I think any system that is radically different than the one we are in now is subject to the "utopian" criticism. That's because when we try to imagine something quite different, we tend to throw in a lot of extra stuff, because why not? as long as we're dreaming.
However it's really a straw man argument in my opinion. My imaginings of anarcho-syndicalism are pretty damn messy. I think the important question is, what political system best accounts for the real flaws of human beings? Capitalism brings out desperation and hopelessness, neo-conservatism brings out frenzied mob mentality, anarchism I imagine, would bring out constant in-fighting. However, if you *expect* that people will disagree and fight, and create systems to deal with that, then you end up with a system where people can take pride in their work because it actually means something. In any case, anarchism is very difficult to imagine because you have to back away from a lot of capitalist assumptions before it makes any kind of sense.
I'm mostly playing devil's advocate here as I'm more in favor of social democracy, which works quite well in many European countries, while still *gasp* providing universal healthcare and a comprehensive welfare system. But I do like anarchist theory as it is very empowering on an individual level. The elite vs. common people system was a lot more soothing to me until I realized I wasn't in the elite class - that I was just one more of the desperate working poor, and my accumulating debt and choice of professions meant I was never going to escape my status.
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Date: 9/11/08 12:36 pm (UTC)From:I think any system that is radically different than the one we are in now is subject to the "utopian" criticism. That's because when we try to imagine something quite different, we tend to throw in a lot of extra stuff, because why not? as long as we're dreaming.
However it's really a straw man argument in my opinion. My imaginings of anarcho-syndicalism are pretty damn messy. I think the important question is, what political system best accounts for the real flaws of human beings? Capitalism brings out desperation and hopelessness, neo-conservatism brings out frenzied mob mentality, anarchism I imagine, would bring out constant in-fighting. However, if you *expect* that people will disagree and fight, and create systems to deal with that, then you end up with a system where people can take pride in their work because it actually means something. In any case, anarchism is very difficult to imagine because you have to back away from a lot of capitalist assumptions before it makes any kind of sense.
I'm mostly playing devil's advocate here as I'm more in favor of social democracy, which works quite well in many European countries, while still *gasp* providing universal healthcare and a comprehensive welfare system. But I do like anarchist theory as it is very empowering on an individual level. The elite vs. common people system was a lot more soothing to me until I realized I wasn't in the elite class - that I was just one more of the desperate working poor, and my accumulating debt and choice of professions meant I was never going to escape my status.