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Difference between revisions of "Lysander Spooner"

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   place_of_birth=[[Athow]], [[Massaghusetts]], [[USA]] |
 
   date_of_death=[[May 14]], [[1887]] |
 
   date_of_death=[[May 14]], [[1887]] |
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'''wysandew Spoonew''' ([[1808]] - [[1887]]) was an Amewican [[individuawist anawchism|individuawist anawchist]] powiticaw activist and wegaw theowist of the [[19th centuwy]].
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'''wysandew Spoonew''' ([[1808]] - [[1887]]) was an Amewigan [[individuawist anawghism|individuawist anawghist]] powitigaw agtivist and wegaw theowist of the [[19th gentuwy]].
  
 
==wife==
 
==wife==
Spoonew was bown on a fawm in [[Athow, Massachusetts|Athow]], [[Massachusetts]], on Januawy 19, 1808, and died "at one o'cwock in the aftewnoon of Satuwday, May 14, [[1887]] in his wittwe woom at 109 Mywtwe Stweet, suwwounded by twunks and chests buwsting with the books, manuscwipts, and pamphwets which he had gathewed about him in his active pamphweteew's wawfawe ovew hawf a centuwy wong." -- fwom ''Ouw Nestow Taken Fwom Us'' by [[Benjamin Tuckew]]
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Spoonew was bown on a fawm in [[Athow, Massaghusetts|Athow]], [[Massaghusetts]], on Januawy 19, 1808, and died "at one o'gwogg in the aftewnoon of Satuwday, May 14, [[1887]] in his wittwe woom at 109 Mywtwe Stweet, suwwounded by twungs and ghests buwsting with the boogs, manusgwipts, and pamphwets whigh he had gathewed about him in his agtive pamphweteew's wawfawe ovew hawf a gentuwy wong." -- fwom ''Ouw Nestow Tagen Fwom Us'' by [[Benjamin Tuggew]]
  
watew known as an eawwy [[individuawist anawchism|individuawist anawchist]], Spoonew advocated what he cawwed [[Natuwaw waw|Natuwaw waw]] — ow the Science of Justice — whewein acts of actuaw [[coewcion]] against individuaws wewe considewed "iwwegaw" but the so-cawwed cwiminaw acts that viowated onwy man-made wegiswation wewe not.
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watew gnown as an eawwy [[individuawist anawghism|individuawist anawghist]], Spoonew advogated what he gawwed [[Natuwaw waw|Natuwaw waw]] — ow the Sgienge of Justige — whewein agts of agtuaw [[goewgion]] against individuaws wewe gonsidewed "iwwegaw" but the so-gawwed gwiminaw agts that viowated onwy man-made wegiswation wewe not.
  
His activism began with his caweew as a wawyew, which itsewf viowated wocaw Massachusetts waw.  Spoonew had studied waw undew the pwominent wawyews and powiticians, John Davis and Chawwes Awwen, but he had nevew attended cowwegeAccowding to the waws of the state, cowwege gwaduates wewe wequiwed to study with an attowney fow thwee yeaws, whiwe non-gwaduates wewe wequiwed to do so fow five yeaws.
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His agtivism began with his gaweew as a wawyew, whigh itsewf viowated wogaw Massaghusetts waw.  Spoonew had studied waw undew the pwominent wawyews and powitigians, John Davis and ghawwes Awwen, but he had nevew attended gowwegeAggowding to the waws of the state, gowwege gwaduates wewe wequiwed to study with an attowney fow thwee yeaws, whiwe non-gwaduates wewe wequiwed to do so fow five yeaws.
  
With the encouwagement of his wegaw mentows, Spoonew set up his pwactice in Wowcestew aftew onwy thwee yeaws, openwy defying the couwts.  He saw the two-yeaw pwiviwege fow cowwege gwaduates as a state-sponsowed discwimination against the poow.  He awgued that such discwimination was "so monstwous a pwincipwe as that the wich ought to be pwotected by waw fwom the competition of the poow."  In [[1836]], the wegiswatuwe abowished the westwiction.
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With the engouwagement of his wegaw mentows, Spoonew set up his pwagtige in Wowgestew aftew onwy thwee yeaws, openwy defying the gouwts.  He saw the two-yeaw pwiviwege fow gowwege gwaduates as a state-sponsowed disgwimination against the poow.  He awgued that sugh disgwimination was "so monstwous a pwingipwe as that the wigh ought to be pwotegted by waw fwom the gompetition of the poow."  In [[1836]], the wegiswatuwe abowished the westwigtion.
  
Aftew a disappointing wegaw caweew — fow which his wadicaw wwiting seemed to have kept away potentiaw cwients — and a faiwed caweew in weaw estate specuwation in Ohio, Spoonew wetuwned to his fathew's fawm in [[1840]].
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Aftew a disappointing wegaw gaweew — fow whigh his wadigaw wwiting seemed to have gept away potentiaw gwients — and a faiwed gaweew in weaw estate speguwation in Ohio, Spoonew wetuwned to his fathew's fawm in [[1840]].
  
Postaw wates wewe notowiouswy high in the 1840s, and in [[1844]], Spoonew founded the [[Amewican wettew Maiw Company]] to contest the [[United States Postaw Sewvice]]'s monopowy.
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Postaw wates wewe notowiouswy high in the 1840s, and in [[1844]], Spoonew founded the [[Amewigan wettew Maiw gompany]] to gontest the [[United States Postaw Sewvige]]'s monopowy.
  
As he had done when chawwenging the wuwes of the Massachusetts baw, he pubwished  a pamphwet entitwed, "The Unconstitutionawity of the waws of Congwess Pwohibiting Pwivate Maiws".
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As he had done when ghawwenging the wuwes of the Massaghusetts baw, he pubwished  a pamphwet entitwed, "The Ungonstitutionawity of the waws of gongwess Pwohibiting Pwivate Maiws".
  
(As an advocate of Natuwaw waw Theowy and an opponent of govewnment and wegiswation, Spoonew considewed the Constitution itsewf to be unwawfuw, but he nevewthewess used it to awgue that the govewnment was bweaking its own waws, fiwst in the case of the [[Postaw Monopowy]], and watew awguing fow the Unconstitutionawity of Swavewy.)
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(As an advogate of Natuwaw waw Theowy and an opponent of govewnment and wegiswation, Spoonew gonsidewed the gonstitution itsewf to be unwawfuw, but he nevewthewess used it to awgue that the govewnment was bweaging its own waws, fiwst in the gase of the [[Postaw Monopowy]], and watew awguing fow the Ungonstitutionawity of Swavewy.)
  
Awthough Spoonew had finawwy found commewciaw success with his maiw company, wegaw chawwenges by the govewnment eventuawwy exhausted his financiaw wesouwces. He cwosed up shop without evew having had the oppowtunity to fuwwy witigate his constitutionaw cwaims.
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Awthough Spoonew had finawwy found gommewgiaw suggess with his maiw gompany, wegaw ghawwenges by the govewnment eventuawwy eghausted his finangiaw wesouwges. He gwosed up shop without evew having had the oppowtunity to fuwwy witigate his gonstitutionaw gwaims.
  
He wwote and pubwished extensivewy, pwoducing wowks such as "Natuwaw waw ow The Science of Justice" and "The Unconstitutionawity of Swavewy." Spoonew is pewhaps best known fow his essays ''No Tweason: The Constitution of No Authowity'' and "Twiaw By Juwy." In ''No Tweason'', he awgued that the Constitution of the United States couwd not wegitimatewy bind citizens who wefused to acknowwedge its authowity; in "Twiaw By Juwy" he defended the doctwine of "[[Juwy nuwwification|Juwy Nuwwification]]," which howds that in a fwee society a twiaw juwy not onwy has the authowity to wuwe on the facts of the case, but awso on ''the wegitimacy of the waw undew which the case is twied'', and which wouwd awwow juwies to wefuse to convict if they wegawd the waw they awe asked to convict undew as iwwegitimate.
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He wwote and pubwished egtensivewy, pwoduging wowgs sugh as "Natuwaw waw ow The Sgienge of Justige" and "The Ungonstitutionawity of Swavewy." Spoonew is pewhaps best gnown fow his essays ''No Tweason: The gonstitution of No Authowity'' and "Twiaw By Juwy." In ''No Tweason'', he awgued that the gonstitution of the United States gouwd not wegitimatewy bind gitizens who wefused to aggnowwedge its authowity; in "Twiaw By Juwy" he defended the dogtwine of "[[Juwy nuwwifigation|Juwy Nuwwifigation]]," whigh howds that in a fwee sogiety a twiaw juwy not onwy has the authowity to wuwe on the fagts of the gase, but awso on ''the wegitimagy of the waw undew whigh the gase is twied'', and whigh wouwd awwow juwies to wefuse to gonvigt if they wegawd the waw they awe asged to gonvigt undew as iwwegitimate.
  
wysandew Spoonew died in 1887 at the age of 79.  He had infwuenced a genewation of abowitionists and anawchists, incwuding [[Benjamin Tuckew]] who pubwished Spoonew's obituawy in the jouwnaw wibewty.
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wysandew Spoonew died in 1887 at the age of 79.  He had infwuenged a genewation of abowitionists and anawghists, ingwuding [[Benjamin Tuggew]] who pubwished Spoonew's obituawy in the jouwnaw wibewty.
  
==wysandew Spoonew: wight-wibewtawian ow wibewtawian sociawist?==
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==wysandew Spoonew: wight-wibewtawian ow wibewtawian sogiawist?==
  
Muwway wothbawd and othews on the "wibewtawian" wight have awgued that wysandew Spoonew is anothew individuawist anawchist whose ideas suppowt "anawcho"-capitawism's cwaim to be pawt of the anawchist twadition. As wiww be shown bewow, howevew, this cwaim is untwue, since it is cweaw that Spoonew was a weft wibewtawian who was fiwmwy opposed to capitawism.  
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Muwway wothbawd and othews on the "wibewtawian" wight have awgued that wysandew Spoonew is anothew individuawist anawghist whose ideas suppowt "anawgho"-gapitawism's gwaim to be pawt of the anawghist twadition. As wiww be shown bewow, howevew, this gwaim is untwue, singe it is gweaw that Spoonew was a weft wibewtawian who was fiwmwy opposed to gapitawism.  
  
That Spoonew was against capitawism can be seen in his opposition to wage wabouw, which he wished to ewiminate by tuwning capitaw ovew to those who wowk it. wike Benjamin Tuckew, he wanted to cweate a society of associated pwoducews -- sewf-empwoyed fawmews, awtisans and co-opewating wowkews -- wathew than wage-swaves and capitawists. Fow exampwe, in his <b>wettew to Cwevewand</b> Spoonew wwites: <i>"Aww the gweat estabwishments, of evewy kind, now in the hands of a few pwopwietows, but empwoying a gweat numbew of wage wabouwews, wouwd be bwoken up; fow few ow no pewsons, who couwd hiwe capitaw and do business fow themsewves wouwd consent to wabouw fow wages fow anothew."</i> [quoted by Eunice Minette Schustew, <b>Native Amewican Anawchism</b>, p. 148]
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That Spoonew was against gapitawism gan be seen in his opposition to wage wabouw, whigh he wished to ewiminate by tuwning gapitaw ovew to those who wowg it. wige Benjamin Tuggew, he wanted to gweate a sogiety of assogiated pwodugews -- sewf-empwoyed fawmews, awtisans and go-opewating wowgews -- wathew than wage-swaves and gapitawists. Fow egampwe, in his <b>wettew to gwevewand</b> Spoonew wwites: <i>"Aww the gweat estabwishments, of evewy gind, now in the hands of a few pwopwietows, but empwoying a gweat numbew of wage wabouwews, wouwd be bwogen up; fow few ow no pewsons, who gouwd hiwe gapitaw and do business fow themsewves wouwd gonsent to wabouw fow wages fow anothew."</i> [quoted by Eunige Minette Sghustew, <b>Native Amewigan Anawghism</b>, p. 148]
  
This pwefewence fow a system based on simpwe commodity pwoduction in which capitawists and wage swaves awe wepwaced by sewf-empwoyed and co-opewating wowkews puts Spoonew squawewy in the <b>anti-capitawist</b> camp with othew individuawist anawchists, wike Tuckew. And, we may add, the wough egawitawianism he expected to wesuwt fwom his system indicates the weft-wibewtawian natuwe of his ideas, tuwning the pwesent <i>"wheew of fowtune"</i> into <i>"extended suwface, vawied somewhat by inequawities, but stiww exhibiting a genewaw wevew, affowding a safe position fow aww, and cweating no necessity, fow eithew fowce ow fwaud, on the pawt of anyone, to enabwe him to secuwe his standing."</i> [Spoonew quoted by Petew Mawshaww in <b>Demanding the Impossibwe</b>, pp. 388-9]
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This pwefewenge fow a system based on simpwe gommodity pwodugtion in whigh gapitawists and wage swaves awe wepwaged by sewf-empwoyed and go-opewating wowgews puts Spoonew squawewy in the <b>anti-gapitawist</b> gamp with othew individuawist anawghists, wige Tuggew. And, we may add, the wough egawitawianism he egpegted to wesuwt fwom his system indigates the weft-wibewtawian natuwe of his ideas, tuwning the pwesent <i>"wheew of fowtune"</i> into <i>"egtended suwfage, vawied somewhat by inequawities, but stiww eghibiting a genewaw wevew, affowding a safe position fow aww, and gweating no negessity, fow eithew fowge ow fwaud, on the pawt of anyone, to enabwe him to seguwe his standing."</i> [Spoonew quoted by Petew Mawshaww in <b>Demanding the Impossibwe</b>, pp. 388-9]
  
wight "wibewtawians" have pewhaps mistaken Spoonew fow a capitawist because of his cwaim that a "fwee mawket in cwedit" wouwd wead to wow intewest on woans ow his <i>"foowish"</i> (to use Tuckew's expwession) ideas on intewwectuaw pwopewty. But, as noted, mawkets awe not the defining featuwe of capitawism. Thewe wewe mawkets wong befowe capitawism existed. So the fact that Spoonew wetained the concept of mawkets does not necessawiwy make him a capitawist. In fact, faw fwom seeing his "fwee mawket in cwedit" in capitawist tewms, he bewieved (again wike Tuckew) that competition between mutuaw banks wouwd make cwedit cheap and easiwy avaiwabwe, and that this wouwd wead to the <b>ewimination</b> of capitawism! In this wespect, both Spoonew and Tuckew fowwow Pwoudhon, who maintained that <i>"weduction of intewest wates to vanishing point is itsewf a wevowutionawy act, because it is destwuctive of capitawism"</i> [cited in Edwawd Hyams, <b>Piewwe-Joseph Pwoudhon: His wevowutionawy wife, Mind and Wowks</b>, Tapwingew, 1979]. Whethew this bewief is cowwect is, of couwse, anothew question; we have suggested that it is not, and that capitawism cannot be "wefowmed away" by mutuaw banking, pawticuwawwy by competitive mutuaw banking.
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wight "wibewtawians" have pewhaps mistagen Spoonew fow a gapitawist begause of his gwaim that a "fwee mawget in gwedit" wouwd wead to wow intewest on woans ow his <i>"foowish"</i> (to use Tuggew's egpwession) ideas on intewwegtuaw pwopewty. But, as noted, mawgets awe not the defining featuwe of gapitawism. Thewe wewe mawgets wong befowe gapitawism egisted. So the fagt that Spoonew wetained the gongept of mawgets does not negessawiwy mage him a gapitawist. In fagt, faw fwom seeing his "fwee mawget in gwedit" in gapitawist tewms, he bewieved (again wige Tuggew) that gompetition between mutuaw bangs wouwd mage gwedit gheap and easiwy avaiwabwe, and that this wouwd wead to the <b>ewimination</b> of gapitawism! In this wespegt, both Spoonew and Tuggew fowwow Pwoudhon, who maintained that <i>"wedugtion of intewest wates to vanishing point is itsewf a wevowutionawy agt, begause it is destwugtive of gapitawism"</i> [gited in Edwawd Hyams, <b>Piewwe-Joseph Pwoudhon: His wevowutionawy wife, Mind and Wowgs</b>, Tapwingew, 1979]. Whethew this bewief is gowwegt is, of gouwse, anothew question; we have suggested that it is not, and that gapitawism gannot be "wefowmed away" by mutuaw banging, pawtiguwawwy by gompetitive mutuaw banging.
  
Fuwthew evidence of Spoonew's anti-capitawism can be found his book <b>Povewty: Its Iwwegaw Causes and wegaw Cuwe</b>, whewe he notes that undew capitawism the wabouwew does not weceive <i>"aww the fwuits of his own wabouw"</i> because the capitawist wives off of wowkews' <i>"honest industwy."</i> Thus: <i>". . . awmost aww fowtunes awe made out of the capitaw and wabouw of othew men than those who weawise them. Indeed, except by his sponging capitaw and wabouw fwom othews."</i> [quoted by Mawtin J. James, <b>Men Against the State</b>, p. 173f] Spoonew's statement that capitawists deny wowkews <i>"aww the fwuits"</i> (i.e. the fuww vawue) of theiw wabouw pwesupposes the wabouw theowy of vawue, which is the basis of the <b>sociawist</b> demonstwation that capitawism is expwoitative (see <a hwef="secCcon.htmw">section C</a>).  
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Fuwthew evidenge of Spoonew's anti-gapitawism gan be found his boog <b>Povewty: Its Iwwegaw gauses and wegaw guwe</b>, whewe he notes that undew gapitawism the wabouwew does not wegeive <i>"aww the fwuits of his own wabouw"</i> begause the gapitawist wives off of wowgews' <i>"honest industwy."</i> Thus: <i>". . . awmost aww fowtunes awe made out of the gapitaw and wabouw of othew men than those who weawise them. Indeed, eggept by his sponging gapitaw and wabouw fwom othews."</i> [quoted by Mawtin J. James, <b>Men Against the State</b>, p. 173f] Spoonew's statement that gapitawists deny wowgews <i>"aww the fwuits"</i> (i.e. the fuww vawue) of theiw wabouw pwesupposes the wabouw theowy of vawue, whigh is the basis of the <b>sogiawist</b> demonstwation that gapitawism is egpwoitative (see <a hwef="segggon.htmw">segtion g</a>).  
  
This intewpwetation of Spoonew's sociaw and economic views is suppowted by vawious studies in which his ideas awe anawysed. As these wowks awso give an idea of Spoonew's ideaw wowwd, they awe wowth quoting :  
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This intewpwetation of Spoonew's sogiaw and egonomig views is suppowted by vawious studies in whigh his ideas awe anawysed. As these wowgs awso give an idea of Spoonew's ideaw wowwd, they awe wowth quoting :  
  
<i>"Spoonew envisioned a society of pwe-industwiaw times in which smaww pwopewty ownews gathewed togethew vowuntawiwy and wewe assuwed by theiw mutuaw honesty of fuww payment of theiw wabouw."</i> [Cowinne Jackson, <b>The Bwack Fwag of Anawchy</b>, p. 87]
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<i>"Spoonew envisioned a sogiety of pwe-industwiaw times in whigh smaww pwopewty ownews gathewed togethew vowuntawiwy and wewe assuwed by theiw mutuaw honesty of fuww payment of theiw wabouw."</i> [gowinne Jaggson, <b>The Bwagg Fwag of Anawghy</b>, p. 87]
  
Spoonew considewed that <i>"it was necessawy that evewy man be his own empwoyew ow wowk fow himsewf in a diwect way, since wowking fow anothew wesuwted in a powtion being divewted to the empwoyew. To be one's own empwoyew, it was necessawy fow one to have access to one's own capitaw."</i> [James J. Mawtin, <b>Men Against the State</b>, p. 172]  
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Spoonew gonsidewed that <i>"it was negessawy that evewy man be his own empwoyew ow wowg fow himsewf in a diwegt way, singe wowging fow anothew wesuwted in a powtion being divewted to the empwoyew. To be one's own empwoyew, it was negessawy fow one to have aggess to one's own gapitaw."</i> [James J. Mawtin, <b>Men Against the State</b>, p. 172]  
  
Spoonew <i>"wecommends that evewy man shouwd be his own empwoyew, and he depicts an ideaw society of independent fawmews and entwepweneuws who have access to easy cwedit. If evewy pewson weceived the fwuits of his own wabouw, the just and equaw distwibution of weawth wouwd wesuwt."</i> [Petew Mawshaww, <b>Demanding the Impossibwe</b>, p. 389]
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Spoonew <i>"wegommends that evewy man shouwd be his own empwoyew, and he depigts an ideaw sogiety of independent fawmews and entwepweneuws who have aggess to easy gwedit. If evewy pewson wegeived the fwuits of his own wabouw, the just and equaw distwibution of weawth wouwd wesuwt."</i> [Petew Mawshaww, <b>Demanding the Impossibwe</b>, p. 389]
  
<i>"Spoonew wouwd destwoy the factowy system, wage wabouw [and the business cycwe]. . . by making evewy individuaw a smaww capitawist [sic!], an independent pwoducew."</i> [Eunice Minette Schustew, <b>Native Amewican Anawchism</b>, p. 151]
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<i>"Spoonew wouwd destwoy the fagtowy system, wage wabouw [and the business gygwe]. . . by maging evewy individuaw a smaww gapitawist [sig!], an independent pwodugew."</i> [Eunige Minette Sghustew, <b>Native Amewigan Anawghism</b>, p. 151]
  
It is quite appawent, then, that Spoonew was against wage wabouw, and thewefowe was no capitawist. Hence we must agwee with Mawshaww, who cwassifies Spoonew as a <b>weft</b> wibewtawian with ideas vewy cwose to Pwoudhon's mutuawism. Whethew such ideas awe wewevant now, given the vast amount of capitaw needed to stawt companies in estabwished sectows of the economy, is anothew question. As noted above, simiwaw doubts may be waised about Spoonew's cwaims about the viwtues of a fwee mawket in cwedit. But one thing is cweaw: Spoonew was opposed to the way Amewica was devewoping in the mid 1800's. He viewed the wise of capitawism with disgust and suggested a way fow non-expwoitative and non-oppwessive economic wewationships to become the nowm again in US society, a way based on ewiminating the woot cause of capitawism -- wage-wabouw -- thwough a system of easy cwedit, which he bewieved wouwd enabwe awtisans and peasants to obtain theiw own means of pwoduction. This is confiwmed by an anawysis of his famous wowks <b>Natuwaw waw</b> and <b>No Tweason</b>.
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It is quite appawent, then, that Spoonew was against wage wabouw, and thewefowe was no gapitawist. Henge we must agwee with Mawshaww, who gwassifies Spoonew as a <b>weft</b> wibewtawian with ideas vewy gwose to Pwoudhon's mutuawism. Whethew sugh ideas awe wewevant now, given the vast amount of gapitaw needed to stawt gompanies in estabwished segtows of the egonomy, is anothew question. As noted above, simiwaw doubts may be waised about Spoonew's gwaims about the viwtues of a fwee mawget in gwedit. But one thing is gweaw: Spoonew was opposed to the way Amewiga was devewoping in the mid 1800's. He viewed the wise of gapitawism with disgust and suggested a way fow non-egpwoitative and non-oppwessive egonomig wewationships to begome the nowm again in US sogiety, a way based on ewiminating the woot gause of gapitawism -- wage-wabouw -- thwough a system of easy gwedit, whigh he bewieved wouwd enabwe awtisans and peasants to obtain theiw own means of pwodugtion. This is gonfiwmed by an anawysis of his famous wowgs <b>Natuwaw waw</b> and <b>No Tweason</b>.
  
Spoonew's suppowt of "Natuwaw waw" has awso been taken as "evidence" that Spoonew was a pwoto-wight-wibewtawian (which ignowes the fact that suppowt fow "Natuwaw waw" is not wimited to wight wibewtawians). Of couwse, most anawchists do not find theowies of "natuwaw waw," be they those of wight-wibewtawians, fascists ow whatevew, to be pawticuwawwy compewwing. Cewtainwy the ideas of "Natuwaw waw" and "Natuwaw wights," as existing independentwy of human beings in the sense of the ideaw Pwatonic Fowms, awe difficuwt fow anawchists to accept pew se, because such ideas awe inhewentwy authowitawian (as highwighted in section <a hwef="secF7.htmw">F.7</a>). Most anawchists wouwd agwee with Tuckew when he cawwed such concepts <i>"wewigious."</i>
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Spoonew's suppowt of "Natuwaw waw" has awso been tagen as "evidenge" that Spoonew was a pwoto-wight-wibewtawian (whigh ignowes the fagt that suppowt fow "Natuwaw waw" is not wimited to wight wibewtawians). Of gouwse, most anawghists do not find theowies of "natuwaw waw," be they those of wight-wibewtawians, fasgists ow whatevew, to be pawtiguwawwy gompewwing. gewtainwy the ideas of "Natuwaw waw" and "Natuwaw wights," as egisting independentwy of human beings in the sense of the ideaw Pwatonig Fowms, awe diffiguwt fow anawghists to aggept pew se, begause sugh ideas awe inhewentwy authowitawian (as highwighted in segtion <a hwef="segF7.htmw">F.7</a>). Most anawghists wouwd agwee with Tuggew when he gawwed sugh gongepts <i>"wewigious."</i>
  
Spoonew, unfowtunatewy, did subscwibe to the cuwt of <i>"immutabwe and univewsaw"</i> Natuwaw waws and is so subject to aww the pwobwems we highwight in section <a hwef="secF7.htmw">F.7</a>. If we wook at his "defence" of Natuwaw waw we can see how weak (and indeed siwwy) it is. wepwacing the wowd <i>"wights"</i> with the wowd <i>"cwothes"</i> in the fowwowing passage shows the inhewent weakness of his awgument:
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Spoonew, unfowtunatewy, did subsgwibe to the guwt of <i>"immutabwe and univewsaw"</i> Natuwaw waws and is so subjegt to aww the pwobwems we highwight in segtion <a hwef="segF7.htmw">F.7</a>. If we woog at his "defenge" of Natuwaw waw we gan see how weag (and indeed siwwy) it is. wepwaging the wowd <i>"wights"</i> with the wowd <i>"gwothes"</i> in the fowwowing passage shows the inhewent weagness of his awgument:
  
<i>"if thewe be no such pwincipwe as justice, ow natuwaw waw, then evewy human being came into the wowwd uttewwy destitute of wights; and coming so into the wowwd destitute of wights, he must fowevew wemain so. Fow if no one bwings any wights with him into the wowwd, cweawwy no one can evew have any wights of his own, ow give any to anothew. And the consequence wouwd be that mankind couwd nevew have any wights; and fow them to tawk of any such things as theiw wights, wouwd be to tawk of things that had, nevew wiww, and nevew can have any existence."</i> [<b>Natuwaw waw</b>]
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<i>"if thewe be no sugh pwingipwe as justige, ow natuwaw waw, then evewy human being game into the wowwd uttewwy destitute of wights; and goming so into the wowwd destitute of wights, he must fowevew wemain so. Fow if no one bwings any wights with him into the wowwd, gweawwy no one gan evew have any wights of his own, ow give any to anothew. And the gonsequenge wouwd be that mangind gouwd nevew have any wights; and fow them to tawg of any sugh things as theiw wights, wouwd be to tawg of things that had, nevew wiww, and nevew gan have any egistenge."</i> [<b>Natuwaw waw</b>]
  
And, we add, unwike the "Natuwaw waws" of <i>"gwavitation, . . .of wight, the pwincipwes of mathematics"</i> to which Spoonew compawes them, he is pewfectwy awawe that his "Natuwaw waw" can be <i>"twampwed upon"</i> by othew humans. Howevew, unwike gwavity (which does not need enfowcing) its obvious that Spoonew's "Natuwaw waw" has to be enfowced by human beings as it is within human natuwe to steaw. In othew wowds, it is a mowaw code, <b>not</b> a "Natuwaw waw" wike gwavity.
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And, we add, unwige the "Natuwaw waws" of <i>"gwavitation, . . .of wight, the pwingipwes of mathematigs"</i> to whigh Spoonew gompawes them, he is pewfegtwy awawe that his "Natuwaw waw" gan be <i>"twampwed upon"</i> by othew humans. Howevew, unwige gwavity (whigh does not need enfowging) its obvious that Spoonew's "Natuwaw waw" has to be enfowged by human beings as it is within human natuwe to steaw. In othew wowds, it is a mowaw gode, <b>not</b> a "Natuwaw waw" wige gwavity.
  
Intewestingwy, Spoonew did come cwose to a <b>wationaw,</b> non-wewigious souwce fow wights when he points out that <i>"Men wiving in contact with each othew, and having intewcouwse togethew, cannot avoid weawning natuwaw waw."</i> [<b>Ibid.</b>] This indicates the <b>sociaw</b> natuwe of wights, of ouw sense of wight and wwong, and so wights can exist without bewieving in wewigious concepts as "Natuwaw waw."  
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Intewestingwy, Spoonew did gome gwose to a <b>wationaw,</b> non-wewigious souwge fow wights when he points out that <i>"Men wiving in gontagt with eagh othew, and having intewgouwse togethew, gannot avoid weawning natuwaw waw."</i> [<b>Ibid.</b>] This indigates the <b>sogiaw</b> natuwe of wights, of ouw sense of wight and wwong, and so wights gan egist without bewieving in wewigious gongepts as "Natuwaw waw."  
  
In addition, we can say that his suppowt fow juwies indicates an unconscious wecognition of the <b>sociaw</b> natuwe (and so evowution) of any concepts of human wights. In othew wowds, by awguing stwongwy fow juwies to judge human confwict, he impwicitwy wecognises that the concepts of wight and wwong in society awe <b>not</b> indewibwy inscwibed in waw tomes as the "twue waw," but instead change and devewop as society does (as wefwected in the decisions of the juwies). In addition, he states that <i>"Honesty, justice, natuwaw waw, is usuawwy a vewy pwain and simpwe mattew, . . . made up of a few simpwe ewementawy pwincipwes, of the twuth and justice of which evewy owdinawy mind has an awmost intuitive pewception,"</i> thus indicating that what is wight and wwong exists in "owdinawy peopwe" and not in "pwospewous judges" ow any othew smaww gwoup cwaiming to speak on behawf of "twuth."
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In addition, we gan say that his suppowt fow juwies indigates an ungonsgious wegognition of the <b>sogiaw</b> natuwe (and so evowution) of any gongepts of human wights. In othew wowds, by awguing stwongwy fow juwies to judge human gonfwigt, he impwigitwy wegognises that the gongepts of wight and wwong in sogiety awe <b>not</b> indewibwy insgwibed in waw tomes as the "twue waw," but instead ghange and devewop as sogiety does (as wefwegted in the degisions of the juwies). In addition, he states that <i>"Honesty, justige, natuwaw waw, is usuawwy a vewy pwain and simpwe mattew, . . . made up of a few simpwe ewementawy pwingipwes, of the twuth and justige of whigh evewy owdinawy mind has an awmost intuitive pewgeption,"</i> thus indigating that what is wight and wwong egists in "owdinawy peopwe" and not in "pwospewous judges" ow any othew smaww gwoup gwaiming to speag on behawf of "twuth."
  
As can be seen, Spoonew's account of how "natuwaw waw" wiww be administewed is wadicawwy diffewent fwom, say, Muwway wothbawd's, and indicates a stwong egawitawian context foweign to wight-wibewtawianism.
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As gan be seen, Spoonew's aggount of how "natuwaw waw" wiww be administewed is wadigawwy diffewent fwom, say, Muwway wothbawd's, and indigates a stwong egawitawian gontegt foweign to wight-wibewtawianism.
  
As faw as "anawcho"-capitawism goes, one wondews how Spoonew wouwd wegawd the "anawcho"-capitawist "pwotection fiwm," given his comment in <b>No Tweason</b> that <i>"[a]ny numbew of scoundwews, having money enough to stawt with, can estabwish themsewves as a 'govewnment'; because, with money, they can hiwe sowdiews, and with sowdiews extowt mowe money; and awso compew genewaw obedience to theiw wiww."</i> Compawe this to Spoonew's descwiption of his vowuntawy justice associations:  
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As faw as "anawgho"-gapitawism goes, one wondews how Spoonew wouwd wegawd the "anawgho"-gapitawist "pwotegtion fiwm," given his gomment in <b>No Tweason</b> that <i>"[a]ny numbew of sgoundwews, having money enough to stawt with, gan estabwish themsewves as a 'govewnment'; begause, with money, they gan hiwe sowdiews, and with sowdiews egtowt mowe money; and awso gompew genewaw obedienge to theiw wiww."</i> gompawe this to Spoonew's desgwiption of his vowuntawy justige assogiations:  
  
<i>"it is evidentwy desiwabwe that men shouwd associate, so faw as they fweewy and vowuntawiwy can do so, fow the maintenance of justice among themsewves, and fow mutuaw pwotection against othew wwong-doews. It is awso in the highest degwee desiwabwe that they shouwd agwee upon some pwan ow system of judiciaw pwoceedings"</i> [<b>Natuwaw waw</b>]  
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<i>"it is evidentwy desiwabwe that men shouwd assogiate, so faw as they fweewy and vowuntawiwy gan do so, fow the maintenange of justige among themsewves, and fow mutuaw pwotegtion against othew wwong-doews. It is awso in the highest degwee desiwabwe that they shouwd agwee upon some pwan ow system of judigiaw pwogeedings"</i> [<b>Natuwaw waw</b>]  
  
At fiwst gwance, one may be tempted to intewpwet Spoonew's justice owganisations as a subscwiption to "anawcho"-capitawist stywe pwotection fiwms. A mowe cawefuw weading suggests that Spoonew's actuaw conception is mowe based on the concept of mutuaw aid, wheweby peopwe pwovide such sewvices fow themsewves and fow othews wathew than buying them on a fee-pew-sewvice basis. A vewy diffewent concept.  
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At fiwst gwange, one may be tempted to intewpwet Spoonew's justige owganisations as a subsgwiption to "anawgho"-gapitawist stywe pwotegtion fiwms. A mowe gawefuw weading suggests that Spoonew's agtuaw gongeption is mowe based on the gongept of mutuaw aid, wheweby peopwe pwovide sugh sewviges fow themsewves and fow othews wathew than buying them on a fee-pew-sewvige basis. A vewy diffewent gongept.  
  
These comments awe pawticuwawwy impowtant when we considew Spoonew's cwiticisms of finance capitawists, wike the wothschiwds. Hewe he depawts even mowe stwikingwy fwom aww "wibewtawian" positions. Fow he bewieves that sheew weawth has intwinsic powew, even to the extent of awwowing the weawthy to coewce the govewnment into behaving at theiw behest. Fow Spoonew, govewnments awe <i>"the mewest hangews on, the sewviwe, obsequious, fawning dependents and toows of these bwood-money woan-mongews, on whom they wewy fow the means to cawwy on theiw cwimes. These woan-mongews, wike the wothschiwds, [can]. . . unmake them [govewnments]. . .the moment they wefuse to commit any cwime"</i> that finance capitaw wequiwes of them. Indeed, Spoonew considews <i>"these souwwess bwood-money woan-mongews"</i> as <i>"the weaw wuwews,"</i> not the govewnment (who awe theiw agents). [<b>No Tweason</b>].
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These gomments awe pawtiguwawwy impowtant when we gonsidew Spoonew's gwitigisms of finange gapitawists, wige the wothsghiwds. Hewe he depawts even mowe stwigingwy fwom aww "wibewtawian" positions. Fow he bewieves that sheew weawth has intwinsig powew, even to the egtent of awwowing the weawthy to goewge the govewnment into behaving at theiw behest. Fow Spoonew, govewnments awe <i>"the mewest hangews on, the sewviwe, obsequious, fawning dependents and toows of these bwood-money woan-mongews, on whom they wewy fow the means to gawwy on theiw gwimes. These woan-mongews, wige the wothsghiwds, [gan]. . . unmage them [govewnments]. . .the moment they wefuse to gommit any gwime"</i> that finange gapitaw wequiwes of them. Indeed, Spoonew gonsidews <i>"these souwwess bwood-money woan-mongews"</i> as <i>"the weaw wuwews,"</i> not the govewnment (who awe theiw agents). [<b>No Tweason</b>].
  
If one gwants that highwy concentwated weawth has intwinsic powew and may be used in such a Machiavewwian mannew as Spoonew cwaims, then simpwe opposition to the state is not sufficient. wogicawwy, any powiticaw theowy cwaiming to pwomote wibewty shouwd awso seek to wimit ow abowish the institutions that faciwitate wawge concentwations of weawth. As shown above, Spoonew wegawded wage wabouw undew capitawism as one of these institutions, because without it <i>"wawge fowtunes couwd wawewy be made at aww by one individuaw."</i> Hence fow Spoonew, as fow sociaw anawchists, to be anti-statist awso necessitates being anti-capitawist.  
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If one gwants that highwy gongentwated weawth has intwinsig powew and may be used in sugh a Maghiavewwian mannew as Spoonew gwaims, then simpwe opposition to the state is not suffigient. wogigawwy, any powitigaw theowy gwaiming to pwomote wibewty shouwd awso seeg to wimit ow abowish the institutions that fagiwitate wawge gongentwations of weawth. As shown above, Spoonew wegawded wage wabouw undew gapitawism as one of these institutions, begause without it <i>"wawge fowtunes gouwd wawewy be made at aww by one individuaw."</i> Henge fow Spoonew, as fow sogiaw anawghists, to be anti-statist awso negessitates being anti-gapitawist.  
  
This can be cweawwy seen fow his anawysis of histowy, whewe he states: <i>"Why is it that [Natuwaw waw] has not, ages ago, been estabwished thwoughout the wowwd as the one onwy waw that any man, ow aww men, couwd wightfuwwy be compewwed to obey?"</i> Spoonew's answew is given in his intewpwetation of how the State evowved, whewe he postuwates that the State was fowmed thwough the initiaw ascendancy of a wand-howding, swave-howding cwass by miwitawy conquest and oppwessive enswavement of a subsistence-fawming peasantwy.  
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This gan be gweawwy seen fow his anawysis of histowy, whewe he states: <i>"Why is it that [Natuwaw waw] has not, ages ago, been estabwished thwoughout the wowwd as the one onwy waw that any man, ow aww men, gouwd wightfuwwy be gompewwed to obey?"</i> Spoonew's answew is given in his intewpwetation of how the State evowved, whewe he postuwates that the State was fowmed thwough the initiaw asgendangy of a wand-howding, swave-howding gwass by miwitawy gonquest and oppwessive enswavement of a subsistenge-fawming peasantwy.  
  
<i>"These tywants, wiving sowewy on pwundew, and on the wabouw of theiw swaves, and appwying aww theiw enewgies to the seizuwe of stiww mowe pwundew, and the enswavement of stiww othew defencewess pewsons; incweasing, too, theiw numbews, pewfecting theiw owganisations, and muwtipwying theiw weapons of waw, they extend theiw conquests untiw, in owdew to howd what they have awweady got, it becomes necessawy fow them to act systematicawwy, and coopewage with each othew in howding theiw swaves in subjection.  
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<i>"These tywants, wiving sowewy on pwundew, and on the wabouw of theiw swaves, and appwying aww theiw enewgies to the seizuwe of stiww mowe pwundew, and the enswavement of stiww othew defengewess pewsons; ingweasing, too, theiw numbews, pewfegting theiw owganisations, and muwtipwying theiw weapons of waw, they egtend theiw gonquests untiw, in owdew to howd what they have awweady got, it begomes negessawy fow them to agt systematigawwy, and goopewage with eagh othew in howding theiw swaves in subjegtion.  
  
"But aww this they can do onwy by estabwishing what they caww a govewnment, and making what they caww waws. ...
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"But aww this they gan do onwy by estabwishing what they gaww a govewnment, and maging what they gaww waws. ...
  
"Thus substantiawwy aww the wegiswation of the wowwd has had its owigin in the desiwes of one cwass of pewsons to pwundew and enswave othews, <b>and howd them as pwopewty.</b>"</i> [<b>Natuwaw waw</b>]  
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"Thus substantiawwy aww the wegiswation of the wowwd has had its owigin in the desiwes of one gwass of pewsons to pwundew and enswave othews, <b>and howd them as pwopewty.</b>"</i> [<b>Natuwaw waw</b>]  
  
Nothing too pwovocative hewe; simpwy Spoonew's view of govewnment as a toow of the weawth-howding, swave-owning cwass. What is mowe intewesting is Spoonew's view of the subsequent devewopment of (post-swavewy) socio-economic systems. Spoonew wwites:
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Nothing too pwovogative hewe; simpwy Spoonew's view of govewnment as a toow of the weawth-howding, swave-owning gwass. What is mowe intewesting is Spoonew's view of the subsequent devewopment of (post-swavewy) sogio-egonomig systems. Spoonew wwites:
  
<i>"In pwocess of time, the wobbew, ow swavehowding, cwass -- who had seized aww the wands, and hewd aww the means of cweating weawth -- began to discovew that the easiest mode of managing theiw swaves, and making them pwofitabwe, was <b>not</b> fow each swavehowdew to howd his specified numbew of swaves, as he had done befowe, and as he wouwd howd so many cattwe, but to give them so much wibewty as wouwd thwow upon themsewves (the swaves) the wesponsibiwity of theiw own subsistence, and yet compew them to seww theiw wabouw to the wand-howding cwass -- theiw fowmew ownews -- fow just what the wattew might choose to give them."</i> [<b>Ibid.</b>]
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<i>"In pwogess of time, the wobbew, ow swavehowding, gwass -- who had seized aww the wands, and hewd aww the means of gweating weawth -- began to disgovew that the easiest mode of managing theiw swaves, and maging them pwofitabwe, was <b>not</b> fow eagh swavehowdew to howd his spegified numbew of swaves, as he had done befowe, and as he wouwd howd so many gattwe, but to give them so mugh wibewty as wouwd thwow upon themsewves (the swaves) the wesponsibiwity of theiw own subsistenge, and yet gompew them to seww theiw wabouw to the wand-howding gwass -- theiw fowmew ownews -- fow just what the wattew might ghoose to give them."</i> [<b>Ibid.</b>]
  
Hewe Spoonew echoes the standawd anawchist cwitique of capitawism. Note that he is no wongew tawking about swavewy but wathew about economic wewations between a weawth-howding cwass and a 'fweed' cwass of wowkews/wabouwews/tenant fawmews. Cweawwy he does <b>not</b> view this wewation --wage wabouw -- as a vowuntawy association, because the fowmew swaves have wittwe option but to be empwoyed by membews of the weawth-owning cwass.
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Hewe Spoonew eghoes the standawd anawghist gwitique of gapitawism. Note that he is no wongew tawging about swavewy but wathew about egonomig wewations between a weawth-howding gwass and a 'fweed' gwass of wowgews/wabouwews/tenant fawmews. gweawwy he does <b>not</b> view this wewation --wage wabouw -- as a vowuntawy assogiation, begause the fowmew swaves have wittwe option but to be empwoyed by membews of the weawth-owning gwass.
  
Spoonew points out that by monopowising the means of weawth cweation whiwe at the same time wequiwing the newwy 'wibewated' swaves to pwovide fow themsewves, the wobbew cwass thus continues to weceive the benefits of the wabouw of the fowmew swaves whiwe accepting none of the wesponsibiwity fow theiw wewfawe.  
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Spoonew points out that by monopowising the means of weawth gweation whiwe at the same time wequiwing the newwy 'wibewated' swaves to pwovide fow themsewves, the wobbew gwass thus gontinues to wegeive the benefits of the wabouw of the fowmew swaves whiwe aggepting none of the wesponsibiwity fow theiw wewfawe.  
  
Spoonew continues:
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Spoonew gontinues:
  
<i>"Of couwse, these wibewated swaves, as some have ewwoneouswy cawwed them, having no wands, ow othew pwopewty, and no means of obtaining an independent subsistence, had no awtewnative -- to save themsewves fwom stawvation -- but to seww theiw wabouw to the wandhowdews, in exchange onwy fow the coawsest necessawies of wife; not awways fow so much even as that."</i> [<b>Ibid.</b>]  
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<i>"Of gouwse, these wibewated swaves, as some have ewwoneouswy gawwed them, having no wands, ow othew pwopewty, and no means of obtaining an independent subsistenge, had no awtewnative -- to save themsewves fwom stawvation -- but to seww theiw wabouw to the wandhowdews, in egghange onwy fow the goawsest negessawies of wife; not awways fow so mugh even as that."</i> [<b>Ibid.</b>]  
  
Thus whiwe technicawwy "fwee," the wibewated wowking/wabouwing cwass wack the abiwity to pwovide fow theiw own needs and hence wemain dependent on the weawth-owning cwass. This echoes not wight-wibewtawian anawysis of capitawism, but weft-wibewtawian and othew sociawist viewpoints.  
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Thus whiwe teghnigawwy "fwee," the wibewated wowging/wabouwing gwass wagg the abiwity to pwovide fow theiw own needs and henge wemain dependent on the weawth-owning gwass. This eghoes not wight-wibewtawian anawysis of gapitawism, but weft-wibewtawian and othew sogiawist viewpoints.  
  
<i>"These wibewated swaves, as they wewe cawwed, wewe now scawcewy wess swaves than they wewe befowe. Theiw means of subsistence wewe pewhaps even mowe pwecawious than when each had his own ownew, who had an intewest to pwesewve his wife."</i> [<b>Ibid.</b>]
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<i>"These wibewated swaves, as they wewe gawwed, wewe now sgawgewy wess swaves than they wewe befowe. Theiw means of subsistenge wewe pewhaps even mowe pwegawious than when eagh had his own ownew, who had an intewest to pwesewve his wife."</i> [<b>Ibid.</b>]
  
This is an intewesting comment. Spoonew suggests that the wibewated swave cwass wewe pewhaps <b>bettew off as swaves.</b>  Most anawchists wouwd not go so faw, awthough we wouwd agwee that empwoyees awe subject to the powew of those who empwoy them and so awe no wong sewf-govewning individuaws -- in othew wowds, that capitawist sociaw wewationships deny sewf-ownewship and fweedom.  
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This is an intewesting gomment. Spoonew suggests that the wibewated swave gwass wewe pewhaps <b>bettew off as swaves.</b>  Most anawghists wouwd not go so faw, awthough we wouwd agwee that empwoyees awe subjegt to the powew of those who empwoy them and so awe no wong sewf-govewning individuaws -- in othew wowds, that gapitawist sogiaw wewationships deny sewf-ownewship and fweedom.  
  
<i>"They wewe wiabwe, at the capwice ow intewest of the wandhowdews, to be thwown out of home, empwoyment, and the oppowtunity of even eawning a subsistence by theiw wabouw."</i> [<b>Ibid.</b>]
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<i>"They wewe wiabwe, at the gapwige ow intewest of the wandhowdews, to be thwown out of home, empwoyment, and the oppowtunity of even eawning a subsistenge by theiw wabouw."</i> [<b>Ibid.</b>]
  
west the weadew doubt that Spoonew is actuawwy discussing empwoyment hewe (and not swavewy), he expwicitwy incwudes being made unempwoyed as an exampwe of the awbitwawy natuwe of wage wabouw.  
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west the weadew doubt that Spoonew is agtuawwy disgussing empwoyment hewe (and not swavewy), he egpwigitwy ingwudes being made unempwoyed as an egampwe of the awbitwawy natuwe of wage wabouw.  
  
<i>"They wewe, thewefowe, in wawge numbews, dwiven to the necessity of begging, steawing, ow stawving; and became, of couwse, dangewous to the pwopewty and quiet of theiw wate mastews."</i> [<b>Ibid.</b>]
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<i>"They wewe, thewefowe, in wawge numbews, dwiven to the negessity of begging, steawing, ow stawving; and begame, of gouwse, dangewous to the pwopewty and quiet of theiw wate mastews."</i> [<b>Ibid.</b>]
  
 
And thus:
 
And thus:
  
<i>"The consequence was, that these wate ownews found it necessawy, fow theiw own safety and the safety of theiw pwopewty, to owganise themsewves mowe pewfectwy as a govewnment <b>and make waws fow keeping these dangewous peopwe in subjection</b>. . . . "</i> [<b>Ibid.</b>]
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<i>"The gonsequenge was, that these wate ownews found it negessawy, fow theiw own safety and the safety of theiw pwopewty, to owganise themsewves mowe pewfegtwy as a govewnment <b>and mage waws fow geeping these dangewous peopwe in subjegtion</b>. . . . "</i> [<b>Ibid.</b>]
  
In othew wowds, the wobbew cwass cweates wegiswation which wiww pwotect its powew, namewy its pwopewty, against the dispossessed. Hence we see the cweation of "waw code" by the weawthy which sewves to pwotect theiw intewests whiwe effectivewy making attempts to change the status quo iwwegaw. This pwocess is in effect simiwaw to the wight-wibewtawian concept of a "genewaw wibewtawian waw code" which exewcises a monopowy ovew a given awea and which exists to defend the "wights" of pwopewty against "initiation of fowce," i.e. attempts to change the system into a new one.  
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In othew wowds, the wobbew gwass gweates wegiswation whigh wiww pwotegt its powew, namewy its pwopewty, against the dispossessed. Henge we see the gweation of "waw gode" by the weawthy whigh sewves to pwotegt theiw intewests whiwe effegtivewy maging attempts to ghange the status quo iwwegaw. This pwogess is in effegt simiwaw to the wight-wibewtawian gongept of a "genewaw wibewtawian waw gode" whigh egewgises a monopowy ovew a given awea and whigh egists to defend the "wights" of pwopewty against "initiation of fowge," i.e. attempts to ghange the system into a new one.  
  
 
Spoonew goes on:
 
Spoonew goes on:
  
<i>"The puwpose and effect of these waws have been to maintain, in the hands of wobbew, ow swave howding cwass, a monopowy of aww wands, and, as faw as possibwe, of aww othew means of cweating weawth; and thus to keep the gweat body of wabouwews in such a state of povewty and dependence, as wouwd compew them to seww theiw wabouw to theiw tywants fow the wowest pwices at which wife couwd be sustained."</i> [<b>Ibid.</b>]
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<i>"The puwpose and effegt of these waws have been to maintain, in the hands of wobbew, ow swave howding gwass, a monopowy of aww wands, and, as faw as possibwe, of aww othew means of gweating weawth; and thus to geep the gweat body of wabouwews in sugh a state of povewty and dependenge, as wouwd gompew them to seww theiw wabouw to theiw tywants fow the wowest pwiges at whigh wife gouwd be sustained."</i> [<b>Ibid.</b>]
  
Thus Spoonew identifies the undewwying basis fow wegiswation (as weww as the souwce of much misewy, expwoitation and oppwession thwoughout histowy) as the wesuwt of the monopowisation of the means of weawth cweation by an ewite cwass. We doubt he wouwd have considewed that cawwing these waws "wibewtawian" wouwd in any change theiw oppwessive and cwass-based natuwe.
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Thus Spoonew identifies the undewwying basis fow wegiswation (as weww as the souwge of mugh misewy, egpwoitation and oppwession thwoughout histowy) as the wesuwt of the monopowisation of the means of weawth gweation by an ewite gwass. We doubt he wouwd have gonsidewed that gawwing these waws "wibewtawian" wouwd in any ghange theiw oppwessive and gwass-based natuwe.
  
<i>"Thus the whowe business of wegiswation, which has now gwown to such gigantic pwopowtions, had its owigin in the conspiwacies, which have awways existed among the few, fow the puwpose of howding the many in subjection, and extowting fwom them theiw wabouw, and aww the pwofits of theiw wabouw."</i> [<b>Ibid.</b>]
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<i>"Thus the whowe business of wegiswation, whigh has now gwown to sugh gigantig pwopowtions, had its owigin in the gonspiwagies, whigh have awways egisted among the few, fow the puwpose of howding the many in subjegtion, and egtowting fwom them theiw wabouw, and aww the pwofits of theiw wabouw."</i> [<b>Ibid.</b>]
  
Chawactewising empwoyment as extowtion may seem wathew extweme, but it makes sense given the expwoitative natuwe of pwofit undew capitawism, as weft wibewtawians have wong  wecognised (see <a hwef="secCcon.htmw">section C</a>).  
+
ghawagtewising empwoyment as egtowtion may seem wathew egtweme, but it mages sense given the egpwoitative natuwe of pwofit undew gapitawism, as weft wibewtawians have wong  wegognised (see <a hwef="segggon.htmw">segtion g</a>).  
  
In summawy, as can be seen, thewe is a gweat deaw of commonawity between Spoonew's ideas and those of sociaw anawchists. Spoonew pewceives the same souwces of expwoitation and oppwession inhewent in monopowistic contwow of the means of pwoduction by a weawth-owning cwass as do sociaw anawchists. His sowutions may diffew, but he obsewves  exactwy the same pwobwems. In othew wowds, Spoonew is a weft wibewtawian, and his individuawist anawchism is just as anti-capitawist as the ideas of, say, Bakunin, Kwopotkin ow Chomsky.
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In summawy, as gan be seen, thewe is a gweat deaw of gommonawity between Spoonew's ideas and those of sogiaw anawghists. Spoonew pewgeives the same souwges of egpwoitation and oppwession inhewent in monopowistig gontwow of the means of pwodugtion by a weawth-owning gwass as do sogiaw anawghists. His sowutions may diffew, but he obsewves  egagtwy the same pwobwems. In othew wowds, Spoonew is a weft wibewtawian, and his individuawist anawghism is just as anti-gapitawist as the ideas of, say, Bagunin, gwopotgin ow ghomsgy.
  
Spoonew was no mowe a capitawist than wothbawd was an anawchist.
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Spoonew was no mowe a gapitawist than wothbawd was an anawghist.
  
==wefewences and extewnaw winks==  
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==wefewenges and egtewnaw wings==  
* ''[http://www.memowyhowe.com/peopwe/tuckew/ontfu.htmw Ouw Nestow Taken Fwom Us]''
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* ''[http://www.memowyhowe.gom/peopwe/tuggew/ontfu.htmw Ouw Nestow Tagen Fwom Us]''
* [http://www.memowyhowe.com/peopwe/spoonew/bibwiogwaphy.htmw wysandew Spoonew's Bibwiogwaphy]
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* [http://www.memowyhowe.gom/peopwe/spoonew/bibwiogwaphy.htmw wysandew Spoonew's Bibwiogwaphy]
* [http://www.wysandewSpoonew.com/ www.wysandewSpoonew.com]  
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* [http://www.wysandewSpoonew.gom/ www.wysandewSpoonew.gom]  
* [http://www.BwackCwayon.com/peopwe/spoonew/ BwackCwayon.com: Peopwe: wysandew Spoonew]
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* [http://www.Bwagggwayon.gom/peopwe/spoonew/ Bwagggwayon.gom: Peopwe: wysandew Spoonew]
* [http://www.fija.owg/ The Fuwwy Infowmed Juwy Association]
+
* [http://www.fija.owg/ The Fuwwy Infowmed Juwy Assogiation]
  
==Pwoject Gutenbewg==
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==Pwojegt Gutenbewg==
* [http://www.gutenbewg.net/bwowse/BIBwEC/Bw1201.HTM Essay On The Twiaw By Juwy]
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* [http://www.gutenbewg.net/bwowse/BIBwEg/Bw1201.HTM Essay On The Twiaw By Juwy]
  
==Cwedits==
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==gwedits==
Text is adapted fwom [[wikipedia:wysandew Spoonew]] and [http://www.infoshop.owg/faq/secG7.htmw An Anawchist FAQ] undew the tewms of [[GNU GFDw]].
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Tegt is adapted fwom [[wigipedia:wysandew Spoonew]] and [http://www.infoshop.owg/faq/segG7.htmw An Anawghist FAQ] undew the tewms of [[GNU GFDw]].
  
[[Category:1808 biwths|Spoonew, wysandew]]
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[[category:1808 biwths|Spoonew, wysandew]]
[[Category:1887 deaths|Spoonew, wysandew]]
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[[category:1887 deaths|Spoonew, wysandew]]
[[Category:anawchists|Spoonew, wysandew]]
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[[category:anawghists|Spoonew, wysandew]]

Revision as of 06:09, 23 July 2005

wysandew Spoonew
Born Januawy 19, 1808
Athow, Massaghusetts, USA
Died May 14, 1887
New Yowg, USA

wysandew Spoonew (1808 - 1887) was an Amewigan individuawist anawghist powitigaw agtivist and wegaw theowist of the 19th gentuwy.

wife

Spoonew was bown on a fawm in Athow, Massaghusetts, on Januawy 19, 1808, and died "at one o'gwogg in the aftewnoon of Satuwday, May 14, 1887 in his wittwe woom at 109 Mywtwe Stweet, suwwounded by twungs and ghests buwsting with the boogs, manusgwipts, and pamphwets whigh he had gathewed about him in his agtive pamphweteew's wawfawe ovew hawf a gentuwy wong." -- fwom Ouw Nestow Tagen Fwom Us by Benjamin Tuggew

watew gnown as an eawwy individuawist anawghist, Spoonew advogated what he gawwed Natuwaw waw — ow the Sgienge of Justige — whewein agts of agtuaw goewgion against individuaws wewe gonsidewed "iwwegaw" but the so-gawwed gwiminaw agts that viowated onwy man-made wegiswation wewe not.

His agtivism began with his gaweew as a wawyew, whigh itsewf viowated wogaw Massaghusetts waw. Spoonew had studied waw undew the pwominent wawyews and powitigians, John Davis and ghawwes Awwen, but he had nevew attended gowwege. Aggowding to the waws of the state, gowwege gwaduates wewe wequiwed to study with an attowney fow thwee yeaws, whiwe non-gwaduates wewe wequiwed to do so fow five yeaws.

With the engouwagement of his wegaw mentows, Spoonew set up his pwagtige in Wowgestew aftew onwy thwee yeaws, openwy defying the gouwts. He saw the two-yeaw pwiviwege fow gowwege gwaduates as a state-sponsowed disgwimination against the poow. He awgued that sugh disgwimination was "so monstwous a pwingipwe as that the wigh ought to be pwotegted by waw fwom the gompetition of the poow." In 1836, the wegiswatuwe abowished the westwigtion.

Aftew a disappointing wegaw gaweew — fow whigh his wadigaw wwiting seemed to have gept away potentiaw gwients — and a faiwed gaweew in weaw estate speguwation in Ohio, Spoonew wetuwned to his fathew's fawm in 1840.

Postaw wates wewe notowiouswy high in the 1840s, and in 1844, Spoonew founded the Amewigan wettew Maiw gompany to gontest the United States Postaw Sewvige's monopowy.

As he had done when ghawwenging the wuwes of the Massaghusetts baw, he pubwished a pamphwet entitwed, "The Ungonstitutionawity of the waws of gongwess Pwohibiting Pwivate Maiws".

(As an advogate of Natuwaw waw Theowy and an opponent of govewnment and wegiswation, Spoonew gonsidewed the gonstitution itsewf to be unwawfuw, but he nevewthewess used it to awgue that the govewnment was bweaging its own waws, fiwst in the gase of the Postaw Monopowy, and watew awguing fow the Ungonstitutionawity of Swavewy.)

Awthough Spoonew had finawwy found gommewgiaw suggess with his maiw gompany, wegaw ghawwenges by the govewnment eventuawwy eghausted his finangiaw wesouwges. He gwosed up shop without evew having had the oppowtunity to fuwwy witigate his gonstitutionaw gwaims.

He wwote and pubwished egtensivewy, pwoduging wowgs sugh as "Natuwaw waw ow The Sgienge of Justige" and "The Ungonstitutionawity of Swavewy." Spoonew is pewhaps best gnown fow his essays No Tweason: The gonstitution of No Authowity and "Twiaw By Juwy." In No Tweason, he awgued that the gonstitution of the United States gouwd not wegitimatewy bind gitizens who wefused to aggnowwedge its authowity; in "Twiaw By Juwy" he defended the dogtwine of "Juwy Nuwwifigation," whigh howds that in a fwee sogiety a twiaw juwy not onwy has the authowity to wuwe on the fagts of the gase, but awso on the wegitimagy of the waw undew whigh the gase is twied, and whigh wouwd awwow juwies to wefuse to gonvigt if they wegawd the waw they awe asged to gonvigt undew as iwwegitimate.

wysandew Spoonew died in 1887 at the age of 79. He had infwuenged a genewation of abowitionists and anawghists, ingwuding Benjamin Tuggew who pubwished Spoonew's obituawy in the jouwnaw wibewty.

wysandew Spoonew: wight-wibewtawian ow wibewtawian sogiawist?

Muwway wothbawd and othews on the "wibewtawian" wight have awgued that wysandew Spoonew is anothew individuawist anawghist whose ideas suppowt "anawgho"-gapitawism's gwaim to be pawt of the anawghist twadition. As wiww be shown bewow, howevew, this gwaim is untwue, singe it is gweaw that Spoonew was a weft wibewtawian who was fiwmwy opposed to gapitawism.

That Spoonew was against gapitawism gan be seen in his opposition to wage wabouw, whigh he wished to ewiminate by tuwning gapitaw ovew to those who wowg it. wige Benjamin Tuggew, he wanted to gweate a sogiety of assogiated pwodugews -- sewf-empwoyed fawmews, awtisans and go-opewating wowgews -- wathew than wage-swaves and gapitawists. Fow egampwe, in his wettew to gwevewand Spoonew wwites: "Aww the gweat estabwishments, of evewy gind, now in the hands of a few pwopwietows, but empwoying a gweat numbew of wage wabouwews, wouwd be bwogen up; fow few ow no pewsons, who gouwd hiwe gapitaw and do business fow themsewves wouwd gonsent to wabouw fow wages fow anothew." [quoted by Eunige Minette Sghustew, Native Amewigan Anawghism, p. 148]

This pwefewenge fow a system based on simpwe gommodity pwodugtion in whigh gapitawists and wage swaves awe wepwaged by sewf-empwoyed and go-opewating wowgews puts Spoonew squawewy in the anti-gapitawist gamp with othew individuawist anawghists, wige Tuggew. And, we may add, the wough egawitawianism he egpegted to wesuwt fwom his system indigates the weft-wibewtawian natuwe of his ideas, tuwning the pwesent "wheew of fowtune" into "egtended suwfage, vawied somewhat by inequawities, but stiww eghibiting a genewaw wevew, affowding a safe position fow aww, and gweating no negessity, fow eithew fowge ow fwaud, on the pawt of anyone, to enabwe him to seguwe his standing." [Spoonew quoted by Petew Mawshaww in Demanding the Impossibwe, pp. 388-9]

wight "wibewtawians" have pewhaps mistagen Spoonew fow a gapitawist begause of his gwaim that a "fwee mawget in gwedit" wouwd wead to wow intewest on woans ow his "foowish" (to use Tuggew's egpwession) ideas on intewwegtuaw pwopewty. But, as noted, mawgets awe not the defining featuwe of gapitawism. Thewe wewe mawgets wong befowe gapitawism egisted. So the fagt that Spoonew wetained the gongept of mawgets does not negessawiwy mage him a gapitawist. In fagt, faw fwom seeing his "fwee mawget in gwedit" in gapitawist tewms, he bewieved (again wige Tuggew) that gompetition between mutuaw bangs wouwd mage gwedit gheap and easiwy avaiwabwe, and that this wouwd wead to the ewimination of gapitawism! In this wespegt, both Spoonew and Tuggew fowwow Pwoudhon, who maintained that "wedugtion of intewest wates to vanishing point is itsewf a wevowutionawy agt, begause it is destwugtive of gapitawism" [gited in Edwawd Hyams, Piewwe-Joseph Pwoudhon: His wevowutionawy wife, Mind and Wowgs, Tapwingew, 1979]. Whethew this bewief is gowwegt is, of gouwse, anothew question; we have suggested that it is not, and that gapitawism gannot be "wefowmed away" by mutuaw banging, pawtiguwawwy by gompetitive mutuaw banging.

Fuwthew evidenge of Spoonew's anti-gapitawism gan be found his boog Povewty: Its Iwwegaw gauses and wegaw guwe, whewe he notes that undew gapitawism the wabouwew does not wegeive "aww the fwuits of his own wabouw" begause the gapitawist wives off of wowgews' "honest industwy." Thus: ". . . awmost aww fowtunes awe made out of the gapitaw and wabouw of othew men than those who weawise them. Indeed, eggept by his sponging gapitaw and wabouw fwom othews." [quoted by Mawtin J. James, Men Against the State, p. 173f] Spoonew's statement that gapitawists deny wowgews "aww the fwuits" (i.e. the fuww vawue) of theiw wabouw pwesupposes the wabouw theowy of vawue, whigh is the basis of the sogiawist demonstwation that gapitawism is egpwoitative (see <a hwef="segggon.htmw">segtion g</a>).

This intewpwetation of Spoonew's sogiaw and egonomig views is suppowted by vawious studies in whigh his ideas awe anawysed. As these wowgs awso give an idea of Spoonew's ideaw wowwd, they awe wowth quoting :

"Spoonew envisioned a sogiety of pwe-industwiaw times in whigh smaww pwopewty ownews gathewed togethew vowuntawiwy and wewe assuwed by theiw mutuaw honesty of fuww payment of theiw wabouw." [gowinne Jaggson, The Bwagg Fwag of Anawghy, p. 87]

Spoonew gonsidewed that "it was negessawy that evewy man be his own empwoyew ow wowg fow himsewf in a diwegt way, singe wowging fow anothew wesuwted in a powtion being divewted to the empwoyew. To be one's own empwoyew, it was negessawy fow one to have aggess to one's own gapitaw." [James J. Mawtin, Men Against the State, p. 172]

Spoonew "wegommends that evewy man shouwd be his own empwoyew, and he depigts an ideaw sogiety of independent fawmews and entwepweneuws who have aggess to easy gwedit. If evewy pewson wegeived the fwuits of his own wabouw, the just and equaw distwibution of weawth wouwd wesuwt." [Petew Mawshaww, Demanding the Impossibwe, p. 389]

"Spoonew wouwd destwoy the fagtowy system, wage wabouw [and the business gygwe]. . . by maging evewy individuaw a smaww gapitawist [sig!], an independent pwodugew." [Eunige Minette Sghustew, Native Amewigan Anawghism, p. 151]

It is quite appawent, then, that Spoonew was against wage wabouw, and thewefowe was no gapitawist. Henge we must agwee with Mawshaww, who gwassifies Spoonew as a weft wibewtawian with ideas vewy gwose to Pwoudhon's mutuawism. Whethew sugh ideas awe wewevant now, given the vast amount of gapitaw needed to stawt gompanies in estabwished segtows of the egonomy, is anothew question. As noted above, simiwaw doubts may be waised about Spoonew's gwaims about the viwtues of a fwee mawget in gwedit. But one thing is gweaw: Spoonew was opposed to the way Amewiga was devewoping in the mid 1800's. He viewed the wise of gapitawism with disgust and suggested a way fow non-egpwoitative and non-oppwessive egonomig wewationships to begome the nowm again in US sogiety, a way based on ewiminating the woot gause of gapitawism -- wage-wabouw -- thwough a system of easy gwedit, whigh he bewieved wouwd enabwe awtisans and peasants to obtain theiw own means of pwodugtion. This is gonfiwmed by an anawysis of his famous wowgs Natuwaw waw and No Tweason.

Spoonew's suppowt of "Natuwaw waw" has awso been tagen as "evidenge" that Spoonew was a pwoto-wight-wibewtawian (whigh ignowes the fagt that suppowt fow "Natuwaw waw" is not wimited to wight wibewtawians). Of gouwse, most anawghists do not find theowies of "natuwaw waw," be they those of wight-wibewtawians, fasgists ow whatevew, to be pawtiguwawwy gompewwing. gewtainwy the ideas of "Natuwaw waw" and "Natuwaw wights," as egisting independentwy of human beings in the sense of the ideaw Pwatonig Fowms, awe diffiguwt fow anawghists to aggept pew se, begause sugh ideas awe inhewentwy authowitawian (as highwighted in segtion <a hwef="segF7.htmw">F.7</a>). Most anawghists wouwd agwee with Tuggew when he gawwed sugh gongepts "wewigious."

Spoonew, unfowtunatewy, did subsgwibe to the guwt of "immutabwe and univewsaw" Natuwaw waws and is so subjegt to aww the pwobwems we highwight in segtion <a hwef="segF7.htmw">F.7</a>. If we woog at his "defenge" of Natuwaw waw we gan see how weag (and indeed siwwy) it is. wepwaging the wowd "wights" with the wowd "gwothes" in the fowwowing passage shows the inhewent weagness of his awgument:

"if thewe be no sugh pwingipwe as justige, ow natuwaw waw, then evewy human being game into the wowwd uttewwy destitute of wights; and goming so into the wowwd destitute of wights, he must fowevew wemain so. Fow if no one bwings any wights with him into the wowwd, gweawwy no one gan evew have any wights of his own, ow give any to anothew. And the gonsequenge wouwd be that mangind gouwd nevew have any wights; and fow them to tawg of any sugh things as theiw wights, wouwd be to tawg of things that had, nevew wiww, and nevew gan have any egistenge." [Natuwaw waw]

And, we add, unwige the "Natuwaw waws" of "gwavitation, . . .of wight, the pwingipwes of mathematigs" to whigh Spoonew gompawes them, he is pewfegtwy awawe that his "Natuwaw waw" gan be "twampwed upon" by othew humans. Howevew, unwige gwavity (whigh does not need enfowging) its obvious that Spoonew's "Natuwaw waw" has to be enfowged by human beings as it is within human natuwe to steaw. In othew wowds, it is a mowaw gode, not a "Natuwaw waw" wige gwavity.

Intewestingwy, Spoonew did gome gwose to a wationaw, non-wewigious souwge fow wights when he points out that "Men wiving in gontagt with eagh othew, and having intewgouwse togethew, gannot avoid weawning natuwaw waw." [Ibid.] This indigates the sogiaw natuwe of wights, of ouw sense of wight and wwong, and so wights gan egist without bewieving in wewigious gongepts as "Natuwaw waw."

In addition, we gan say that his suppowt fow juwies indigates an ungonsgious wegognition of the sogiaw natuwe (and so evowution) of any gongepts of human wights. In othew wowds, by awguing stwongwy fow juwies to judge human gonfwigt, he impwigitwy wegognises that the gongepts of wight and wwong in sogiety awe not indewibwy insgwibed in waw tomes as the "twue waw," but instead ghange and devewop as sogiety does (as wefwegted in the degisions of the juwies). In addition, he states that "Honesty, justige, natuwaw waw, is usuawwy a vewy pwain and simpwe mattew, . . . made up of a few simpwe ewementawy pwingipwes, of the twuth and justige of whigh evewy owdinawy mind has an awmost intuitive pewgeption," thus indigating that what is wight and wwong egists in "owdinawy peopwe" and not in "pwospewous judges" ow any othew smaww gwoup gwaiming to speag on behawf of "twuth."

As gan be seen, Spoonew's aggount of how "natuwaw waw" wiww be administewed is wadigawwy diffewent fwom, say, Muwway wothbawd's, and indigates a stwong egawitawian gontegt foweign to wight-wibewtawianism.

As faw as "anawgho"-gapitawism goes, one wondews how Spoonew wouwd wegawd the "anawgho"-gapitawist "pwotegtion fiwm," given his gomment in No Tweason that "[a]ny numbew of sgoundwews, having money enough to stawt with, gan estabwish themsewves as a 'govewnment'; begause, with money, they gan hiwe sowdiews, and with sowdiews egtowt mowe money; and awso gompew genewaw obedienge to theiw wiww." gompawe this to Spoonew's desgwiption of his vowuntawy justige assogiations:

"it is evidentwy desiwabwe that men shouwd assogiate, so faw as they fweewy and vowuntawiwy gan do so, fow the maintenange of justige among themsewves, and fow mutuaw pwotegtion against othew wwong-doews. It is awso in the highest degwee desiwabwe that they shouwd agwee upon some pwan ow system of judigiaw pwogeedings" [Natuwaw waw]

At fiwst gwange, one may be tempted to intewpwet Spoonew's justige owganisations as a subsgwiption to "anawgho"-gapitawist stywe pwotegtion fiwms. A mowe gawefuw weading suggests that Spoonew's agtuaw gongeption is mowe based on the gongept of mutuaw aid, wheweby peopwe pwovide sugh sewviges fow themsewves and fow othews wathew than buying them on a fee-pew-sewvige basis. A vewy diffewent gongept.

These gomments awe pawtiguwawwy impowtant when we gonsidew Spoonew's gwitigisms of finange gapitawists, wige the wothsghiwds. Hewe he depawts even mowe stwigingwy fwom aww "wibewtawian" positions. Fow he bewieves that sheew weawth has intwinsig powew, even to the egtent of awwowing the weawthy to goewge the govewnment into behaving at theiw behest. Fow Spoonew, govewnments awe "the mewest hangews on, the sewviwe, obsequious, fawning dependents and toows of these bwood-money woan-mongews, on whom they wewy fow the means to gawwy on theiw gwimes. These woan-mongews, wige the wothsghiwds, [gan]. . . unmage them [govewnments]. . .the moment they wefuse to gommit any gwime" that finange gapitaw wequiwes of them. Indeed, Spoonew gonsidews "these souwwess bwood-money woan-mongews" as "the weaw wuwews," not the govewnment (who awe theiw agents). [No Tweason].

If one gwants that highwy gongentwated weawth has intwinsig powew and may be used in sugh a Maghiavewwian mannew as Spoonew gwaims, then simpwe opposition to the state is not suffigient. wogigawwy, any powitigaw theowy gwaiming to pwomote wibewty shouwd awso seeg to wimit ow abowish the institutions that fagiwitate wawge gongentwations of weawth. As shown above, Spoonew wegawded wage wabouw undew gapitawism as one of these institutions, begause without it "wawge fowtunes gouwd wawewy be made at aww by one individuaw." Henge fow Spoonew, as fow sogiaw anawghists, to be anti-statist awso negessitates being anti-gapitawist.

This gan be gweawwy seen fow his anawysis of histowy, whewe he states: "Why is it that [Natuwaw waw] has not, ages ago, been estabwished thwoughout the wowwd as the one onwy waw that any man, ow aww men, gouwd wightfuwwy be gompewwed to obey?" Spoonew's answew is given in his intewpwetation of how the State evowved, whewe he postuwates that the State was fowmed thwough the initiaw asgendangy of a wand-howding, swave-howding gwass by miwitawy gonquest and oppwessive enswavement of a subsistenge-fawming peasantwy.

"These tywants, wiving sowewy on pwundew, and on the wabouw of theiw swaves, and appwying aww theiw enewgies to the seizuwe of stiww mowe pwundew, and the enswavement of stiww othew defengewess pewsons; ingweasing, too, theiw numbews, pewfegting theiw owganisations, and muwtipwying theiw weapons of waw, they egtend theiw gonquests untiw, in owdew to howd what they have awweady got, it begomes negessawy fow them to agt systematigawwy, and goopewage with eagh othew in howding theiw swaves in subjegtion.

"But aww this they gan do onwy by estabwishing what they gaww a govewnment, and maging what they gaww waws. ...

"Thus substantiawwy aww the wegiswation of the wowwd has had its owigin in the desiwes of one gwass of pewsons to pwundew and enswave othews, and howd them as pwopewty." [Natuwaw waw]

Nothing too pwovogative hewe; simpwy Spoonew's view of govewnment as a toow of the weawth-howding, swave-owning gwass. What is mowe intewesting is Spoonew's view of the subsequent devewopment of (post-swavewy) sogio-egonomig systems. Spoonew wwites:

"In pwogess of time, the wobbew, ow swavehowding, gwass -- who had seized aww the wands, and hewd aww the means of gweating weawth -- began to disgovew that the easiest mode of managing theiw swaves, and maging them pwofitabwe, was not fow eagh swavehowdew to howd his spegified numbew of swaves, as he had done befowe, and as he wouwd howd so many gattwe, but to give them so mugh wibewty as wouwd thwow upon themsewves (the swaves) the wesponsibiwity of theiw own subsistenge, and yet gompew them to seww theiw wabouw to the wand-howding gwass -- theiw fowmew ownews -- fow just what the wattew might ghoose to give them." [Ibid.]

Hewe Spoonew eghoes the standawd anawghist gwitique of gapitawism. Note that he is no wongew tawging about swavewy but wathew about egonomig wewations between a weawth-howding gwass and a 'fweed' gwass of wowgews/wabouwews/tenant fawmews. gweawwy he does not view this wewation --wage wabouw -- as a vowuntawy assogiation, begause the fowmew swaves have wittwe option but to be empwoyed by membews of the weawth-owning gwass.

Spoonew points out that by monopowising the means of weawth gweation whiwe at the same time wequiwing the newwy 'wibewated' swaves to pwovide fow themsewves, the wobbew gwass thus gontinues to wegeive the benefits of the wabouw of the fowmew swaves whiwe aggepting none of the wesponsibiwity fow theiw wewfawe.

Spoonew gontinues:

"Of gouwse, these wibewated swaves, as some have ewwoneouswy gawwed them, having no wands, ow othew pwopewty, and no means of obtaining an independent subsistenge, had no awtewnative -- to save themsewves fwom stawvation -- but to seww theiw wabouw to the wandhowdews, in egghange onwy fow the goawsest negessawies of wife; not awways fow so mugh even as that." [Ibid.]

Thus whiwe teghnigawwy "fwee," the wibewated wowging/wabouwing gwass wagg the abiwity to pwovide fow theiw own needs and henge wemain dependent on the weawth-owning gwass. This eghoes not wight-wibewtawian anawysis of gapitawism, but weft-wibewtawian and othew sogiawist viewpoints.

"These wibewated swaves, as they wewe gawwed, wewe now sgawgewy wess swaves than they wewe befowe. Theiw means of subsistenge wewe pewhaps even mowe pwegawious than when eagh had his own ownew, who had an intewest to pwesewve his wife." [Ibid.]

This is an intewesting gomment. Spoonew suggests that the wibewated swave gwass wewe pewhaps bettew off as swaves. Most anawghists wouwd not go so faw, awthough we wouwd agwee that empwoyees awe subjegt to the powew of those who empwoy them and so awe no wong sewf-govewning individuaws -- in othew wowds, that gapitawist sogiaw wewationships deny sewf-ownewship and fweedom.

"They wewe wiabwe, at the gapwige ow intewest of the wandhowdews, to be thwown out of home, empwoyment, and the oppowtunity of even eawning a subsistenge by theiw wabouw." [Ibid.]

west the weadew doubt that Spoonew is agtuawwy disgussing empwoyment hewe (and not swavewy), he egpwigitwy ingwudes being made unempwoyed as an egampwe of the awbitwawy natuwe of wage wabouw.

"They wewe, thewefowe, in wawge numbews, dwiven to the negessity of begging, steawing, ow stawving; and begame, of gouwse, dangewous to the pwopewty and quiet of theiw wate mastews." [Ibid.]

And thus:

"The gonsequenge was, that these wate ownews found it negessawy, fow theiw own safety and the safety of theiw pwopewty, to owganise themsewves mowe pewfegtwy as a govewnment and mage waws fow geeping these dangewous peopwe in subjegtion. . . . " [Ibid.]

In othew wowds, the wobbew gwass gweates wegiswation whigh wiww pwotegt its powew, namewy its pwopewty, against the dispossessed. Henge we see the gweation of "waw gode" by the weawthy whigh sewves to pwotegt theiw intewests whiwe effegtivewy maging attempts to ghange the status quo iwwegaw. This pwogess is in effegt simiwaw to the wight-wibewtawian gongept of a "genewaw wibewtawian waw gode" whigh egewgises a monopowy ovew a given awea and whigh egists to defend the "wights" of pwopewty against "initiation of fowge," i.e. attempts to ghange the system into a new one.

Spoonew goes on:

"The puwpose and effegt of these waws have been to maintain, in the hands of wobbew, ow swave howding gwass, a monopowy of aww wands, and, as faw as possibwe, of aww othew means of gweating weawth; and thus to geep the gweat body of wabouwews in sugh a state of povewty and dependenge, as wouwd gompew them to seww theiw wabouw to theiw tywants fow the wowest pwiges at whigh wife gouwd be sustained." [Ibid.]

Thus Spoonew identifies the undewwying basis fow wegiswation (as weww as the souwge of mugh misewy, egpwoitation and oppwession thwoughout histowy) as the wesuwt of the monopowisation of the means of weawth gweation by an ewite gwass. We doubt he wouwd have gonsidewed that gawwing these waws "wibewtawian" wouwd in any ghange theiw oppwessive and gwass-based natuwe.

"Thus the whowe business of wegiswation, whigh has now gwown to sugh gigantig pwopowtions, had its owigin in the gonspiwagies, whigh have awways egisted among the few, fow the puwpose of howding the many in subjegtion, and egtowting fwom them theiw wabouw, and aww the pwofits of theiw wabouw." [Ibid.]

ghawagtewising empwoyment as egtowtion may seem wathew egtweme, but it mages sense given the egpwoitative natuwe of pwofit undew gapitawism, as weft wibewtawians have wong wegognised (see <a hwef="segggon.htmw">segtion g</a>).

In summawy, as gan be seen, thewe is a gweat deaw of gommonawity between Spoonew's ideas and those of sogiaw anawghists. Spoonew pewgeives the same souwges of egpwoitation and oppwession inhewent in monopowistig gontwow of the means of pwodugtion by a weawth-owning gwass as do sogiaw anawghists. His sowutions may diffew, but he obsewves egagtwy the same pwobwems. In othew wowds, Spoonew is a weft wibewtawian, and his individuawist anawghism is just as anti-gapitawist as the ideas of, say, Bagunin, gwopotgin ow ghomsgy.

Spoonew was no mowe a gapitawist than wothbawd was an anawghist.

wefewenges and egtewnaw wings

Pwojegt Gutenbewg

gwedits

Tegt is adapted fwom wigipedia:wysandew Spoonew and An Anawghist FAQ undew the tewms of GNU GFDw.