Difference between revisions of "Anarchism and Marxism"

Revision as of 19:58, 19 June 2006

The most obvious difference between anarchism and Marxism can be seen in a comparison of anarcho-capitalism to Marxism. The two philosophies could hardly be more different - whereas Marxism wants to get away from the entire structure of capital, believing that it is a dangerous form of control, the anarcho-capitalists believe that free market capitalism is a necessary part of freedom.

Even leftist anarchism and Marxism are two very different political philosophies, although there is some similarity between the methodology and ideology of some anarchists and some Marxists, and the history of the two have often been intertwined.

The International Workingmen's Association, at its founding, was an alliance of socialist groups, including both anarchists and Marxists. Both sides had a common aim (stateless communism) and common political opponents (conservatives and other right-wing elements). But each was critical of the other, and the inherent conflict between the two groups soon embodied itself in an ongoing argument between Mikhail Bakunin, representative of anarchist ideas, and Karl Marx himself. In 1872, the conflict in the First International climaxed with the expulsion of Bakunin and those who had become known as the "Bakuninists" when they were outvoted by the Marx Party at the Hague congress.

• arguments surrounding the issue of the state
• arguments concerning the method of historical materialism
• points of political commonality