Anarchism vs. Anarchocommunism

Attribute	Anarchism	Anarchocommunism
Definition	Political philosophy that advocates for stateless societies based on voluntary cooperation and mutual aid	Branch of anarchism that advocates for the abolition of private property and the establishment of a stateless, classless society based on common ownership of the means of production
Economic System	Varies, but often includes mutualism, collectivist anarchism, or individualist anarchism	Communist economy based on common ownership and democratic control of the means of production
Property Rights	May include private property or communal ownership, depending on the specific branch	Advocates for the abolition of private property in favor of common ownership
Organization	Decentralized, voluntary associations and communities	Organized into communes and federations based on principles of mutual aid and cooperation

Definition

Anarchism is a political philosophy that advocates for the abolition of hierarchical systems of power, such as the state and capitalism, in favor of a society based on voluntary cooperation and mutual aid. Anarchists believe in the decentralization of power and decision-making, with individuals and communities organizing themselves without the need for a central authority. Anarchocommunism, on the other hand, is a specific branch of anarchism that emphasizes the establishment of a communist society based on common ownership of the means of production and the abolition of private property.

Goals

Both anarchism and anarchocommunism share the goal of creating a stateless, classless society where individuals are free to live and work as they choose. However, anarchocommunists specifically aim to establish a society where resources are shared equally among all members, with production and distribution based on the principle of "from each according to their ability, to each according to their needs." Anarchists, in general, may have a broader range of goals, including the elimination of all forms of oppression and the creation of a more just and equitable world.

Organization

Anarchism and anarchocommunism differ in their approaches to organizing society. Anarchists believe in decentralized, non-hierarchical forms of organization, such as voluntary associations, cooperatives, and communes. Decision-making is typically done through consensus or direct democracy, with individuals participating in the governance of their communities. Anarchocommunists, on the other hand, advocate for the establishment of a communist society where resources are collectively owned and managed by the community as a whole.

Economics

One of the key distinctions between anarchism and anarchocommunism lies in their economic systems. Anarchists may support a variety of economic models, including mutualism, syndicalism, and collectivism, where individuals and groups own and control the means of production. Anarchocommunists, however, specifically advocate for the establishment of a communist society where resources are held in common and distributed according to need. This means that in an anarchocommunist society, there would be no private property or money, and all goods and services would be freely available to all members of the community.

Relationship to the State

Both anarchism and anarchocommunism reject the idea of a centralized state as a means of organizing society. Anarchists believe that the state is inherently oppressive and serves to uphold the interests of the ruling class, while anarchocommunists see the state as a tool of capitalist exploitation. Instead, both ideologies advocate for the abolition of the state and the establishment of a society based on voluntary cooperation and mutual aid. This means that individuals and communities would be free to govern themselves without the need for a central authority.

Historical Examples

Throughout history, there have been various examples of anarchist and anarchocommunist societies and movements. Anarchist communities have existed in places like Catalonia during the Spanish Civil War, where workers and peasants organized themselves into collectives and self-managed enterprises. Anarchocommunism has been associated with figures like Peter Kropotkin and the Paris Commune of 1871, where workers attempted to establish a communist society based on principles of mutual aid and solidarity. While these examples may not have achieved their ultimate goals, they serve as inspiration for contemporary anarchists and anarchocommunists.

Conclusion

In conclusion, anarchism and anarchocommunism share many similarities in their rejection of hierarchical systems of power and their vision of a stateless, classless society based on voluntary cooperation and mutual aid. However, anarchocommunism specifically emphasizes the establishment of a communist society where resources are shared equally among all members, while anarchism may encompass a broader range of economic and social models. Both ideologies advocate for the abolition of the state and the creation of a more just and equitable world, where individuals are free to live and work as they choose.