsky.social•2 days ago

¿Quién iba a decir que los moderadores de alasbrricadas me iban a modificar varios posts sólo porque uso autores que odian?

reptiledude.bsky.social•2 days ago

Okay but Anarchists argue that other people *shouldn’t* be given powers over others. That’s their schtick and why I relate to anarchism. Anyway, humans are animals, they’re capable of being really shitty or really good, even both at the same time. That’s something most other philosophies ignore.

reptiledude.bsky.social•2 days ago

Most political philosophies seem to rely on some kind of central guidance to human nature that is inherently good because it is based in on some misguided thought that enlightened individuals can guide nature because nature itself is based on some kind of order and that’s 1500 years out of date.

chainmailedheart.bsky.social•2 days ago

There's a portion of the population really wired to not care about others

A subset of those enjoy hurting others.
They tend to rack up victims.

There's a lot more who adopt a similar strategy because our society rewards callous, cruel, selfish behavior.

Just noting.

rooskie81.bsky.social•2 days ago

We're all capable of bad stuff, and that's something worth considering. It's also worth considering that we're almost exclusively observing humanity from within the system of capitalism. Who knows how things would change once we're competing less and people's basic needs are met.

sovereignbeast.bsky.social•2 days ago

my pet theory is that most people know they're engaging with anarchism in bad faith when they make arguments like that, but they do it anyway because it means they don't have to actually think about their position, they can just throw out their default arguments and refuse to engage further.

yungmick.bsky.social•2 days ago

Yeah pretty much, I hate to agree but I think that's the case

the-misanthrope.bsky.social•2 days ago

I assume most people are *capable* of the worst and that it's due to their material conditions + growing up propagandized both by capitalism, but I also think anybody can be radicalized into working through those negative traits, yet it is never a given they are/would, not even among Anarchists.

ik-labs.bsky.social•2 days ago

Libertarianism: people are rational. [disapproving gameshow buzzer]

Socialism: people are altruistic. [disapproving gameshow buzzer]

sdelorian.bsky.social•2 days ago

That's not what socialists say about socialism. We say that human beings deserve an equal share of what they've worked for, and to achieve that we need a government that enforces protections for workers. We need regulations to keep people safe, fed, and able to enjoy thier life.

durruticalm.bsky.social•2 days ago

I don't trust a state apparatus precisely because people are not angels

theblackdarkman.bsky.social•2 days ago

How does one enforce anarchy? What's stopping people from just grouping up and creating new, malevolent institutions that cascade into new forms or government?

homies.baby•2 days ago

Anarchists think they’re nice?

chainmailedheart.bsky.social•2 days ago

A majority of them are really kind and empathetic people.
Not all.

homies.baby•1 day ago

So they don’t think they’re nice?

chainmailedheart.bsky.social•1 day ago

Nice, no.
It's not "nice" to go against authority in an authoritarian society.

But I sort of look at "nice" as including "not challenging the structure."
So that may be a bit idiosyncratic of me.

irishfabian.bsky.social•2 days ago

I will keep it secular here. I assume and know most people have a potential dictator in them. Power must be dissolved. That is why anarchism is the best. I would accept some form of liberal socialism as a mid way.

aloemancer.bsky.social•2 days ago

Know you've already read this but for those who haven't:

https://youtu.be/t2Al-ivn074?si=tiXXfdNDFTv9L4M2

ninefates.bsky.social•2 days ago

Once again: the primary risk factor of any social system is the people within it.
The point is not to foster the perfect governmental/social contract, but instead to raise educated, well-intentioned people who strive to better each other.
All systems fall under the weight of its citizens.

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