Michael Bakunin

God and the State (eBook, ePUB)

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

Among the 19th-century founders of modern philosophical anarchism, none is more important than Michael Bakunin (1814-76). Born into the Russian nobility, he renounced his hereditary rank in protest against Czarist oppression and fled to Western Europe. A colorful, charismatic personality, Bakunin quickly became central to the anarchism movement, and everyone involved either built upon or reacted to his ideas. Yet Bakunin, despite the power of his ideas, was primarily a man of action, and he wrote little. His only major work, God and the State, remained unfinished, although it is the torso of a giant.

God and the State has been a basic anarchist and radical document for generations. It is one of the clearest statements of the anarchist philosophy of history: religion by its nature is an impoverishment, enslavement, and annihilation of humanity. It is the weapon of the state. It must be smashed, according to Bakunin, before the right of self-determination can be possible. As an introduction to anarchist thought, a manifesto of atheism, or as a summing-up of the thoughts of Bakunin, God and the State remains a mind-opening experience, even for those basically unsympathetic to its premise.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: Guilford Publications
• Seitenzahl: 112
• Erscheinungstermin: 22. August 2012
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9780486119656
• Artikelnr.: 39138013

Autorenporträt

Mikhail Bakunin (1814-1876) was a Russian revolutionary anarchist, and arguably one of the most influential political thinkers of the 19th century. His passionate belief in the abolition of all governmental structures and institutions, as well as his criticism of state power and organized religion, laid down the groundwork for what is now broadly referred to as collectivist anarchism. Bakunin's magnum opus, 'God and the State,' remains a seminal text for anarchists and scholars of political theory. In it, he argues against the divine right of rulers and for the freedom of individuals from religious and political authority. Bakunin's literary style is notably intense and fervent, which reflects his tempestuous personality and unyielding commitment to his principles. His ideas, particularly those concerning the preeminence of liberty and a stateless society, were pivotal in the development of the anarchist movement. Though he never saw the realization of his vision in his lifetime, Bakunin's legacy continues to inspire and provoke debate among philosophers, activists, and political theorists. His contributions to the concept of direct action, federalism, and anti-authoritarianism are key texts in the anarchist canon and remain influential in contemporary discussions of social and political organization.