第2章　

PREFACE

Sometwenty-oneyearsagoIheardthefirstgreatAnarchistspeaker——theinimitableJohnMost。Itseemedtomethen，andformanyyearsafter，thatthespokenwordhurledforthamongthemasseswithsuchwonderfuleloquence，suchenthusiasmandfire，couldneverbeerasedfromthehumanmindandsoul。HowcouldanyoneofallthemultitudeswhoflockedtoMost’smeetingsescapehispropheticvoice！

Surelytheyhadbuttohearhimtothrowofftheiroldbeliefs，andseethetruthandbeautyofAnarchism！

MyonegreatlongingthenwastobeabletospeakwiththetongueofJohnMost，——thatI，too，mightthusreachthemasses。Oh，forthenaivetyofYouth’senthusiasm！Itisthetimewhenthehardestthingseemsbutchild’splay。Itistheonlyperiodinlifeworthwhile。

Alas！Thisperiodisbutofshortduration。LikeSpring，theSTURM

UNDDRANGperiodofthepropagandistbringsforthgrowth，frailanddelicate，tobematuredorkilledaccordingtoitspowersofresistanceagainstathousandvicissitudes。

Mygreatfaithinthewonderworker，thespokenword，isnomore。I

haverealizeditsinadequacytoawakenthought，orevenemotion。

Gradually，andwithnosmallstruggleagainstthisrealization，I

cametoseethatoralpropagandaisatbestbutameansofshakingpeoplefromtheirlethargy:itleavesnolastingimpression。Theveryfactthatmostpeopleattendmeetingsonlyifarousedbynewspapersensations，orbecausetheyexpecttobeamused，isproofthattheyreallyhavenoinnerurgetolearn。

Itisaltogetherdifferentwiththewrittenmodeofhumanexpression。

Noone，unlessintenselyinterestedinprogressiveideas，willbotherwithseriousbooks。Thatleadsmetoanotherdiscoverymadeaftermanyyearsofpublicactivity。Itisthis:Allclaimsofeducationnotwithstanding，thepupilwillacceptonlythatwhichhismindcraves。Alreadythistruthisrecognizedbymostmoderneducatorsinrelationtotheimmaturemind。Ithinkitisequallytrueregardingtheadult。Anarchistsorrevolutionistscannomorebemadethanmusicians。Allthatcanbedoneistoplanttheseedsofthought。

Whethersomethingvitalwilldevelopdependslargelyonthefertilityofthehumansoil，thoughthequalityoftheintellectualseedmustnotbeoverlooked。

Inmeetingstheaudienceisdistractedbyathousandnon-essentials。

Thespeaker，thougheversoeloquent，cannotescapetherestlessnessofthecrowd，withtheinevitableresultthathewillfailtostrikeroot。Inallprobabilityhewillnotevendojusticetohimself。

Therelationbetweenthewriterandthereaderismoreintimate。

True，booksareonlywhatwewantthemtobe；rather，whatwereadintothem。Thatwecandosodemonstratestheimportanceofwrittenasagainstoralexpression。Itisthiscertaintywhichhasinducedmetogatherinonevolumemyideasonvarioustopicsofindividualandsocialimportance。Theyrepresentthementalandsoulstrugglesoftwenty-oneyears，——theconclusionsderivedaftermanychangesandinnerrevisions。

Iamnotsanguineenoughtohopethatmyreaderswillbeasnumerousasthosewhohaveheardme。ButIprefertoreachthefewwhoreallywanttolearn，ratherthanthemanywhocometobeamused。

Astothebook，itmustspeakforitself。Explanatoryremarksdobutdetractfromtheideassetforth。However，Iwishtoforestalltwoobjectionswhichwillundoubtedlyberaised。OneisinreferencetotheessayonANARCHISM；theother，onMINORITIESVERSUSMAJORITIES。

"WhydoyounotsayhowthingswillbeoperatedunderAnarchism？"isaquestionIhavehadtomeetthousandsoftimes。BecauseIbelievethatAnarchismcannotconsistentlyimposeaniron-cladprogramormethodonthefuture。Thethingseverynewgenerationhastofight，andwhichitcanleastovercome，aretheburdensofthepast，whichholdsusallasinanet。Anarchism，atleastasIunderstandit，leavesposterityfreetodevelopitsownparticularsystems，inharmonywithitsneeds。Ourmostvividimaginationcannotforeseethepotentialitiesofaracesetfreefromexternalrestraints。

How，then，cananyoneassumetomapoutalineofconductforthosetocome？We，whopaydearlyforeverybreathofpure，freshair，mustguardagainstthetendencytofetterthefuture。Ifwesucceedinclearingthesoilfromtherubbishofthepastandpresent，wewillleavetoposteritythegreatestandsafestheritageofallages。

Themostdishearteningtendencycommonamongreadersistotearoutonesentencefromawork，asacriterionofthewriter’sideasorpersonality。FriedrichNietzsche，forinstance，isdecriedasahateroftheweakbecausehebelievedintheUEBERMENSCH。ItdoesnotoccurtotheshallowinterpretersofthatgiantmindthatthisvisionoftheUEBERMENSCHalsocalledforastateofsocietywhichwillnotgivebirthtoaraceofweaklingsandslaves。

ItisthesamenarrowattitudewhichseesinMaxStirnernaughtbuttheapostleofthetheory"eachforhimself，thedeviltakethehindone。"ThatStirner’sindividualismcontainsthegreatestsocialpossibilitiesisutterlyignored。Yet，itisneverthelesstruethatifsocietyisevertobecomefree，itwillbesothroughliberatedindividuals，whosefreeeffortsmakesociety。

TheseexamplesbringmetotheobjectionthatwillberaisedtoMINORITIESVERSUSMAJORITIES。Nodoubt，Ishallbeexcommunicatedasanenemyofthepeople，becauseIrepudiatethemassasacreativefactor。Ishallpreferthatratherthanbeguiltyofthedemagogicplatitudessocommonlyinvogueasabaitforthepeople。Irealizethemaladyoftheoppressedanddisinheritedmassesonlytoowell，butIrefusetoprescribetheusualridiculouspalliativeswhichallowthepatientneithertodienortorecover。Onecannotbetooextremeindealingwithsocialills；besides，theextremethingisgenerallythetruething。Mylackoffaithinthemajorityisdictatedbymyfaithinthepotentialitiesoftheindividual。Onlywhenthelatterbecomesfreetochoosehisassociatesforacommonpurpose，canwehopefororderandharmonyoutofthisworldofchaosandinequality。

Fortherest，mybookmustspeakforitself。

EmmaGoldmanANARCHISM:WHATITREALLYSTANDSFOR

ANARCHY。

Everreviled，accursed，ne’erunderstood，Thouartthegrislyterrorofourage。

"Wreckofallorder，"crythemultitude，"Artthou，andwarandmurder’sendlessrage。"

O，letthemcry。Tothemthatne’erhavestrivenThetruththatliesbehindawordtofind，Tothemtheword’srightmeaningwasnotgiven。

Theyshallcontinueblindamongtheblind。

Butthou，Oword，soclear，sostrong，sopure，ThousayestallwhichIforgoalhavetaken。

Igivetheetothefuture！ThinesecureWheneachatleastuntohimselfshallwaken。

Comesitinsunshine？Inthetempest’sthrill？

Icannottell——butittheearthshallsee！

IamanAnarchist！WhereforeIwillNotrule，andalsoruledIwillnotbe！

JOHNHENRYMACKAY。

Thehistoryofhumangrowthanddevelopmentisatthesametimethehistoryoftheterriblestruggleofeverynewideaheraldingtheapproachofabrighterdawn。Initstenaciousholdontradition，theOldhasneverhesitatedtomakeuseofthefoulestandcruelestmeanstostaytheadventoftheNew，inwhateverformorperiodthelattermayhaveasserteditself。Norneedweretraceourstepsintothedistantpasttorealizetheenormityofopposition，difficulties，andhardshipsplacedinthepathofeveryprogressiveidea。Therack，thethumbscrew，andtheknoutarestillwithus；soaretheconvict’sgarbandthesocialwrath，allconspiringagainstthespiritthatisserenelymarchingon。

Anarchismcouldnothopetoescapethefateofallotherideasofinnovation。Indeed，asthemostrevolutionaryanduncompromisinginnovator，Anarchismmustneedsmeetwiththecombinedignoranceandvenomoftheworlditaimstoreconstruct。

TodealevenremotelywithallthatisbeingsaidanddoneagainstAnarchismwouldnecessitatethewritingofawholevolume。Ishallthereforemeetonlytwooftheprincipalobjections。Insodoing，I

shallattempttoelucidatewhatAnarchismreallystandsfor。

ThestrangephenomenonoftheoppositiontoAnarchismisthatitbringstolighttherelationbetweenso-calledintelligenceandignorance。Andyetthisisnotsoverystrangewhenweconsidertherelativityofallthings。Theignorantmasshasinitsfavorthatitmakesnopretenseofknowledgeortolerance。Acting，asitalwaysdoes，bymereimpulse，itsreasonsarelikethoseofachild。

"Why？""Because。"YettheoppositionoftheuneducatedtoAnarchismdeservesthesameconsiderationasthatoftheintelligentman。

What，then，aretheobjections？First，Anarchismisimpractical，thoughabeautifulideal。Second，Anarchismstandsforviolenceanddestruction，henceitmustberepudiatedasvileanddangerous。

Boththeintelligentmanandtheignorantmassjudgenotfromathoroughknowledgeofthesubject，buteitherfromhearsayorfalseinterpretation。

Apracticalscheme，saysOscarWilde，iseitheronealreadyinexistence，oraschemethatcouldbecarriedoutundertheexistingconditions；butitisexactlytheexistingconditionsthatoneobjectsto，andanyschemethatcouldaccepttheseconditionsiswrongandfoolish。Thetruecriterionofthepractical，therefore，isnotwhetherthelattercankeepintactthewrongorfoolish；

ratherisitwhethertheschemehasvitalityenoughtoleavethestagnantwatersoftheold，andbuild，aswellassustain，newlife。

Inthelightofthisconception，Anarchismisindeedpractical。

Morethananyotheridea，itishelpingtodoawaywiththewrongandfoolish；morethananyotheridea，itisbuildingandsustainingnewlife。

Theemotionsoftheignorantmanarecontinuouslykeptatapitchbythemostblood-curdlingstoriesaboutAnarchism。Notathingtoooutrageoustobeemployedagainstthisphilosophyanditsexponents。

ThereforeAnarchismrepresentstotheunthinkingwhattheproverbialbadmandoestothechild，——ablackmonsterbentonswallowingeverything；inshort，destructionandviolence。

Destructionandviolence！Howistheordinarymantoknowthatthemostviolentelementinsocietyisignorance；thatitspowerofdestructionistheverythingAnarchismiscombating？NorisheawarethatAnarchism，whoseroots，asitwere，arepartofnature’sforces，destroys，nothealthfultissue，butparasiticgrowthsthatfeedonthelife’sessenceofsociety。Itismerelyclearingthesoilfromweedsandsagebrush，thatitmayeventuallybearhealthyfruit。

Someonehassaidthatitrequireslessmentalefforttocondemnthantothink。Thewidespreadmentalindolence，soprevalentinsociety，provesthistobeonlytootrue。Ratherthantogotothebottomofanygivenidea，toexamineintoitsoriginandmeaning，mostpeoplewilleithercondemnitaltogether，orrelyonsomesuperficialorprejudicialdefinitionofnon-essentials。

Anarchismurgesmantothink，toinvestigate，toanalyzeeveryproposition；butthatthebraincapacityoftheaveragereaderbenottaxedtoomuch，Ialsoshallbeginwithadefinition，andthenelaborateonthelatter。

ANARCHISM:——Thephilosophyofanewsocialorderbasedonlibertyunrestrictedbyman-madelaw；thetheorythatallformsofgovernmentrestonviolence，andarethereforewrongandharmful，aswellasunnecessary。

Thenewsocialorderrests，ofcourse，onthematerialisticbasisoflife；butwhileallAnarchistsagreethatthemaineviltodayisaneconomicone，theymaintainthatthesolutionofthatevilcanbebroughtaboutonlythroughtheconsiderationofEVERYPHASEoflife，——individual，aswellasthecollective；theinternal，aswellastheexternalphases。

Athoroughperusalofthehistoryofhumandevelopmentwilldisclosetwoelementsinbitterconflictwitheachother；elementsthatareonlynowbeginningtobeunderstood，notasforeigntoeachother，butascloselyrelatedandtrulyharmonious，ifonlyplacedinproperenvironment:theindividualandsocialinstincts。Theindividualandsocietyhavewagedarelentlessandbloodybattleforages，eachstrivingforsupremacy，becauseeachwasblindtothevalueandimportanceoftheother。Theindividualandsocialinstincts，——theoneamostpotentfactorforindividualendeavor，forgrowth，aspiration，self-realization；theotheranequallypotentfactorformutualhelpfulnessandsocialwell-being。

Theexplanationofthestormragingwithintheindividual，andbetweenhimandhissurroundings，isnotfartoseek。Theprimitiveman，unabletounderstandhisbeing，muchlesstheunityofalllife，felthimselfabsolutelydependentonblind，hiddenforceseverreadytomockandtaunthim。Outofthatattitudegrewthereligiousconceptsofmanasamerespeckofdustdependentonsuperiorpowersonhigh，whocanonlybeappeasedbycompletesurrender。Alltheearlysagasrestonthatidea，whichcontinuestobetheLEIT-MOTIF

ofthebiblicaltalesdealingwiththerelationofmantoGod，totheState，tosociety。Againandagainthesamemotif，MANISNOTHING，THEPOWERSAREEVERYTHING。ThusJehovahwouldonlyenduremanonconditionofcompletesurrender。Mancanhaveallthegloriesoftheearth，buthemustnotbecomeconsciousofhimself。TheState，society，andmorallawsallsingthesamerefrain:Mancanhaveallthegloriesoftheearth，buthemustnotbecomeconsciousofhimself。

Anarchismistheonlyphilosophywhichbringstomantheconsciousnessofhimself；whichmaintainsthatGod，theState，andsocietyarenon-existent，thattheirpromisesarenullandvoid，sincetheycanbefulfilledonlythroughman’ssubordination。

Anarchismisthereforetheteacheroftheunityoflife；notmerelyinnature，butinman。Thereisnoconflictbetweentheindividualandthesocialinstincts，anymorethanthereisbetweentheheartandthelungs:theonethereceptacleofapreciouslifeessence，theothertherepositoryoftheelementthatkeepstheessencepureandstrong。Theindividualistheheartofsociety，conservingtheessenceofsociallife；societyisthelungswhicharedistributingtheelementtokeepthelifeessence——thatis，theindividual——pureandstrong。

"Theonethingofvalueintheworld，"saysEmerson，"istheactivesoul；thiseverymancontainswithinhim。Thesoulactiveseesabsolutetruthandutterstruthandcreates。"Inotherwords，theindividualinstinctisthethingofvalueintheworld。Itisthetruesoulthatseesandcreatesthetruthalive，outofwhichistocomeastillgreatertruth，there-bornsocialsoul。

Anarchismisthegreatliberatorofmanfromthephantomsthathaveheldhimcaptive；itisthearbiterandpacifierofthetwoforcesforindividualandsocialharmony。Toaccomplishthatunity，Anarchismhasdeclaredwarontheperniciousinfluenceswhichhavesofarpreventedtheharmoniousblendingofindividualandsocialinstincts，theindividualandsociety。

Religion，thedominionofthehumanmind；Property，thedominionofhumanneeds；andGovernment，thedominionofhumanconduct，representthestrongholdofman’senslavementandallthehorrorsitentails。

Religion！Howitdominatesman’smind，howithumiliatesanddegradeshissoul。Godiseverything，manisnothing，saysreligion。ButoutofthatnothingGodhascreatedakingdomsodespotic，sotyrannical，socruel，soterriblyexactingthatnaughtbutgloomandtearsandbloodhaveruledtheworldsincegodsbegan。Anarchismrousesmantorebellionagainstthisblackmonster。Breakyourmentalfetters，saysAnarchismtoman，fornotuntilyouthinkandjudgeforyourselfwillyougetridofthedominionofdarkness，thegreatestobstacletoallprogress。

Property，thedominionofman’sneeds，thedenialoftherighttosatisfyhisneeds。Timewaswhenpropertyclaimedadivineright，whenitcametomanwiththesamerefrain，evenasreligion，"Sacrifice！Abnegate！Submit！"ThespiritofAnarchismhasliftedmanfromhisprostrateposition。Henowstandserect，withhisfacetowardthelight。Hehaslearnedtoseetheinsatiable，devouring，devastatingnatureofproperty，andheispreparingtostrikethemonsterdead。

"Propertyisrobbery，"saidthegreatFrenchAnarchist，Proudhon。

Yes，butwithoutriskanddangertotherobber。Monopolizingtheaccumulatedeffortsofman，propertyhasrobbedhimofhisbirthright，andhasturnedhimlooseapauperandanoutcast。

Propertyhasnoteventhetime-wornexcusethatmandoesnotcreateenoughtosatisfyallneeds。TheABCstudentofeconomicsknowsthattheproductivityoflaborwithinthelastfewdecadesfarexceedsnormaldemandahundredfold。Butwhatarenormaldemandstoanabnormalinstitution？Theonlydemandthatpropertyrecognizesisitsowngluttonousappetiteforgreaterwealth，becausewealthmeanspower；thepowertosubdue，tocrush，toexploit，thepowertoenslave，tooutrage，todegrade。Americaisparticularlyboastfulofhergreatpower，herenormousnationalwealth。PoorAmerica，ofwhatavailisallherwealth，iftheindividualscomprisingthenationarewretchedlypoor？Iftheyliveinsqualor，infilth，incrime，withhopeandjoygone，ahomeless，soillessarmyofhumanprey。

Itisgenerallyconcededthatunlessthereturnsofanybusinessventureexceedthecost，bankruptcyisinevitable。Butthoseengagedinthebusinessofproducingwealthhavenotyetlearnedeventhissimplelesson。Everyyearthecostofproductioninhumanlifeisgrowinglarger(50，000killed，100，000woundedinAmericalastyear)；

thereturnstothemasses，whohelptocreatewealth，areevergettingsmaller。YetAmericacontinuestobeblindtotheinevitablebankruptcyofourbusinessofproduction。Noristhistheonlycrimeofthelatter。Stillmorefatalisthecrimeofturningtheproducerintoamereparticleofamachine，withlesswillanddecisionthanhismasterofsteelandiron。Manisbeingrobbednotmerelyoftheproductsofhislabor，butofthepoweroffreeinitiative，oforiginality，andtheinterestin，ordesirefor，thethingsheismaking。

Realwealthconsistsinthingsofutilityandbeauty，inthingsthathelptocreatestrong，beautifulbodiesandsurroundingsinspiringtolivein。Butifmanisdoomedtowindcottonaroundaspool，ordigcoal，orbuildroadsforthirtyyearsofhislife，therecanbenotalkofwealth。Whathegivestotheworldisonlygrayandhideousthings，reflectingadullandhideousexistence，——tooweaktolive，toocowardlytodie。Strangetosay，therearepeoplewhoextolthisdeadeningmethodofcentralizedproductionastheproudestachievementofourage。Theyfailutterlytorealizethatifwearetocontinueinmachinesubserviency，ourslaveryismorecompletethanwasourbondagetotheKing。Theydonotwanttoknowthatcentralizationisnotonlythedeath-knellofliberty，butalsoofhealthandbeauty，ofartandscience，allthesebeingimpossibleinaclock-like，mechanicalatmosphere。

Anarchismcannotbutrepudiatesuchamethodofproduction:itsgoalisthefreestpossibleexpressionofallthelatentpowersoftheindividual。OscarWildedefinesaperfectpersonalityas"onewhodevelopsunderperfectconditions，whoisnotwounded，maimed，orindanger。"Aperfectpersonality，then，isonlypossibleinastateofsocietywheremanisfreetochoosethemodeofwork，theconditionsofwork，andthefreedomtowork。Onetowhomthemakingofatable，thebuildingofahouse，orthetillingofthesoil，iswhatthepaintingistotheartistandthediscoverytothescientist，——theresultofinspiration，ofintenselonging，anddeepinterestinworkasacreativeforce。ThatbeingtheidealofAnarchism，itseconomicarrangementsmustconsistofvoluntaryproductiveanddistributiveassociations，graduallydevelopingintofreecommunism，asthebestmeansofproducingwiththeleastwasteofhumanenergy。Anarchism，however，alsorecognizestherightoftheindividual，ornumbersofindividuals，toarrangeatalltimesforotherformsofwork，inharmonywiththeirtastesanddesires。

Suchfreedisplayofhumanenergybeingpossibleonlyundercompleteindividualandsocialfreedom，Anarchismdirectsitsforcesagainstthethirdandgreatestfoeofallsocialequality；namely，theState，organizedauthority，orstatutorylaw，——thedominionofhumanconduct。

Justasreligionhasfetteredthehumanmind，andasproperty，orthemonopolyofthings，hassubduedandstifledman’sneeds，sohastheStateenslavedhisspirit，dictatingeveryphaseofconduct。"Allgovernmentinessence，"saysEmerson，"istyranny。"Itmattersnotwhetheritisgovernmentbydivinerightormajorityrule。Ineveryinstanceitsaimistheabsolutesubordinationoftheindividual。

ReferringtotheAmericangovernment，thegreatestAmericanAnarchist，DavidThoreau，said:"Government，whatisitbutatradition，thougharecentone，endeavoringtotransmititselfunimpairedtoposterity，buteachinstancelosingitsintegrity；ithasnotthevitalityandforceofasinglelivingman。Lawnevermademanawhitmorejust；andbymeansoftheirrespectforit，eventhewelldisposedaredailymadeagentsofinjustice。"

Indeed，thekeynoteofgovernmentisinjustice。Withthearroganceandself-sufficiencyoftheKingwhocoulddonowrong，governmentsordain，judge，condemn，andpunishthemostinsignificantoffenses，whilemaintainingthemselvesbythegreatestofalloffenses，theannihilationofindividualliberty。ThusOuidaisrightwhenshemaintainsthat"theStateonlyaimsatinstillingthosequalitiesinitspublicbywhichitsdemandsareobeyed，anditsexchequerisfilled。Itshighestattainmentisthereductionofmankindtoclockwork。Initsatmosphereallthosefinerandmoredelicateliberties，whichrequiretreatmentandspaciousexpansion，inevitablydryupandperish。TheStaterequiresataxpayingmachineinwhichthereisnohitch，anexchequerinwhichthereisneveradeficit，andapublic，monotonous，obedient，colorless，spiritless，movinghumblylikeaflockofsheepalongastraighthighroadbetweentwowalls。"

YetevenaflockofsheepwouldresistthechicaneryoftheState，ifitwerenotforthecorruptive，tyrannical，andoppressivemethodsitemploystoserveitspurposes。ThereforeBakuninrepudiatestheStateassynonymouswiththesurrenderofthelibertyoftheindividualorsmallminorities，——thedestructionofsocialrelationship，thecurtailment，orcompletedenialeven，oflifeitself，foritsownaggrandizement。TheStateisthealtarofpoliticalfreedomand，likethereligiousaltar，itismaintainedforthepurposeofhumansacrifice。

Infact，thereishardlyamodernthinkerwhodoesnotagreethatgovernment，organizedauthority，ortheState，isnecessaryONLYtomaintainorprotectpropertyandmonopoly。Ithasprovenefficientinthatfunctiononly。

EvenGeorgeBernardShaw，whohopesforthemiraculousfromtheStateunderFabianism，neverthelessadmitsthat"itisatpresentahugemachineforrobbingandslave-drivingofthepoorbybruteforce。"

Thisbeingthecase，itishardtoseewhythecleverprefacerwishestoupholdtheStateafterpovertyshallhaveceasedtoexist。

Unfortunatelytherearestillanumberofpeoplewhocontinueinthefatalbeliefthatgovernmentrestsonnaturallaws，thatitmaintainssocialorderandharmony，thatitdiminishescrime，andthatitpreventsthelazymanfromfleecinghisfellows。Ishallthereforeexaminethesecontentions。

Anaturallawisthatfactorinmanwhichassertsitselffreelyandspontaneouslywithoutanyexternalforce，inharmonywiththerequirementsofnature。Forinstance，thedemandfornutrition，forsexgratification，forlight，air，andexercise，isanaturallaw。

Butitsexpressionneedsnotthemachineryofgovernment，needsnottheclub，thegun，thehandcuff，ortheprison。Toobeysuchlaws，ifwemaycallitobedience，requiresonlyspontaneityandfreeopportunity。Thatgovernmentsdonotmaintainthemselvesthroughsuchharmoniousfactorsisprovenbytheterriblearrayofviolence，force，andcoercionallgovernmentsuseinordertolive。ThusBlackstoneisrightwhenhesays，"Humanlawsareinvalid，becausetheyarecontrarytothelawsofnature。"

UnlessitbetheorderofWarsawaftertheslaughterofthousandsofpeople，itisdifficulttoascribetogovernmentsanycapacityfororderorsocialharmony。Orderderivedthroughsubmissionandmaintainedbyterrorisnotmuchofasafeguaranty；yetthatistheonly"order"thatgovernmentshaveevermaintained。Truesocialharmonygrowsnaturallyoutofsolidarityofinterests。Inasocietywherethosewhoalwaysworkneverhaveanything，whilethosewhoneverworkenjoyeverything，solidarityofinterestsisnon-existent；

hencesocialharmonyisbutamyth。Theonlywayorganizedauthoritymeetsthisgravesituationisbyextendingstillgreaterprivilegestothosewhohavealreadymonopolizedtheearth，andbystillfurtherenslavingthedisinheritedmasses。Thustheentirearsenalofgovernment——laws，police，soldiers，thecourts，legislatures，prisons，——isstrenuouslyengagedin"harmonizing"themostantagonisticelementsinsociety。

Themostabsurdapologyforauthorityandlawisthattheyservetodiminishcrime。AsidefromthefactthattheStateisitselfthegreatestcriminal，breakingeverywrittenandnaturallaw，stealingintheformoftaxes，killingintheformofwarandcapitalpunishment，ithascometoanabsolutestandstillincopingwithcrime。Ithasfailedutterlytodestroyorevenminimizethehorriblescourgeofitsowncreation。

Crimeisnaughtbutmisdirectedenergy。Solongaseveryinstitutionoftoday，economic，political，social，andmoral，conspirestomisdirecthumanenergyintowrongchannels；solongasmostpeopleareoutofplacedoingthethingstheyhatetodo，livingalifetheyloathetolive，crimewillbeinevitable，andallthelawsonthestatutescanonlyincrease，butneverdoawaywith，crime。Whatdoessociety，asitexiststoday，knowoftheprocessofdespair，thepoverty，thehorrors，thefearfulstrugglethehumansoulmustpassonitswaytocrimeanddegradation。WhothatknowsthisterribleprocesscanfailtoseethetruthinthesewordsofPeterKropotkin:

"Thosewhowillholdthebalancebetweenthebenefitsthusattributedtolawandpunishmentandthedegradingeffectofthelatteronhumanity；thosewhowillestimatethetorrentofdepravitypouredabroadinhumansocietybytheinformer，favoredbytheJudgeeven，andpaidforinclinkingcashbygovernments，underthepretextofaidingtounmaskcrime；thosewhowillgowithinprisonwallsandthereseewhathumanbeingsbecomewhendeprivedofliberty，whensubjectedtothecareofbrutalkeepers，tocoarse，cruelwords，toathousandstinging，piercinghumiliations，willagreewithusthattheentireapparatusofprisonandpunishmentisanabominationwhichoughttobebroughttoanend。"

Thedeterrentinfluenceoflawonthelazymanistooabsurdtomeritconsideration。Ifsocietywereonlyrelievedofthewasteandexpenseofkeepingalazyclass，andtheequallygreatexpenseoftheparaphernaliaofprotectionthislazyclassrequires，thesocialtableswouldcontainanabundanceforall，includingeventheoccasionallazyindividual。Besides，itiswelltoconsiderthatlazinessresultseitherfromspecialprivileges，orphysicalandmentalabnormalities。Ourpresentinsanesystemofproductionfostersboth，andthemostastoundingphenomenonisthatpeopleshouldwanttoworkatallnow。Anarchismaimstostriplaborofitsdeadening，dullingaspect，ofitsgloomandcompulsion。Itaimstomakeworkaninstrumentofjoy，ofstrength，ofcolor，ofrealharmony，sothatthepoorestsortofamanshouldfindinworkbothrecreationandhope。

Toachievesuchanarrangementoflife，government，withitsunjust，arbitrary，repressivemeasures，mustbedoneawaywith。Atbestithasbutimposedonesinglemodeoflifeuponall，withoutregardtoindividualandsocialvariationsandneeds。Indestroyinggovernmentandstatutorylaws，Anarchismproposestorescuetheself-respectandindependenceoftheindividualfromallrestraintandinvasionbyauthority。Onlyinfreedomcanmangrowtohisfullstature。Onlyinfreedomwillhelearntothinkandmove，andgivetheverybestinhim。Onlyinfreedomwillherealizethetrueforceofthesocialbondswhichknitmentogether，andwhicharethetruefoundationofanormalsociallife。

Butwhatabouthumannature？Canitbechanged？Andifnot，willitendureunderAnarchism？

Poorhumannature，whathorriblecrimeshavebeencommittedinthyname！Everyfool，fromkingtopoliceman，fromtheflatheadedparsontothevisionlessdabblerinscience，presumestospeakauthoritativelyofhumannature。Thegreaterthementalcharlatan，themoredefinitehisinsistenceonthewickednessandweaknessesofhumannature。Yet，howcananyonespeakofittoday，witheverysoulinaprison，witheveryheartfettered，wounded，andmaimed？

JohnBurroughshasstatedthatexperimentalstudyofanimalsincaptivityisabsolutelyuseless。Theircharacter，theirhabits，theirappetitesundergoacompletetransformationwhentornfromtheirsoilinfieldandforest。Withhumannaturecagedinanarrowspace，whippeddailyintosubmission，howcanwespeakofitspotentialities？

Freedom，expansion，opportunity，and，aboveall，peaceandrepose，alonecanteachustherealdominantfactorsofhumannatureandallitswonderfulpossibilities。

Anarchism，then，reallystandsfortheliberationofthehumanmindfromthedominionofreligion；theliberationofthehumanbodyfromthedominionofproperty；liberationfromtheshacklesandrestraintofgovernment。Anarchismstandsforasocialorderbasedonthefreegroupingofindividualsforthepurposeofproducingrealsocialwealth；anorderthatwillguaranteetoeveryhumanbeingfreeaccesstotheearthandfullenjoymentofthenecessitiesoflife，accordingtoindividualdesires，tastes，andinclinations。

Thisisnotawildfancyoranaberrationofthemind。Itistheconclusionarrivedatbyhostsofintellectualmenandwomentheworldover；aconclusionresultingfromthecloseandstudiousobservationofthetendenciesofmodernsociety:individuallibertyandeconomicequality，thetwinforcesforthebirthofwhatisfineandtrueinman。

Astomethods。Anarchismisnot，assomemaysuppose，atheoryofthefuturetoberealizedthroughdivineinspiration。Itisalivingforceintheaffairsofourlife，constantlycreatingnewconditions。

ThemethodsofAnarchismthereforedonotcompriseaniron-cladprogramtobecarriedoutunderallcircumstances。Methodsmustgrowoutoftheeconomicneedsofeachplaceandclime，andoftheintellectualandtemperamentalrequirementsoftheindividual。Theserene，calmcharacterofaTolstoywillwishdifferentmethodsforsocialreconstructionthantheintense，overflowingpersonalityofaMichaelBakuninoraPeterKropotkin。EquallysoitmustbeapparentthattheeconomicandpoliticalneedsofRussiawilldictatemoredrasticmeasuresthanwouldEnglandorAmerica。Anarchismdoesnotstandformilitarydrillanduniformity；itdoes，however，standforthespiritofrevolt，inwhateverform，againsteverythingthathindershumangrowth。AllAnarchistsagreeinthat，astheyalsoagreeintheiroppositiontothepoliticalmachineryasameansofbringingaboutthegreatsocialchange。

"Allvoting，"saysThoreau，"isasortofgaming，likecheckers，orbackgammon，aplayingwithrightandwrong；itsobligationneverexceedsthatofexpediency。Evenvotingfortherightthingisdoingnothingforit。Awisemanwillnotleavetherighttothemercyofchance，norwishittoprevailthroughthepowerofthemajority。"

AcloseexaminationofthemachineryofpoliticsanditsachievementswillbearoutthelogicofThoreau。

Whatdoesthehistoryofparliamentarismshow？Nothingbutfailureanddefeat，notevenasinglereformtoamelioratetheeconomicandsocialstressofthepeople。Lawshavebeenpassedandenactmentsmadefortheimprovementandprotectionoflabor。ThusitwasprovenonlylastyearthatIllinois，withthemostrigidlawsformineprotection，hadthegreatestminedisasters。InStateswherechildlaborlawsprevail，childexploitationisatitshighest，andthoughwithustheworkersenjoyfullpoliticalopportunities，capitalismhasreachedthemostbrazenzenith。

Evenweretheworkersabletohavetheirownrepresentatives，forwhichourgoodSocialistpoliticiansareclamoring，whatchancesaretherefortheirhonestyandgoodfaith？Onehasbuttobearinmindtheprocessofpoliticstorealizethatitspathofgoodintentionsisfullofpitfalls:wire-pulling，intriguing，flattering，lying，cheating；infact，chicaneryofeverydescription，wherebythepoliticalaspirantcanachievesuccess。Addedtothatisacompletedemoralizationofcharacterandconviction，untilnothingisleftthatwouldmakeonehopeforanythingfromsuchahumanderelict。

Timeandtimeagainthepeoplewerefoolishenoughtotrust，believe，andsupportwiththeirlastfarthingaspiringpoliticians，onlytofindthemselvesbetrayedandcheated。

Itmaybeclaimedthatmenofintegritywouldnotbecomecorruptinthepoliticalgrindingmill。Perhapsnot；butsuchmenwouldbeabsolutelyhelplesstoexerttheslightestinfluenceinbehalfoflabor，asindeedhasbeenshowninnumerousinstances。TheStateistheeconomicmasterofitsservants。Goodmen，ifsuchtherebe，wouldeitherremaintruetotheirpoliticalfaithandlosetheireconomicsupport，ortheywouldclingtotheireconomicmasterandbeutterlyunabletodotheslightestgood。Thepoliticalarenaleavesonenoalternative，onemusteitherbeadunceorarogue。

Thepoliticalsuperstitionisstillholdingswayovertheheartsandmindsofthemasses，butthetrueloversoflibertywillhavenomoretodowithit。Instead，theybelievewithStirnerthatmanhasasmuchlibertyasheiswillingtotake。Anarchismthereforestandsfordirectaction，theopendefianceof，andresistanceto，alllawsandrestrictions，economic，social，andmoral。Butdefianceandresistanceareillegal。Thereinliesthesalvationofman。

Everythingillegalnecessitatesintegrity，self-reliance，andcourage。Inshort，itcallsforfree，independentspirits，for"menwhoaremen，andwhohaveaboneintheirbackswhichyoucannotpassyourhandthrough。"

Universalsuffrageitselfowesitsexistencetodirectaction。Ifnotforthespiritofrebellion，ofthedefianceonthepartoftheAmericanrevolutionaryfathers，theirposteritywouldstillweartheKing’scoat。IfnotforthedirectactionofaJohnBrownandhiscomrades，Americawouldstilltradeinthefleshoftheblackman。

True，thetradeinwhitefleshisstillgoingon；butthat，too，willhavetobeabolishedbydirectaction。Trade-unionism，theeconomicarenaofthemoderngladiator，owesitsexistencetodirectaction。

Itisbutrecentlythatlawandgovernmenthaveattemptedtocrushthetrade-unionmovement，andcondemnedtheexponentsofman’srighttoorganizetoprisonasconspirators。Hadtheysoughttoasserttheircausethroughbegging，pleading，andcompromise，trade-unionismwouldtodaybeanegligiblequantity。InFrance，inSpain，inItaly，inRussia，nayeveninEngland(witnessthegrowingrebellionofEnglishlaborunions)direct，revolutionary，economicactionhasbecomesostrongaforceinthebattleforindustriallibertyastomaketheworldrealizethetremendousimportanceoflabor’spower。

TheGeneralStrike，thesupremeexpressionoftheeconomicconsciousnessoftheworkers，wasridiculedinAmericabutashorttimeago。Todayeverygreatstrike，inordertowin，mustrealizetheimportanceofthesolidaricgeneralprotest。

Directaction，havingproveneffectivealongeconomiclines，isequallypotentintheenvironmentoftheindividual。Thereahundredforcesencroachuponhisbeing，andonlypersistentresistancetothemwillfinallysethimfree。Directactionagainsttheauthorityintheshop，directactionagainsttheauthorityofthelaw，directactionagainsttheinvasive，meddlesomeauthorityofourmoralcode，isthelogical，consistentmethodofAnarchism。

Willitnotleadtoarevolution？Indeed，itwill。Norealsocialchangehasevercomeaboutwithoutarevolution。Peopleareeithernotfamiliarwiththeirhistory，ortheyhavenotyetlearnedthatrevolutionisbutthoughtcarriedintoaction。

Anarchism，thegreatleavenofthought，istodaypermeatingeveryphaseofhumanendeavor。Science，art，literature，thedrama，theeffortforeconomicbetterment，infacteveryindividualandsocialoppositiontotheexistingdisorderofthings，isilluminedbythespirituallightofAnarchism。Itisthephilosophyofthesovereigntyoftheindividual。Itisthetheoryofsocialharmony。

Itisthegreat，surging，livingtruththatisreconstructingtheworld，andthatwillusherintheDawn。

MINORITIESVERSUSMAJORITIES

IfIweretogiveasummaryofthetendencyofourtimes，Iwouldsay，Quantity。Themultitude，themassspirit，dominateseverywhere，destroyingquality。Ourentirelife——production，politics，andeducation——restsonquantity，onnumbers。Theworkerwhooncetookprideinthethoroughnessandqualityofhiswork，hasbeenreplacedbybrainless，incompetentautomatons，whoturnoutenormousquantitiesofthings，valuelesstothemselves，andgenerallyinjurioustotherestofmankind。Thusquantity，insteadofaddingtolife’scomfortsandpeace，hasmerelyincreasedman’sburden。

Inpolitics，naughtbutquantitycounts。Inproportiontoitsincrease，however，principles，ideals，justice，anduprightnessarecompletelyswampedbythearrayofnumbers。Inthestruggleforsupremacythevariouspoliticalpartiesoutdoeachotherintrickery，deceit，cunning，andshadymachinations，confidentthattheonewhosucceedsissuretobehailedbythemajorityasthevictor。Thatistheonlygod，——Success。Astowhatexpense，whatterriblecosttocharacter，isofnomoment。Wehavenotfartogoinsearchofprooftoverifythissadfact。

Neverbeforedidthecorruption，thecompleterottennessofourgovernmentstandsothoroughlyexposed；neverbeforeweretheAmericanpeoplebroughtfacetofacewiththeJudasnatureofthatpoliticalbody，whichhasclaimedforyearstobeabsolutelybeyondreproach，asthemainstayofourinstitutions，thetrueprotectoroftherightsandlibertiesofthepeople。

Yetwhenthecrimesofthatpartybecamesobrazenthateventheblindcouldseethem，itneededbuttomusterupitsminions，anditssupremacywasassured。Thustheveryvictims，duped，betrayed，outragedahundredtimes，decided，notagainst，butinfavorofthevictor。Bewildered，thefewaskedhowcouldthemajoritybetraythetraditionsofAmericanliberty？Wherewasitsjudgment，itsreasoningcapacity？Thatisjustit，themajoritycannotreason；ithasnojudgment。Lackingutterlyinoriginalityandmoralcourage，themajorityhasalwaysplaceditsdestinyinthehandsofothers。

Incapableofstandingresponsibilities，ithasfolloweditsleadersevenuntodestruction。Dr。Stockmanwasright:"Themostdangerousenemiesoftruthandjusticeinourmidstarethecompactmajorities，thedamnedcompactmajority。"Withoutambitionorinitiative，thecompactmasshatesnothingsomuchasinnovation。Ithasalwaysopposed，condemned，andhoundedtheinnovator，thepioneerofanewtruth。

Theoftrepeatedsloganofourtimeis，amongallpoliticians，theSocialistsincluded，thatoursisaneraofindividualism，oftheminority。Onlythosewhodonotprobebeneaththesurfacemightbeledtoentertainthisview。Havenotthefewaccumulatedthewealthoftheworld？Aretheynotthemasters，theabsolutekingsofthesituation？Theirsuccess，however，isduenottoindividualism，buttotheinertia，thecravenness，theuttersubmissionofthemass。

Thelatterwantsbuttobedominated，tobeled，tobecoerced。Astoindividualism，atnotimeinhumanhistorydidithavelesschanceofexpression，lessopportunitytoassertitselfinanormal，healthymanner。

Theindividualeducatorimbuedwithhonestyofpurpose，theartistorwriteroforiginalideas，theindependentscientistorexplorer，thenon-compromisingpioneersofsocialchangesaredailypushedtothewallbymenwhoselearningandcreativeabilityhavebecomedecrepitwithage。

EducatorsofFerrer’stypearenowheretolerated，whilethedietitiansofpredigestedfood，alaProfessorsEliotandButler，arethesuccessfulperpetuatorsofanageofnonentities，ofautomatons。

Intheliteraryanddramaticworld，theHumphreyWardsandClydeFitchesaretheidolsofthemass，whilebutfewknoworappreciatethebeautyandgeniusofanEmerson，Thoreau，Whitman；anIbsen，aHauptmann，aButlerYeats，oraStephenPhillips。Theyarelikesolitarystars，farbeyondthehorizonofthemultitude。

Publishers，theatricalmanagers，andcriticsasknotforthequalityinherentincreativeart，butwillitmeetwithagoodsale，willitsuitthepalateofthepeople？Alas，thispalateislikeadumpingground；itrelishesanythingthatneedsnomentalmastication。Asaresult，themediocre，theordinary，thecommonplacerepresentsthechiefliteraryoutput。

NeedIsaythatinartweareconfrontedwiththesamesadfacts？

Onehasbuttoinspectourparksandthoroughfarestorealizethehideousnessandvulgarityoftheartmanufacture。Certainly，nonebutamajoritytastewouldtoleratesuchanoutrageonart。Falseinconceptionandbarbarousinexecution，thestatuarythatinfestsAmericancitieshasasmuchrelationtotrueart，asatotemtoaMichaelAngelo。Yetthatistheonlyartthatsucceeds。Thetrueartisticgenius，whowillnotcatertoacceptednotions，whoexercisesoriginality，andstrivestobetruetolife，leadsanobscureandwretchedexistence。Hisworkmaysomedaybecomethefadofthemob，butnotuntilhisheart’sbloodhadbeenexhausted；notuntilthepathfinderhasceasedtobe，andathrongofanideallessandvisionlessmobhasdonetodeaththeheritageofthemaster。

ItissaidthattheartistoftodaycannotcreatebecausePrometheus-likeheisboundtotherockofeconomicnecessity。

This，however，istrueofartinallages。MichaelAngelowasdependentonhispatronsaint，nolessthanthesculptororpainteroftoday，exceptthattheartconnoisseursofthosedayswerefarawayfromthemaddingcrowd。Theyfelthonoredtobepermittedtoworshipattheshrineofthemaster。

Theartprotectorofourtimeknowsbutonecriterion，onevalue，——thedollar。Heisnotconcernedaboutthequalityofanygreatwork，butinthequantityofdollarshispurchaseimplies。

ThusthefinancierinMirbeau’sLESAFFAIRESSONTLESAFFAIRESpointstosomeblurredarrangementincolors，saying"Seehowgreatitis；

itcost50，000francs。"Justlikeourownparvenues。Thefabulousfigurespaidfortheirgreatartdiscoveriesmustmakeupforthepovertyoftheirtaste。

Themostunpardonablesininsocietyisindependenceofthought。

Thatthisshouldbesoterriblyapparentinacountrywhosesymbolisdemocracy，isverysignificantofthetremendouspowerofthemajority。

WendellPhillipssaidfiftyyearsago:"Inourcountryofabsolutedemocraticequality，publicopinionisnotonlyomnipotent，itisomnipresent。Thereisnorefugefromitstyranny，thereisnohidingfromitsreach，andtheresultisthatifyoutaketheoldGreeklanternandgoabouttoseekamongahundred，youwillnotfindasingleAmericanwhohasnot，orwhodoesnotfancyatleasthehas，somethingtogainorloseinhisambition，hissociallife，orbusiness，fromthegoodopinionandthevotesofthosearoundhim。

Andtheconsequenceisthatinsteadofbeingamassofindividuals，eachonefearlesslyblurtingouthisownconviction，asanationcomparedtoothernationsweareamassofcowards。Morethananyotherpeopleweareafraidofeachother。"EvidentlywehavenotadvancedveryfarfromtheconditionthatconfrontedWendellPhillips。

Today，asthen，publicopinionistheomnipresenttyrant；today，asthen，themajorityrepresentsamassofcowards，willingtoaccepthimwhomirrorsitsownsoulandmindpoverty。ThataccountsfortheunprecedentedriseofamanlikeRoosevelt。Heembodiestheveryworstelementofmobpsychology。Apolitician，heknowsthatthemajoritycareslittleforidealsorintegrity。Whatitcravesisdisplay。Itmattersnotwhetherthatbeadogshow，aprizefight，thelynchingofa"nigger，"theroundingupofsomepettyoffender，themarriageexpositionofanheiress，ortheacrobaticstuntsofanex-president。Themorehideousthementalcontortions，thegreaterthedelightandbravosofthemass。Thus，poorinidealsandvulgarofsoul，Rooseveltcontinuestobethemanofthehour。

Ontheotherhand，mentoweringhighabovesuchpoliticalpygmies，menofrefinement，ofculture，ofability，arejeeredintosilenceasmollycoddles。Itisabsurdtoclaimthatoursistheeraofindividualism。Oursismerelyamorepoignantrepetitionofthephenomenonofallhistory:everyeffortforprogress，forenlightenment，forscience，forreligious，political，andeconomicliberty，emanatesfromtheminority，andnotfromthemass。Today，asever，thefewaremisunderstood，hounded，imprisoned，tortured，andkilled。

TheprincipleofbrotherhoodexpoundedbytheagitatorofNazarethpreservedthegermoflife，oftruthandjustice，solongasitwasthebeaconlightofthefew。Themomentthemajorityseizeduponit，thatgreatprinciplebecameashibbolethandharbingerofbloodandfire，spreadingsufferinganddisaster。TheattackontheomnipotenceofRomewaslikeasunriseamidthedarknessofthenight，onlysolongasitwasmadebythecolossalfiguresofaHuss，aCalvin，oraLuther。YetwhenthemassjoinedintheprocessionagainsttheCatholicmonster，itwasnolesscruel，nolessbloodthirstythanitsenemy。Woetotheheretics，totheminority，whowouldnotbowtoitsdicta。Afterinfinitezeal，endurance，andsacrifice，thehumanmindisatlastfreefromthereligiousphantom；

theminorityhasgoneoninpursuitofnewconquests，andthemajorityislaggingbehind，handicappedbytruthgrownfalsewithage。

Politicallythehumanracewouldstillbeinthemostabsoluteslavery，wereitnotfortheJohnBalls，theWatTylers，theTells，theinnumerableindividualgiantswhofoughtinchbyinchagainstthepowerofkingsandtyrants。Butforindividualpioneerstheworldwouldhaveneverbeenshakentoitsveryrootsbythattremendouswave，theFrenchRevolution。Greateventsareusuallyprecededbyapparentlysmallthings。ThustheeloquenceandfireofCamilleDesmoulinswaslikethetrumpetbeforeJericho，razingtothegroundthatemblemoftorture，ofabuse，ofhorror，theBastille。

Always，ateveryperiod，thefewwerethebannerbearersofagreatidea，ofliberatingeffort。Notsothemass，theleadenweightofwhichdoesnotletitmove。ThetruthofthisisborneoutinRussiawithgreaterforcethanelsewhere。Thousandsofliveshavealreadybeenconsumedbythatbloodyregime，yetthemonsteronthethroneisnotappeased。Howissuchathingpossiblewhenideas，culture，literature，whenthedeepestandfinestemotionsgroanundertheironyoke？Themajority，thatcompact，immobile，drowsymass，theRussianpeasant，afteracenturyofstruggle，ofsacrifice，ofuntoldmisery，stillbelievesthattheropewhichstrangles"themanwiththewhitehands"*bringsluck——

*Theintellectuals——

IntheAmericanstruggleforliberty，themajoritywasnolessofastumblingblock。UntilthisverydaytheideasofJefferson，ofPatrickHenry，ofThomasPaine，aredeniedandsoldbytheirposterity。Themasswantsnoneofthem。ThegreatnessandcourageworshippedinLincolnhavebeenforgotteninthemenwhocreatedthebackgroundforthepanoramaofthattime。ThetruepatronsaintsoftheblackmenwererepresentedinthathandfuloffightersinBoston，LloydGarrison，WendellPhillips，Thoreau，MargaretFuller，andTheodoreParker，whosegreatcourageandsturdinessculminatedinthatsombergiant，JohnBrown。Theiruntiringzeal，theireloquenceandperseveranceunderminedthestrongholdoftheSouthernlords。

Lincolnandhisminionsfollowedonlywhenabolitionhadbecomeapracticalissue，recognizedassuchbyall。

Aboutfiftyyearsago，ameteor-likeideamadeitsappearanceonthesocialhorizonoftheworld，anideasofar-reaching，sorevolutionary，soall-embracingastospreadterrorintheheartsoftyrantseverywhere。Ontheotherhand，thatideawasaharbingerofjoy，ofcheer，ofhopetothemillions。Thepioneersknewthedifficultiesintheirway，theyknewtheopposition，thepersecution，thehardshipsthatwouldmeetthem，butproudandunafraidtheystartedontheirmarchonward，everonward。Nowthatideahasbecomeapopularslogan。AlmosteveryoneisaSocialisttoday:therichman，aswellashispoorvictim；theupholdersoflawandauthority，aswellastheirunfortunateculprits；thefreethinker，aswellastheperpetuatorofreligiousfalsehoods；thefashionablelady，aswellastheshirtwaistgirl。Whynot？Nowthatthetruthoffiftyyearsagohasbecomealie，nowthatithasbeenclippedofallitsyouthfulimagination，andbeenrobbedofitsvigor，itsstrength，itsrevolutionaryideal——whynot？Nowthatitisnolongerabeautifulvision，buta"practical，workablescheme，"restingonthewillofthemajority，whynot？Withthesamepoliticalcunningandshrewdnessthemassispetted，pampered，cheateddaily。Itspraiseisbeingsunginmanykeys:thepoormajority，theoutraged，theabused，thegiantmajority，ifonlyitwouldfollowus。

Whohasnotheardthislitanybefore？Whodoesnotknowthisnever-varyingrefrainofallpoliticians？Thatthemassbleeds，thatitisbeingrobbedandexploited，Iknowaswellasourvote-baiters。

ButIinsistthatnotthehandfulofparasites，butthemassitselfisresponsibleforthishorriblestateofaffairs。Itclingstoitsmasters，lovesthewhip，andisthefirsttocryCrucify！themomentaprotestingvoiceisraisedagainstthesacrednessofcapitalisticauthorityoranyotherdecayedinstitution。Yethowlongwouldauthorityandprivatepropertyexist，ifnotforthewillingnessofthemasstobecomesoldiers，policemen，jailers，andhangmen。TheSocialistdemagoguesknowthataswellasI，buttheymaintainthemythofthevirtuesofthemajority，becausetheirveryschemeoflifemeanstheperpetuationofpower。Andhowcouldthelatterbeacquiredwithoutnumbers？Yes，power，authority，coercion，anddependencerestonthemass，butneverfreedom，neverthefreeunfoldmentoftheindividual，neverthebirthofafreesociety。

NotbecauseIdonotfeelwiththeoppressed，thedisinheritedoftheearth；notbecauseIdonotknowtheshame，thehorror，theindignityofthelivesthepeoplelead，doIrepudiatethemajorityasacreativeforceforgood。Oh，no，no！ButbecauseIknowsowellthatasacompactmassithasneverstoodforjusticeorequality。

Ithassuppressedthehumanvoice，subduedthehumanspirit，chainedthehumanbody。Asamassitsaimhasalwaysbeentomakelifeuniform，gray，andmonotonousasthedesert。Asamassitwillalwaysbetheannihilatorofindividuality，offreeinitiative，oforiginality。IthereforebelievewithEmersonthat"themassesarecrude，lame，perniciousintheirdemandsandinfluence，andneednottobeflattered，buttobeschooled。Iwishnottoconcedeanythingtothem，buttodrill，divide，andbreakthemup，anddrawindividualsoutofthem。Masses！Thecalamityarethemasses。Idonotwishanymassatall，buthonestmenonly，lovely，sweet，accomplishedwomenonly。"

Inotherwords，theliving，vitaltruthofsocialandeconomicwell-beingwillbecomearealityonlythroughthezeal，courage，thenon-compromisingdeterminationofintelligentminorities，andnotthroughthemass。

THEPSYCHOLOGYOFPOLITICALVIOLENCE

Toanalyzethepsychologyofpoliticalviolenceisnotonlyextremelydifficult，butalsoverydangerous。Ifsuchactsaretreatedwithunderstanding，oneisimmediatelyaccusedofeulogizingthem。If，ontheotherhand，humansympathyisexpressedwiththeATTENTATER，*onerisksbeingconsideredapossibleaccomplice。Yetitisonlyintelligenceandsympathythatcanbringusclosertothesourceofhumansuffering，andteachustheultimatewayoutofit——

*Arevolutionistcommittinganactofpoliticalviolence——

Theprimitiveman，ignorantofnaturalforces，dreadedtheirapproach，hidingfromtheperilstheythreatened。AsmanlearnedtounderstandNature’sphenomena，herealizedthatthoughthesemaydestroylifeandcausegreatloss，theyalsobringrelief。Totheearneststudentitmustbeapparentthattheaccumulatedforcesinoursocialandeconomiclife，culminatinginapoliticalactofviolence，aresimilartotheterrorsoftheatmosphere，manifestedinstormandlightning。

Tothoroughlyappreciatethetruthofthisview，onemustfeelintenselytheindignityofoursocialwrongs；one’sverybeingmustthrobwiththepain，thesorrow，thedespairmillionsofpeoplearedailymadetoendure。Indeed，unlesswehavebecomeapartofhumanity，wecannotevenfaintlyunderstandthejustindignationthataccumulatesinahumansoul，theburning，surgingpassionthatmakesthestorminevitable。

Theignorantmasslooksuponthemanwhomakesaviolentprotestagainstoursocialandeconomiciniquitiesasuponawildbeast，acruel，heartlessmonster，whosejoyitistodestroylifeandbatheinblood；oratbest，asuponanirresponsiblelunatic。Yetnothingisfurtherfromthetruth。Asamatteroffact，thosewhohavestudiedthecharacterandpersonalityofthesemen，orwhohavecomeinclosecontactwiththem，areagreedthatitistheirsuper-sensitivenesstothewrongandinjusticesurroundingthemwhichcompelsthemtopaythetollofoursocialcrimes。Themostnotedwritersandpoets，discussingthepsychologyofpoliticaloffenders，havepaidthemthehighesttribute。Couldanyoneassumethatthesemenhadadvisedviolence，orevenapprovedoftheacts？Certainlynot。Theirswastheattitudeofthesocialstudent，ofthemanwhoknowsthatbeyondeveryviolentactthereisavitalcause。

BjornstjerneBjornson，inthesecondpartofBEYONDHUMANPOWER，emphasizesthefactthatitisamongtheAnarchiststhatwemustlookforthemodernmartyrswhopayfortheirfaithwiththeirblood，andwhowelcomedeathwithasmile，becausetheybelieve，astrulyasChristdid，thattheirmartyrdomwillredeemhumanity。

FrancoisCoppee，theFrenchnovelist，thusexpresseshimselfregardingthepsychologyoftheATTENTATER:

"ThereadingofthedetailsofVaillant’sexecutionleftmeinathoughtfulmood。Iimaginedhimexpandinghischestundertheropes，marchingwithfirmstep，stiffeninghiswill，concentratingallhisenergy，and，witheyesfixedupontheknife，hurlingfinallyatsocietyhiscryofmalediction。And，inspiteofme，anotherspectaclerosesuddenlybeforemymind。Isawagroupofmenandwomenpressingagainsteachotherinthemiddleoftheoblongarenaofthecircus，underthegazeofthousandsofeyes，whilefromallthestepsoftheimmenseamphitheatrewentuptheterriblecry，AD

LEONES！and，below，theopeningcagesofthewildbeasts。

"Ididnotbelievetheexecutionwouldtakeplace。Inthefirstplace，novictimhadbeenstruckwithdeath，andithadlongbeenthecustomnottopunishanabortivecrimewiththelastdegreeofseverity。Then，thiscrime，howeverterribleinintention，wasdisinterested，bornofanabstractidea。Theman’spast，hisabandonedchildhood，hislifeofhardship，pleadedalsoinhisfavor。

Intheindependentpressgenerousvoiceswereraisedinhisbehalf，veryloudandeloquent。’Apurelyliterarycurrentofopinion’somehavesaid，withnolittlescorn。ITIS，ONTHECONTRARY，ANHONORTO

THEMENOFARTANDTHOUGHTTOHAVEEXPRESSEDONCEMORETHEIRDISGUST

ATTHESCAFFOLD。"

AgainZola，inGERMINALandPARIS，describesthetendernessandkindness，thedeepsympathywithhumansuffering，ofthesemenwhoclosethechapteroftheirliveswithaviolentoutbreakagainstoursystem。

Last，butnotleast，themanwhoprobablybetterthananyoneelseunderstandsthepsychologyoftheATTENTATERisM。Hamon，theauthorofthebrilliantwork，UNEPSYCHOLOGIEDUMILITAIREPROFESSIONEL，whohasarrivedatthesesuggestiveconclusions:

"ThepositivemethodconfirmedbytherationalmethodenablesustoestablishanidealtypeofAnarchist，whosementalityistheaggregateofcommonpsychiccharacteristics。EveryAnarchistpartakessufficientlyofthisidealtypetomakeitpossibletodifferentiatehimfromothermen。ThetypicalAnarchist，then，maybedefinedasfollows:Amanperceptiblebythespiritofrevoltunderoneormoreofitsforms，——opposition，investigation，criticism，innovation，——endowedwithastrongloveofliberty，egoisticorindividualistic，andpossessedofgreatcuriosity，akeendesiretoknow。Thesetraitsaresupplementedbyanardentloveofothers，ahighlydevelopedmoralsensitiveness，aprofoundsentimentofjustice，andimbuedwithmissionaryzeal。"

Totheabovecharacteristics，saysAlvinF。Sanborn，mustbeaddedthesesterlingqualities:arareloveofanimals，surpassingsweetnessinalltheordinaryrelationsoflife，exceptionalsobrietyofdemeanor，frugalityandregularity，austerity，even，ofliving，andcouragebeyondcompare。*——

*PARISANDTHESOCIALREVOLUTION——

"Thereisatruismthatthemaninthestreetseemsalwaystoforget，whenheisabusingtheAnarchists，orwhateverpartyhappenstobehisBETENOIREforthemoment，asthecauseofsomeoutragejustperpetrated。Thisindisputablefactisthathomicidaloutrageshave，fromtimeimmemorial，beenthereplyofgoadedanddesperateclasses，andgoadedanddesperateindividuals，towrongsfromtheirfellowmen，whichtheyfelttobeintolerable。Suchactsaretheviolentrecoilfromviolence，whetheraggressiveorrepressive；theyarethelastdesperatestruggleofoutragedandexasperatedhumannatureforbreathingspaceandlife。Andtheircauseliesnotinanyspecialconviction，butinthedepthsofthathumannatureitself。Thewholecourseofhistory，politicalandsocial，isstrewnwithevidenceofthisfact。Togonofurther，takethethreemostnotoriousexamplesofpoliticalpartiesgoadedintoviolenceduringthelastfiftyyears:theMazziniansinItaly，theFeniansinIreland，andtheTerroristsinRussia。WerethesepeopleAnarchists？No。Didtheyallthreeevenholdthesamepoliticalopinions？No。TheMazzinianswereRepublicans，theFenianspoliticalseparatists，theRussiansSocialDemocratsorConstitutionalists。Butallweredrivenbydesperatecircumstancesintothisterribleformofrevolt。Andwhenweturnfrompartiestoindividualswhohaveactedinlikemanner，westandappalledbythenumberofhumanbeingsgoadedanddrivenbysheerdesperationintoconductobviouslyviolentlyopposedtotheirsocialinstincts。

"NowthatAnarchismhasbecomealivingforceinsociety，suchdeedshavebeensometimescommittedbyAnarchists，aswellasbyothers。

Fornonewfaith，eventhemostessentiallypeaceableandhumanethemindofmanhasyetaccepted，butatitsfirstcominghasbroughtuponearthnotpeace，butasword；notbecauseofanythingviolentoranti-socialinthedoctrineitself；simplybecauseofthefermentanynewandcreativeideaexcitesinmen’sminds，whethertheyacceptorrejectit。AndaconceptionofAnarchism，which，ononehand，threatenseveryvestedinterest，and，ontheother，holdsoutavisionofafreeandnoblelifetobewonbyastruggleagainstexistingwrongs，iscertaintorousethefiercestopposition，andbringthewholerepressiveforceofancientevilintoviolentcontactwiththetumultuousoutburstofanewhope。

"Undermiserableconditionsoflife，anyvisionofthepossibilityofbetterthingsmakesthepresentmiserymoreintolerable，andspursthosewhosuffertothemostenergeticstrugglestoimprovetheirlot，andifthesestrugglesonlyimmediatelyresultinsharpermisery，theoutcomeissheerdesperation。Inourpresentsociety，forinstance，anexploitedwageworker，whocatchesaglimpseofwhatworkandlifemightandoughttobe，findsthetoilsomeroutineandthesqualorofhisexistencealmostintolerable；andevenwhenhehastheresolutionandcouragetocontinuesteadilyworkinghisbest，andwaitinguntilnewideashavesopermeatedsocietyastopavethewayforbettertimes，themerefactthathehassuchideasandtriestospreadthem，bringshimintodifficultieswithhisemployers。HowmanythousandsofSocialists，andaboveallAnarchists，havelostworkandeventhechanceofwork，solelyonthegroundoftheiropinions。Itisonlythespeciallygiftedcraftsman，who，ifhebeazealouspropagandist，canhopetoretainpermanentemployment。Andwhathappenstoamanwithhisbrainworkingactivelywithafermentofnewideas，withavisionbeforehiseyesofanewhopedawningfortoilingandagonizingmen，withtheknowledgethathissufferingandthatofhisfellowsinmiseryisnotcausedbythecrueltyoffate，butbytheinjusticeofotherhumanbeings，——whathappenstosuchamanwhenheseesthosedeartohimstarving，whenhehimselfisstarved？Somenaturesinsuchaplight，andthosebynomeanstheleastsocialortheleastsensitive，willbecomeviolent，andwillevenfeelthattheirviolenceissocialandnotanti-social，thatinstrikingwhenandhowtheycan，theyarestriking，notforthemselves，butforhumannature，outragedanddespoiledintheirpersonsandinthoseoftheirfellowsufferers。Andarewe，whoourselvesarenotinthishorriblepredicament，tostandbyandcoldlycondemnthesepiteousvictimsoftheFuriesandFates？Arewetodecryasmiscreantsthesehumanbeingswhoactwithheroicself-devotion，sacrificingtheirlivesinprotest，wherelesssocialandlessenergeticnatureswouldliedownandgrovelinabjectsubmissiontoinjusticeandwrong？Arewetojointheignorantandbrutaloutcrywhichstigmatizessuchmenasmonstersofwickedness，gratuitouslyrunningamuckinaharmoniousandinnocentlypeacefulsociety？No！WehatemurderwithahatredthatmayseemabsurdlyexaggeratedtoapologistsforMatabelemassacres，tocallousacquiescersinhangingsandbombardments，butwedeclineinsuchcasesofhomicide，orattemptedhomicide，asthoseofwhichwearetreating，tobeguiltyofthecruelinjusticeofflingingthewholeresponsibilityofthedeedupontheimmediateperpetrator。Theguiltofthesehomicidesliesuponeverymanandwomanwho，intentionallyorbycoldindifference，helpstokeepupsocialconditionsthatdrivehumanbeingstodespair。Themanwhoflingshiswholelifeintotheattempt，atthecostofhisownlife，toprotestagainstthewrongsofhisfellowmen，isasaintcomparedtotheactiveandpassiveupholdersofcrueltyandinjustice，evenifhisprotestdestroyotherlivesbesideshisown。Lethimwhoiswithoutsininsocietycastthefirststoneatsuchanone。"*——

*FromapamphletissuedbytheFreedomGroupofLondon