Single Idea 20487

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

Full Idea

As the anarchist picture of society becomes increasingly realistic and less utopian, it also becomes increasingly difficult to tell it apart from a liberal democratic state.

Gist of Idea

A realistic and less utopian anarchism looks increasingly like liberal democracy

Source

Jonathan Wolff (An Introduction to Political Philosophy (Rev) [2006], 1 'Anarchism')

Book Reference

Wolff,Jonathan: 'An Introduction to Political Philosophy (Rev)' [OUP 2006], p.31


A Reaction

Nice challenge to anarchism, which is clear in what it opposes, but isn't much of a political philosophy if it doesn't have positive aspirations. Anarchists may hope that people will beautifully co-operate, but what if they re-form the state to do it?