The hottest Anarchism Substack posts right now

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The Persona And Legacy Of Murray Rothbard

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 30 implied HN points • 12 Mar 26
đź“– Philosophy Anarchism
  1. Murray Rothbard was a fiercely uncompromising and prolific thinker who championed anarcho‑capitalism and wrote on economics, history, philosophy, and politics.
  2. He combined Austrian economics with moral and ethical arguments to reject the legitimacy of the state, and he was willing to ally tactically with left or right forces to advance libertarian goals.
  3. His clear, prolific writing and teaching, plus a decades‑long habit of following the money in history, made him influential, and his vast work being online means his ideas can spread even faster with internet and AI tools.

*For a New Liberty* Book Club Reboot

Bet On It • 155 implied HN points • 30 Jan 26
đź“– Philosophy Anarchism
  1. A multi-week book club is being rebooted that will repost original chapter-by-chapter commentary every Friday and add fresh responses to readers’ comments. It starts Feb 6 and will run for about four months.
  2. The reading focuses on For a New Liberty, a provocative anarcho-capitalist book that’s deep and beautifully written. Participants are asked to read chapter 1 by next Friday.
  3. If readers like this weekly format, more favorite book clubs will be rebooted in the future. Interest from participants will determine whether the series continues.

Arguments with Interesting Leftists

David Friedman’s Substack • 548 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
đź“– Philosophy Anarchism
  1. There's a key difference in how people view politics. Some see it as a battle between good and evil, while others think it's more about ideas that are right or wrong.
  2. When discussing problems in society, it's important to consider evidence and outcomes instead of just taking sides. Understanding the consequences of different policies can lead to better solutions.
  3. Sometimes beliefs about the world can blind people to facts. Instead of assuming only one viewpoint is right, it's better to stay open-minded and think critically about different perspectives.

The Right Anarchy

Fake Noûs • 412 implied HN points • 05 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Anarchism
  1. Anarcho-capitalism focuses on having private security and competing businesses to handle crime and disputes. This means people choose services they like, rather than having a single government control everything.
  2. Capitalists take risks and delay rewards, driving innovation and efficient resource use in businesses. Without them, there might be less willingness to start new enterprises or invest money.
  3. Anarcho-socialism might seem nice, but it can struggle with stability over time. Capitalist systems are likely to win out because they can offer better opportunities and pay to attract the best workers.

Will you explain anarchism to me?

The Novelleist • 781 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
đź“– Philosophy Anarchism
  1. Anarchism is about creating a society without centralized power or authority. It acknowledges that people might still try to gain power, but the goal is to build a culture that resists such authority.
  2. There are questions about how to protect communities striving for anarchy while facing external threats. People are thinking about ways to create temporary spaces of freedom and coordinate efforts across different regions.
  3. For anarchism to flourish, there needs to be a shared global sentiment among people. It’s essential to imagine what an anarchist society could look like, as this vision can help guide the movement.
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How would anarchist societies protect themselves?

The Novelleist • 553 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
đź“– Philosophy Anarchism
  1. Anarchist societies might struggle with conflict and violence without a police force or official laws, as history shows many groups resolved issues through harsh means.
  2. The idea of countries without states not going to war seems optimistic; history shows that powerful groups have often conquered more peaceful societies.
  3. It's unclear how communities could operate without structured work and schools while still getting things done, and more examples are needed to understand how this could work in practice.

Humans are good (except for that one guy)

The Novelleist • 1075 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
đź“– Philosophy Anarchism
  1. There are good people who do positive things, but also 'that guy' who causes harm and makes rules and regulations necessary.
  2. Bad actors may be a small percentage, but their impact can be significant, leading to the need for larger systems to handle such individuals.
  3. While rules and regulations are essential for addressing bad behavior, they can sometimes become burdensome due to the actions of a few individuals.

What is the goal of anarchism?

The Novelleist • 347 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
đź“– Philosophy Anarchism
  1. Anarchism promotes the idea of living peacefully in small, self-governing communities. It believes people can manage their own lives without a large government.
  2. History shows that small communities often face threats from larger groups. To be safe, these small groups sometimes need to band together or rely on bigger organizations for protection.
  3. One way to achieve a peaceful, self-governing life may be to work within existing societies. By forming small communities where people can live as they want, we might promote harmony while still having some protection from the outside.

Am I an anarchist?

The Novelleist • 304 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
đź“– Philosophy Anarchism
  1. Small communities can self-govern effectively, but larger groups may need some form of governance to ensure good behavior among members. This raises questions about whether a decentralized system still counts as anarchist.
  2. People want similar goals across different ideologies, like a more equitable and environmentally conscious society. The focus should be on improving our current systems rather than starting from scratch.
  3. Open borders could change the dynamics of power between countries. If people can easily leave bad governments, those governments might be less likely to wage war or act poorly to keep their citizens.

Objectivism

David Friedman’s Substack • 206 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
đź“– Philosophy Anarchism
  1. Ayn Rand's idea of acting in your rational self-interest doesn't mean you should always respect others' rights. Sometimes, acting in your interest might involve violating those rights, but it's best to do so wisely.
  2. An Objectivist government, which would need to fund services like defense, struggles with the idea of collecting taxes without violating its own principles since taxation is seen as initiation of force.
  3. The conversation suggests that accepting some rights violations might be reasonable for the sake of a limited government, but there's a debate on whether a stateless society is actually a better solution.

The "letters to an anarchist" post-mortem

The Novelleist • 141 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
đź“– Philosophy Anarchism
  1. Peter and Elle wrote a year-long series of letters about anarchism, discussing various topics related to the philosophy. It's an effort to understand and explain anarchism more deeply.
  2. They published their correspondence in eight parts, covering ideas like the goals of anarchism and how societies can protect themselves without traditional governance.
  3. They also held an event to share their experiences and respond to readers' feedback, highlighting the importance of open dialogue in exploring complex ideas.

The State

Fake Noûs • 342 implied HN points • 20 May 23
đź“– Philosophy Anarchism
  1. The problem of authority in political philosophy questions the basis for political legitimacy and obligation.
  2. The Utilitarian Account suggests the state's authority comes from providing social order, but doesn't explain unnecessary laws.
  3. Anarchism challenges the notion of state authority, advocating for minimal coercive activities and privatization of necessary government functions.

Anti-State is Anti-Freedom, Part 1

Bet On It • 161 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
đź“– Philosophy Anarchism
  1. A free society subordinates might to right through individual rights.
  2. Anarchy does not lead to true freedom, but rather to the rule of brute force.
  3. A rights-protecting government is essential for safeguarding individual rights and creating a free society.

A Second Note on the Spanish Civil War Series

Fisted by Foucault • 145 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
đź’ľ History Anarchism
  1. The series will explore the events leading up to the Spanish Civil War, covering phases like pre-Civil War, the failed military coup, and the civil war itself.
  2. The author will delve into various aspects such as the different sides of the conflict, key groups, violent early months, and international involvement.
  3. Readers can expect a detailed and extensive series that will take time to unfold, providing a thorough understanding of this historical episode.

Anti-State is Anti-Freedom, Part 2

Bet On It • 95 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
đź“– Philosophy Anarchism
  1. Libertarian anarchists advocate for a society where force is not controlled by the government.
  2. Anarchy may lead to a system where laws are dictated by those who can pay the most.
  3. The argument for anarchy lacks a compelling reason to overthrow a government that protects rights.

Todavía en España

The False Consensus Effect • 59 implied HN points • 20 Jun 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Anarchism
  1. The author reflects on their experience of being stranded in Spain due to COVID and expresses frustration with the government's handling of the situation.
  2. The author shares personal thoughts on anarchism and their disillusionment with nations, declaring themselves an "underground citizen of earth."
  3. The author discusses the power of creativity and freedom, highlighting the importance of art in resisting imprisonment and expressing individuality.

Anarchist hero Murray Bookchin was a Zionist who whitewashed Israeli colonialism and war crimes

Geopolitical Economy Report • 59 implied HN points • 14 Jun 19
🌍 World Politics Anarchism
  1. Murray Bookchin, an anarchist hero, had controversial views about Zionism and Israeli colonialism.
  2. Bookchin's ideas on social ecology and libertarianism garnered him a saint-like status within the anarchist community.
  3. The article sheds light on Bookchin's complexities regarding his stance on Israeli actions and his anarchist beliefs.