The Great Anarchists

Latest Episodes:

Proudhon: from Rousseau to Marx Nov 06, 2025

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The first person to call himself an 'anarchist' (that we know of), and a central transitional figure between Rousseau and Marx. His 'mutualism' might still be a decent way between individualism and collectivism.

Warren 2: The Concept of Self-Sovereignty Oct 31, 2025

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supplement to the Warren episode. Abolitionism as the source of American anarchism. John Stuart Mill.

Josiah Warren: the Practical Anarchist Oct 31, 2025

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The continuity with Godwin is provided by Robert Owen and the astonishing Frances (Fanny) Wright. Warren (1798-1874) was the founder of American individualist anarchism, but...let's talk about the meaning of individualism and collectivism.

Anarchism and Human Nature Oct 27, 2025

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A supplement to the Godwin episode. I argue that anarchists need not have a naively positive view of human nature. Not at all, though Godwin and Emma Goldman did, and though for example absolutist Thomas Hobbes had a very negative one. But anarchism follows from Hobbes's view too, believe it or not. Or if Hobbes is right about human nature, anarchism is just as or more valid than if we're all benevolent Godwinians.

The Enlightened Anarchism and Feminism of William Godwin Oct 26, 2025

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The first great "philosophical" or non-religious anarchist in the West, author of the novel Caleb Williams or Things as They Are, and the still underrated classic An Enquiry Concerning Political Justice. Thomas Paine and Mary Wollstonecraft (whom he married and with whom he had a daughter [Mary Shelley]) are major influences.

Anarchism and the Radical Reformation Oct 09, 2025

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Gerrard Winstanley and Levellers, but a whole long history including Thomas Müntzer and the German Peasants' Rebellion. Anabaptists, Diggers, Ranters, Quakers and the origin of modern egalitarianism and anti-authoritarianism.

Anarchism of the Spirit: Laozi (Lao Tzu) Oct 03, 2025

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And also Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu). Ancient Daoism is a beautiful and profound underpinning for ant-statist political philosophy.

The Parrhesia of Diogenes the Cynic Sep 29, 2025

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the most wonderful anti-authoritarian philosopher in western history

the book i mention is 'fearless speech' by michel foucault

Why I'm an Anarchist Sep 26, 2025

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(and what we'll be talking about in future episodes)