INDIVIDUALIST ANARCHISM

Individualist anarchism, also known as anarcho-individualism, is based on the idea of the sovereign individual from liberal thought. It often takes liberal individualism to its extreme conclusion. For instance, William Godwin’s views reflect a radical form of classical liberalism. At the core of liberalism is the belief that the individual is paramount, and individual freedom is vital. Classical liberals see freedom as a lack of outside interference. When individualism is pushed to its limits, it suggests that each person holds complete authority over themselves. From this viewpoint, any restriction on an individual is harmful, especially if it comes from the state, which is a forceful and compulsory entity. Therefore, true individual sovereignty cannot exist in a society governed by laws and authority. Individualism and the state cannot coexist. 

While these ideas are rooted in liberalism, individualist anarchism differs significantly. Liberals value individual freedom but believe that a state is necessary to protect it in a society without laws. They argue for a minimal government to prevent violence and theft. They see laws as a way to safeguard freedom rather than limit it. Modern liberals expand on this, arguing that state involvement can enhance positive freedom. In contrast, anarchists believe people can live together peacefully without government oversight. They maintain that free individuals can cooperate effectively because they are rational and moral. When disagreements occur, they think these should be settled through discussion or mediation.

All laws infringe on individual liberty, whether the government that enacts them is constitutional or arbitrary, democratic or dictatorial. In other words, all states are an offense against individual liberty. 

• egoism

• libertarianism

• anarcho-capitalism.

During the nineteenth century, a more radical and violent form of individualism emerged in Europe,  linked to Max Stirner. This ideology, known as egoism, centers on the idea that the ego drives individual actions. The ego reflects a person's desire for self-fulfillment. Egoists believe that people act out of self-interest, prioritising their own needs over those of others. They view themselves as the main focus of their lives, which leads them to see social interactions as threats to their freedom. They argue that the state should be abolished because it hinders personal autonomy.

Stirner claimed that humans are rational beings devoid of morality, acting mainly to satisfy their desires. He argued that only fear of social disapproval keeps people in check and stops them from achieving true freedom. He also suggested that cooperation among individuals would only happen if there was a personal benefit involved. This idea left room for the formation of cooperative communities, which Stirner termed unions of egoists, though he did not view these as traditional societies. Instead, it was a group of individuals motivated by self-interest.

In his work, The Ego and His Own (1844), Stirner expressed that he did not care about others personally; he was interested only in how they could serve his needs. Egoists gained a reputation for violence and resistance against any imposed organisation. Sergei Nechaev, a well-known egoist, believed that a true revolutionary must hate everything to focus entirely on destroying the state. Egoists are very sceptical about human nature and the possibility of creating anarchist societies. They oppose the state but lack clear ideas for what should replace it and do not have developed economic theories. They believe that free individuals will find ways to trade based on their self-interest, emphasising property accumulation. They think everyone is driven to acquire and hold onto possessions.

Stirner believed that egoism is a philosophy that places the individual self at the core of morality. From this viewpoint, a person should act according to their own desires, ignoring laws, social norms, or moral beliefs. This stance can be seen as a form of nihilism. It leans towards both atheism and a radical type of individualist anarchism. However, Stirner’s version of anarchism rejected Enlightenment values and offered few ideas on how to maintain order in a society without a state. As a result, it had limited influence on the developing anarchist movement. 

Nihilism describes a belief that humanity lacks common values and that objective truth does not exist. Nihilists reject all social and political structures, believing that individual freedom outweighs society or morality. Anarcho-capitalism and egoism, two other individualist anarchist beliefs, have more structured ideas on how anarchism should function.

Anarcho-capitalism is a modern philosophy that began in the 1970s and 1980s. It arose partly as a protest against the growing control of western governments over capitalism. This philosophy is closely related to libertarianism, which is an extreme form of conservatism linked to Robert Nozick. Nozick aimed to eliminate most laws to give people much more freedom than current societies provide. Unlike anarchists, he believed a small state was still necessary. In contrast, key figures of anarcho-capitalism, Murray Rothbard and David Friedman, completely rejected the idea of state control.

Rothbard created the term "anarcho-capitalism" to describe his beliefs. He argued that this philosophy is based on three traditions: first, the classical liberalism of the 19th century, which called for a minimal state; second, 19th-century American individualist anarchism, championed by thinkers like Henry Thoreau and Benjamin Tucker, who fought against the state's interference with individual rights; and third, the Austrian school of economics from the mid-20th century, which advocated for fully free markets with little to no government oversight.

Rothbard viewed economic freedom as essential but saw it as under threat from the state. He believed that political and economic freedoms are intertwined. His main criticism of the state was taxation, which he viewed as a form of legalized theft because people should own the full value of their work.

Friedman shared Rothbard’s focus on free markets. He argued that humans are primarily economic beings. He believed that individuals have the right to everything they earn through hard work. To achieve their desires, people must be free to engage in trade without government restrictions. Only unregulated capitalism can provide this freedom and foster beneficial exchanges.

Anarcho-capitalists see the state as the main obstacle to individual liberty. They believe that government laws interfere with freedom, while economic regulations hinder trade and prevent people from pursuing their own interests. Their view of human nature values freedom, believing that self-interest shows people are rational and capable of making enlightened choices.

Anarcho-capitalists believe that private protection agencies could provide better services than the current police. They argue that competition would give people more options, making these agencies affordable, effective, and attentive to what customers want. Similarly, private courts would need to build a reputation for fairness to attract clients looking to settle disputes. Importantly, contracts with these private agencies would be entirely voluntary and influenced only by market forces, unlike public institutions. While these ideas may seem radical, privatisation has already progressed in many Western countries. In the USA, some states use private prisons, and there are established experiments with private courts and arbitration services. In the UK, private prisons and protection agencies are common, and initiatives like ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ have shifted some responsibility for public safety from the police to local communities.

An anarcho-capitalist society would also be highly competitive. Only the strongest would thrive, as there would be no government support for those in need. Anarcho-capitalists believe that capitalism fosters relationships that everyone wants to maintain. Workers benefit from supporting the system that provides their jobs. Buyers and sellers depend on each other. Competition drives people to work harder and strive for excellence, reducing chaos in society. In a free market, individuals and private companies can take over the roles usually filled by the government. If there is a need for a service, the market will supply it, covering areas like healthcare, education, social services, and law enforcement without state involvement. Anarcho-capitalists view economics simply. The world is naturally competitive, with scarcity pushing the strongest to succeed while the weaker struggle. They argue that allow capitalism to shape the economy is justifiable, as free markets offer distinct advantages. Monopolies and trade unions, which hinder true competition, would dissolve when faced with an open market. Free competition is beneficial, as it encourages innovation and growth. State intervention in the economy is not justified, as it goes against natural principles.

Libertarianism 

Benjamin Tucker expanded on libertarianism by examining how independent individuals could live and collaborate peacefully. He offered two solutions to potential conflicts. The first highlights human reason, claiming that issues can be settled through rational discussion, a view held by Godwin, who believed truth will ultimately win out over falsehood. The second suggests creating a system that aligns the actions of free individuals. Extreme individualists like Warren and Tucker believed this could happen through market exchanges. Warren maintained that individuals have the right to the property they create but also need to work together for the benefits of division of labour. He proposed a 'labour-for-labour' exchange system and established 'time stores' for people to trade their work for future labour. Tucker stated that true anarchism aligns with the free-market ideas of Richard Cobden and John Bright.

The individualist idea was further explored in the USA by libertarian thinkers like Henry David Thoreau, Lysander Spooner, Benjamin Tucker, and Josiah Warren. Thoreau sought spiritual truth and independence, which led him to live in near solitude in nature for several years, an experience he captured in his book Walden. In his political essay 'Civil Disobedience,' Thoreau supported Jefferson's idea that the best government is one that governs the least but modified it to reflect his anarchist views: that the best government is one that doesn’t govern at all. For him, individualism encourages civil disobedience, meaning one must follow their conscience and do what they believe is right, regardless of societal expectations or government laws. Thoreau's anarchism prioritises personal conscience over political duty, prompting him to resist a government he viewed as immoral for supporting slavery and waging war.