PREFACE
Sometwenty-oneyearsagoIheardthefirstgreatAnarchistspeaker——theinimitableJohnMost。Itseemedtomethen，andformanyyearsafter，thatthespokenwordhurledforthamongthemasseswithsuchwonderfuleloquence，suchenthusiasmandfire，couldneverbeerasedfromthehumanmindandsoul。HowcouldanyoneofallthemultitudeswhoflockedtoMost’smeetingsescapehispropheticvoice！
Surelytheyhadbuttohearhimtothrowofftheiroldbeliefs，andseethetruthandbeautyofAnarchism！
MyonegreatlongingthenwastobeabletospeakwiththetongueofJohnMost，——thatI，too，mightthusreachthemasses。Oh，forthenaivetyofYouth’senthusiasm！Itisthetimewhenthehardestthingseemsbutchild’splay。Itistheonlyperiodinlifeworthwhile。
Alas！Thisperiodisbutofshortduration。LikeSpring，theSTURM
UNDDRANGperiodofthepropagandistbringsforthgrowth，frailanddelicate，tobematuredorkilledaccordingtoitspowersofresistanceagainstathousandvicissitudes。
Mygreatfaithinthewonderworker，thespokenword，isnomore。I
haverealizeditsinadequacytoawakenthought，orevenemotion。
Gradually，andwithnosmallstruggleagainstthisrealization，I
cametoseethatoralpropagandaisatbestbutameansofshakingpeoplefromtheirlethargy:itleavesnolastingimpression。Theveryfactthatmostpeopleattendmeetingsonlyifarousedbynewspapersensations，orbecausetheyexpecttobeamused，isproofthattheyreallyhavenoinnerurgetolearn。
Itisaltogetherdifferentwiththewrittenmodeofhumanexpression。
Noone，unlessintenselyinterestedinprogressiveideas，willbotherwithseriousbooks。Thatleadsmetoanotherdiscoverymadeaftermanyyearsofpublicactivity。Itisthis:Allclaimsofeducationnotwithstanding，thepupilwillacceptonlythatwhichhismindcraves。Alreadythistruthisrecognizedbymostmoderneducatorsinrelationtotheimmaturemind。Ithinkitisequallytrueregardingtheadult。Anarchistsorrevolutionistscannomorebemadethanmusicians。Allthatcanbedoneistoplanttheseedsofthought。
Whethersomethingvitalwilldevelopdependslargelyonthefertilityofthehumansoil，thoughthequalityoftheintellectualseedmustnotbeoverlooked。
Inmeetingstheaudienceisdistractedbyathousandnon-essentials。
Thespeaker，thougheversoeloquent，cannotescapetherestlessnessofthecrowd，withtheinevitableresultthathewillfailtostrikeroot。Inallprobabilityhewillnotevendojusticetohimself。
Therelationbetweenthewriterandthereaderismoreintimate。
True，booksareonlywhatwewantthemtobe；rather，whatwereadintothem。Thatwecandosodemonstratestheimportanceofwrittenasagainstoralexpression。Itisthiscertaintywhichhasinducedmetogatherinonevolumemyideasonvarioustopicsofindividualandsocialimportance。Theyrepresentthementalandsoulstrugglesoftwenty-oneyears，——theconclusionsderivedaftermanychangesandinnerrevisions。
Iamnotsanguineenoughtohopethatmyreaderswillbeasnumerousasthosewhohaveheardme。ButIprefertoreachthefewwhoreallywanttolearn，ratherthanthemanywhocometobeamused。
Astothebook，itmustspeakforitself。Explanatoryremarksdobutdetractfromtheideassetforth。However，Iwishtoforestalltwoobjectionswhichwillundoubtedlyberaised。OneisinreferencetotheessayonANARCHISM；theother，onMINORITIESVERSUSMAJORITIES。
"WhydoyounotsayhowthingswillbeoperatedunderAnarchism？"isaquestionIhavehadtomeetthousandsoftimes。BecauseIbelievethatAnarchismcannotconsistentlyimposeaniron-cladprogramormethodonthefuture。Thethingseverynewgenerationhastofight，andwhichitcanleastovercome，aretheburdensofthepast，whichholdsusallasinanet。Anarchism，atleastasIunderstandit，leavesposterityfreetodevelopitsownparticularsystems，inharmonywithitsneeds。Ourmostvividimaginationcannotforeseethepotentialitiesofaracesetfreefromexternalrestraints。
How，then，cananyoneassumetomapoutalineofconductforthosetocome？We，whopaydearlyforeverybreathofpure，freshair，mustguardagainstthetendencytofetterthefuture。Ifwesucceedinclearingthesoilfromtherubbishofthepastandpresent，wewillleavetoposteritythegreatestandsafestheritageofallages。
Themostdishearteningtendencycommonamongreadersistotearoutonesentencefromawork，asacriterionofthewriter’sideasorpersonality。FriedrichNietzsche，forinstance，isdecriedasahateroftheweakbecausehebelievedintheUEBERMENSCH。ItdoesnotoccurtotheshallowinterpretersofthatgiantmindthatthisvisionoftheUEBERMENSCHalsocalledforastateofsocietywhichwillnotgivebirthtoaraceofweaklingsandslaves。
ItisthesamenarrowattitudewhichseesinMaxStirnernaughtbuttheapostleofthetheory"eachforhimself，thedeviltakethehindone。"ThatStirner’sindividualismcontainsthegreatestsocialpossibilitiesisutterlyignored。Yet，itisneverthelesstruethatifsocietyisevertobecomefree，itwillbesothroughliberatedindividuals，whosefreeeffortsmakesociety。
TheseexamplesbringmetotheobjectionthatwillberaisedtoMINORITIESVERSUSMAJORITIES。Nodoubt，Ishallbeexcommunicatedasanenemyofthepeople，becauseIrepudiatethemassasacreativefactor。Ishallpreferthatratherthanbeguiltyofthedemagogicplatitudessocommonlyinvogueasabaitforthepeople。Irealizethemaladyoftheoppressedanddisinheritedmassesonlytoowell，butIrefusetoprescribetheusualridiculouspalliativeswhichallowthepatientneithertodienortorecover。Onecannotbetooextremeindealingwithsocialills；besides，theextremethingisgenerallythetruething。Mylackoffaithinthemajorityisdictatedbymyfaithinthepotentialitiesoftheindividual。Onlywhenthelatterbecomesfreetochoosehisassociatesforacommonpurpose，canwehopefororderandharmonyoutofthisworldofchaosandinequality。
Fortherest，mybookmustspeakforitself。
EmmaGoldmanANARCHISM:WHATITREALLYSTANDSFOR
ANARCHY。
Everreviled，accursed，ne’erunderstood，Thouartthegrislyterrorofourage。
"Wreckofallorder，"crythemultitude，"Artthou，andwarandmurder’sendlessrage。"
O，letthemcry。Tothemthatne’erhavestrivenThetruththatliesbehindawordtofind，Tothemtheword’srightmeaningwasnotgiven。
Theyshallcontinueblindamongtheblind。
Butthou，Oword，soclear，sostrong，sopure，ThousayestallwhichIforgoalhavetaken。
Igivetheetothefuture！ThinesecureWheneachatleastuntohimselfshallwaken。
Comesitinsunshine？Inthetempest’sthrill？
Icannottell——butittheearthshallsee！
IamanAnarchist！WhereforeIwillNotrule，andalsoruledIwillnotbe！
JOHNHENRYMACKAY。
Thehistoryofhumangrowthanddevelopmentisatthesametimethehistoryoftheterriblestruggleofeverynewideaheraldingtheapproachofabrighterdawn。Initstenaciousholdontradition，theOldhasneverhesitatedtomakeuseofthefoulestandcruelestmeanstostaytheadventoftheNew，inwhateverformorperiodthelattermayhaveasserteditself。Norneedweretraceourstepsintothedistantpasttorealizetheenormityofopposition，difficulties，andhardshipsplacedinthepathofeveryprogressiveidea。Therack，thethumbscrew，andtheknoutarestillwithus；soaretheconvict’sgarbandthesocialwrath，allconspiringagainstthespiritthatisserenelymarchingon。
Anarchismcouldnothopetoescapethefateofallotherideasofinnovation。Indeed，asthemostrevolutionaryanduncompromisinginnovator，Anarchismmustneedsmeetwiththecombinedignoranceandvenomoftheworlditaimstoreconstruct。
TodealevenremotelywithallthatisbeingsaidanddoneagainstAnarchismwouldnecessitatethewritingofawholevolume。Ishallthereforemeetonlytwooftheprincipalobjections。Insodoing，I
shallattempttoelucidatewhatAnarchismreallystandsfor。
ThestrangephenomenonoftheoppositiontoAnarchismisthatitbringstolighttherelationbetweenso-calledintelligenceandignorance。Andyetthisisnotsoverystrangewhenweconsidertherelativityofallthings。Theignorantmasshasinitsfavorthatitmakesnopretenseofknowledgeortolerance。Acting，asitalwaysdoes，bymereimpulse，itsreasonsarelikethoseofachild。
"Why？""Because。"YettheoppositionoftheuneducatedtoAnarchismdeservesthesameconsiderationasthatoftheintelligentman。
What，then，aretheobjections？First，Anarchismisimpractical，thoughabeautifulideal。Second，Anarchismstandsforviolenceanddestruction，henceitmustberepudiatedasvileanddangerous。
Boththeintelligentmanandtheignorantmassjudgenotfromathoroughknowledgeofthesubject，buteitherfromhearsayorfalseinterpretation。
Apracticalscheme，saysOscarWilde，iseitheronealreadyinexistence，oraschemethatcouldbecarriedoutundertheexistingconditions；butitisexactlytheexistingconditionsthatoneobjectsto，andanyschemethatcouldaccepttheseconditionsiswrongandfoolish。Thetruecriterionofthepractical，therefore，isnotwhetherthelattercankeepintactthewrongorfoolish；
ratherisitwhethertheschemehasvitalityenoughtoleavethestagnantwatersoftheold，andbuild，aswellassustain，newlife。
Inthelightofthisconception，Anarchismisindeedpractical。
Morethananyotheridea，itishelpingtodoawaywiththewrongandfoolish；morethananyotheridea，itisbuildingandsustainingnewlife。
Theemotionsoftheignorantmanarecontinuouslykeptatapitchbythemostblood-curdlingstoriesaboutAnarchism。Notathingtoooutrageoustobeemployedagainstthisphilosophyanditsexponents。
ThereforeAnarchismrepresentstotheunthinkingwhattheproverbialbadmandoestothechild，——ablackmonsterbentonswallowingeverything；inshort，destructionandviolence。
Destructionandviolence！Howistheordinarymantoknowthatthemostviolentelementinsocietyisignorance；thatitspowerofdestructionistheverythingAnarchismiscombating？NorisheawarethatAnarchism，whoseroots，asitwere，arepartofnature’sforces，destroys，nothealthfultissue，butparasiticgrowthsthatfeedonthelife’sessenceofsociety。Itismerelyclearingthesoilfromweedsandsagebrush，thatitmayeventuallybearhealthyfruit。
Someonehassaidthatitrequireslessmentalefforttocondemnthantothink。Thewidespreadmentalindolence，soprevalentinsociety，provesthistobeonlytootrue。Ratherthantogotothebottomofanygivenidea，toexamineintoitsoriginandmeaning，mostpeoplewilleithercondemnitaltogether，orrelyonsomesuperficialorprejudicialdefinitionofnon-essentials。
Anarchismurgesmantothink，toinvestigate，toanalyzeeveryproposition；butthatthebraincapacityoftheaveragereaderbenottaxedtoomuch，Ialsoshallbeginwithadefinition，andthenelaborateonthelatter。
ANARCHISM:——Thephilosophyofanewsocialorderbasedonlibertyunrestrictedbyman-madelaw；thetheorythatallformsofgovernmentrestonviolence，andarethereforewrongandharmful，aswellasunnecessary。
Thenewsocialorderrests，ofcourse，onthematerialisticbasisoflife；butwhileallAnarchistsagreethatthemaineviltodayisaneconomicone，theymaintainthatthesolutionofthatevilcanbebroughtaboutonlythroughtheconsiderationofEVERYPHASEoflife，——individual，aswellasthecollective；theinternal，aswellastheexternalphases。
Athoroughperusalofthehistoryofhumandevelopmentwilldisclosetwoelementsinbitterconflictwitheachother；elementsthatareonlynowbeginningtobeunderstood，notasforeigntoeachother，butascloselyrelatedandtrulyharmonious，ifonlyplacedinproperenvironment:theindividualandsocialinstincts。Theindividualandsocietyhavewagedarelentlessandbloodybattleforages，eachstrivingforsupremacy，becauseeachwasblindtothevalueandimportanceoftheother。Theindividualandsocialinstincts，——theoneamostpotentfactorforindividualendeavor，forgrowth，aspiration，self-realization；theotheranequallypotentfactorformutualhelpfulnessandsocialwell-being。
Theexplanationofthestormragingwithintheindividual，andbetweenhimandhissurroundings，isnotfartoseek。Theprimitiveman，unabletounderstandhisbeing，muchlesstheunityofalllife，felthimselfabsolutelydependentonblind，hiddenforceseverreadytomockandtaunthim。Outofthatattitudegrewthereligiousconceptsofmanasamerespeckofdustdependentonsuperiorpowersonhigh，whocanonlybeappeasedbycompletesurrender。Alltheearlysagasrestonthatidea，whichcontinuestobetheLEIT-MOTIF
ofthebiblicaltalesdealingwiththerelationofmantoGod，totheState，tosociety。Againandagainthesamemotif，MANISNOTHING，THEPOWERSAREEVERYTHING。ThusJehovahwouldonlyenduremanonconditionofcompletesurrender。Mancanhaveallthegloriesoftheearth，buthemustnotbecomeconsciousofhimself。TheState，society，andmorallawsallsingthesamerefrain:Mancanhaveallthegloriesoftheearth，buthemustnotbecomeconsciousofhimself。
Anarchismistheonlyphilosophywhichbringstomantheconsciousnessofhimself；whichmaintainsthatGod，theState，andsocietyarenon-existent，thattheirpromisesarenullandvoid，sincetheycanbefulfilledonlythroughman’ssubordination。
Anarchismisthereforetheteacheroftheunityoflife；notmerelyinnature，butinman。Thereisnoconflictbetweentheindividualandthesocialinstincts，anymorethanthereisbetweentheheartandthelungs:theonethereceptacleofapreciouslifeessence，theothertherepositoryoftheelementthatkeepstheessencepureandstrong。Theindividualistheheartofsociety，conservingtheessenceofsociallife；societyisthelungswhicharedistributingtheelementtokeepthelifeessence——thatis，theindividual——pureandstrong。
"Theonethingofvalueintheworld，"saysEmerson，"istheactivesoul；thiseverymancontainswithinhim。Thesoulactiveseesabsolutetruthandutterstruthandcreates。"Inotherwords，theindividualinstinctisthethingofvalueintheworld。Itisthetruesoulthatseesandcreatesthetruthalive，outofwhichistocomeastillgreatertruth，there-bornsocialsoul。
Anarchismisthegreatliberatorofmanfromthephantomsthathaveheldhimcaptive；itisthearbiterandpacifierofthetwoforcesforindividualandsocialharmony。Toaccomplishthatunity，Anarchismhasdeclaredwarontheperniciousinfluenceswhichhavesofarpreventedtheharmoniousblendingofindividualandsocialinstincts，theindividualandsociety。
Religion，thedominionofthehumanmind；Property，thedominionofhumanneeds；andGovernment，thedominionofhumanconduct，representthestrongholdofman’senslavementandallthehorrorsitentails。
Religion！Howitdominatesman’smind，howithumiliatesanddegradeshissoul。Godiseverything，manisnothing，saysreligion。ButoutofthatnothingGodhascreatedakingdomsodespotic，sotyrannical，socruel，soterriblyexactingthatnaughtbutgloomandtearsandbloodhaveruledtheworldsincegodsbegan。Anarchismrousesmantorebellionagainstthisblackmonster。Breakyourmentalfetters，saysAnarchismtoman，fornotuntilyouthinkandjudgeforyourselfwillyougetridofthedominionofdarkness，thegreatestobstacletoallprogress。
Property，thedominionofman’sneeds，thedenialoftherighttosatisfyhisneeds。Timewaswhenpropertyclaimedadivineright，whenitcametomanwiththesamerefrain，evenasreligion，"Sacrifice！Abnegate！Submit！"ThespiritofAnarchismhasliftedmanfromhisprostrateposition。Henowstandserect，withhisfacetowardthelight。Hehaslearnedtoseetheinsatiable，devouring，devastatingnatureofproperty，andheispreparingtostrikethemonsterdead。
"Propertyisrobbery，"saidthegreatFrenchAnarchist，Proudhon。
Yes，butwithoutriskanddangertotherobber。Monopolizingtheaccumulatedeffortsofman，propertyhasrobbedhimofhisbirthright，andhasturnedhimlooseapauperandanoutcast。
Propertyhasnoteventhetime-wornexcusethatmandoesnotcreateenoughtosatisfyallneeds。TheABCstudentofeconomicsknowsthattheproductivityoflaborwithinthelastfewdecadesfarexceedsnormaldemandahundredfold。Butwhatarenormaldemandstoanabnormalinstitution？Theonlydemandthatpropertyrecognizesisitsowngluttonousappetiteforgreaterwealth，becausewealthmeanspower；thepowertosubdue，tocrush，toexploit，thepowertoenslave，tooutrage，todegrade。Americaisparticularlyboastfulofhergreatpower，herenormousnationalwealth。PoorAmerica，ofwhatavailisallherwealth，iftheindividualscomprisingthenationarewretchedlypoor？Iftheyliveinsqualor，infilth，incrime，withhopeandjoygone，ahomeless，soillessarmyofhumanprey。
Itisgenerallyconcededthatunlessthereturnsofanybusinessventureexceedthecost，bankruptcyisinevitable。Butthoseengagedinthebusinessofproducingwealthhavenotyetlearnedeventhissimplelesson。Everyyearthecostofproductioninhumanlifeisgrowinglarger50，000killed，100，000woundedinAmericalastyear；
thereturnstothemasses，whohelptocreatewealth，areevergettingsmaller。YetAmericacontinuestobeblindtotheinevitablebankruptcyofourbusinessofproduction。Noristhistheonlycrimeofthelatter。Stillmorefatalisthecrimeofturningtheproducerintoamereparticleofamachine，withlesswillanddecisionthanhismasterofsteelandiron。Manisbeingrobbednotmerelyoftheproductsofhislabor，butofthepoweroffreeinitiative，oforiginality，andtheinterestin，ordesirefor，thethingsheismaking。
Realwealthconsistsinthingsofutilityandbeauty，inthingsthathelptocreatestrong，beautifulbodiesandsurroundingsinspiringtolivein。Butifmanisdoomedtowindcottonaroundaspool，ordigcoal，orbuildroadsforthirtyyearsofhislife，therecanbenotalkofwealth。Whathegivestotheworldisonlygrayandhideousthings，reflectingadullandhideousexistence，——tooweaktolive，toocowardlytodie。Strangetosay，therearepeoplewhoextolthisdeadeningmethodofcentralizedproductionastheproudestachievementofourage。Theyfailutterlytorealizethatifwearetocontinueinmachinesubserviency，ourslaveryismorecompletethanwasourbondagetotheKing。Theydonotwanttoknowthatcentralizationisnotonlythedeath-knellofliberty，butalsoofhealthandbeauty，ofartandscience，allthesebeingimpossibleinaclock-like，mechanicalatmosphere。
Anarchismcannotbutrepudiatesuchamethodofproduction:itsgoalisthefreestpossibleexpressionofallthelatentpowersoftheindividual。OscarWildedefinesaperfectpersonalityas"onewhodevelopsunderperfectconditions，whoisnotwounded，maimed，orindanger。"Aperfectpersonality，then，isonlypossibleinastateofsocietywheremanisfreetochoosethemodeofwork，theconditionsofwork，andthefreedomtowork。Onetowhomthemakingofatable，thebuildingofahouse，orthetillingofthesoil，iswhatthepaintingistotheartistandthediscoverytothescientist，——theresultofinspiration，ofintenselonging，anddeepinterestinworkasacreativeforce。ThatbeingtheidealofAnarchism，itseconomicarrangementsmustconsistofvoluntaryproductiveanddistributiveassociations，graduallydevelopingintofreecommunism，asthebestmeansofproducingwiththeleastwasteofhumanenergy。Anarchism，however，alsorecognizestherightoftheindividual，ornumbersofindividuals，toarrangeatalltimesforotherformsofwork，inharmonywiththeirtastesanddesires。
Suchfreedisplayofhumanenergybeingpossibleonlyundercompleteindividualandsocialfreedom，Anarchismdirectsitsforcesagainstthethirdandgreatestfoeofallsocialequality；namely，theState，organizedauthority，orstatutorylaw，——thedominionofhumanconduct。
Justasreligionhasfetteredthehumanmind，andasproperty，orthemonopolyofthings，hassubduedandstifledman’sneeds，sohastheStateenslavedhisspirit，dictatingeveryphaseofconduct。"Allgovernmentinessence，"saysEmerson，"istyranny。"Itmattersnotwhetheritisgovernmentbydivinerightormajorityrule。Ineveryinstanceitsaimistheabsolutesubordinationoftheindividual。
ReferringtotheAmericangovernment，thegreatestAmericanAnarchist，DavidThoreau，said:"Government，whatisitbutatradition，thougharecentone，endeavoringtotransmititselfunimpairedtoposterity，buteachinstancelosingitsintegrity；ithasnotthevitalityandforceofasinglelivingman。Lawnevermademanawhitmorejust；andbymeansoftheirrespectforit，eventhewelldisposedaredailymadeagentsofinjustice。"
Indeed，thekeynoteofgovernmentisinjustice。Withthearroganceandself-sufficiencyoftheKingwhocoulddonowrong，governmentsordain，judge，condemn，andpunishthemostinsignificantoffenses，whilemaintainingthemselvesbythegreatestofalloffenses，theannihilationofindividualliberty。ThusOuidaisrightwhenshemaintainsthat"theStateonlyaimsatinstillingthosequalitiesinitspublicbywhichitsdemandsareobeyed，anditsexchequerisfilled。Itshighestattainmentisthereductionofmankindtoclockwork。Initsatmosphereallthosefinerandmoredelicateliberties，whichrequiretreatmentandspaciousexpansion，inevitablydryupandperish。TheStaterequiresataxpayingmachineinwhichthereisnohitch，anexchequerinwhichthereisneveradeficit，andapublic，monotonous，obedient，colorless，spiritless，movinghumblylikeaflockofsheepalongastraighthighroadbetweentwowalls。"
YetevenaflockofsheepwouldresistthechicaneryoftheState，ifitwerenotforthecorruptive，tyrannical，andoppressivemethodsitemploystoserveitspurposes。ThereforeBakuninrepudiatestheStateassynonymouswiththesurrenderofthelibertyoftheindividualorsmallminorities，——thedestructionofsocialrelationship，thecurtailment，orcompletedenialeven，oflifeitself，foritsownaggrandizement。TheStateisthealtarofpoliticalfreedomand，likethereligiousaltar，itismaintainedforthepurposeofhumansacrifice。
Infact，thereishardlyamodernthinkerwhodoesnotagreethatgovernment，organizedauthority，ortheState，isnecessaryONLYtomaintainorprotectpropertyandmonopoly。Ithasprovenefficientinthatfunctiononly。
EvenGeorgeBernardShaw，whohopesforthemiraculousfromtheStateunderFabianism，neverthelessadmitsthat"itisatpresentahugemachineforrobbingandslave-drivingofthepoorbybruteforce。"
Thisbeingthecase，itishardtoseewhythecleverprefacerwishestoupholdtheStateafterpovertyshallhaveceasedtoexist。
Unfortunatelytherearestillanumberofpeoplewhocontinueinthefatalbeliefthatgovernmentrestsonnaturallaws，thatitmaintainssocialorderandharmony，thatitdiminishescrime，andthatitpreventsthelazymanfromfleecinghisfellows。Ishallthereforeexaminethesecontentions。
Anaturallawisthatfactorinmanwhichassertsitselffreelyandspontaneouslywithoutanyexternalforce，inharmonywiththerequirementsofnature。Forinstance，thedemandfornutrition，forsexgratification，forlight，air，andexercise，isanaturallaw。
Butitsexpressionneedsnotthemachineryofgovernment，needsnottheclub，thegun，thehandcuff，ortheprison。Toobeysuchlaws，ifwemaycallitobedience，requiresonlyspontaneityandfreeopportunity。Thatgovernmentsdonotmaintainthemselvesthroughsuchharmoniousfactorsisprovenbytheterriblearrayofviolence，force，andcoercionallgovernmentsuseinordertolive。ThusBlackstoneisrightwhenhesays，"Humanlawsareinvalid，becausetheyarecontrarytothelawsofnature。"
UnlessitbetheorderofWarsawaftertheslaughterofthousandsofpeople，itisdifficulttoascribetogovernmentsanycapacityfororderorsocialharmony。Orderderivedthroughsubmissionandmaintainedbyterrorisnotmuchofasafeguaranty；yetthatistheonly"order"thatgovernmentshaveevermaintained。Truesocialharmonygrowsnaturallyoutofsolidarityofinterests。Inasocietywherethosewhoalwaysworkneverhaveanything，whilethosewhoneverworkenjoyeverything，solidarityofinterestsisnon-existent；
hencesocialharmonyisbutamyth。Theonlywayorganizedauthoritymeetsthisgravesituationisbyextendingstillgreaterprivilegestothosewhohavealreadymonopolizedtheearth，andbystillfurtherenslavingthedisinheritedmasses。Thustheentirearsenalofgovernment——laws，police，soldiers，thecourts，legislatures，prisons，——isstrenuouslyengagedin"harmonizing"themostantagonisticelementsinsociety。
Themostabsurdapologyforauthorityandlawisthattheyservetodiminishcrime。AsidefromthefactthattheStateisitselfthegreatestcriminal，breakingeverywrittenandnaturallaw，stealingintheformoftaxes，killingintheformofwarandcapitalpunishment，ithascometoanabsolutestandstillincopingwithcrime。Ithasfailedutterlytodestroyorevenminimizethehorriblescourgeofitsowncreation。
Crimeisnaughtbutmisdirectedenergy。Solongaseveryinstitutionoftoday，economic，political，social，andmoral，conspirestomisdirecthumanenergyintowrongchannels；solongasmostpeopleareoutofplacedoingthethingstheyhatetodo，livingalifetheyloathetolive，crimewillbeinevitable，andallthelawsonthestatutescanonlyincrease，butneverdoawaywith，crime。Whatdoessociety，asitexiststoday，knowoftheprocessofdespair，thepoverty，thehorrors，thefearfulstrugglethehumansoulmustpassonitswaytocrimeanddegradation。WhothatknowsthisterribleprocesscanfailtoseethetruthinthesewordsofPeterKropotkin:
"Thosewhowillholdthebalancebetweenthebenefitsthusattributedtolawandpunishmentandthedegradingeffectofthelatteronhumanity；thosewhowillestimatethetorrentofdepravitypouredabroadinhumansocietybytheinformer，favoredbytheJudgeeven，andpaidforinclinkingcashbygovernments，underthepretextofaidingtounmaskcrime；thosewhowillgowithinprisonwallsandthereseewhathumanbeingsbecomewhendeprivedofliberty，whensubjectedtothecareofbrutalkeepers，tocoarse，cruelwords，toathousandstinging，piercinghumiliations，willagreewithusthattheentireapparatusofprisonandpunishmentisanabominationwhichoughttobebroughttoanend。"
Thedeterrentinfluenceoflawonthelazymanistooabsurdtomeritconsideration。Ifsocietywereonlyrelievedofthewasteandexpenseofkeepingalazyclass，andtheequallygreatexpenseoftheparaphernaliaofprotectionthislazyclassrequires，thesocialtableswouldcontainanabundanceforall，includingeventheoccasionallazyindividual。Besides，itiswelltoconsiderthatlazinessresultseitherfromspecialprivileges，orphysicalandmentalabnormalities。Ourpresentinsanesystemofproductionfostersboth，andthemostastoundingphenomenonisthatpeopleshouldwanttoworkatallnow。Anarchismaimstostriplaborofitsdeadening，dullingaspect，ofitsgloomandcompulsion。Itaimstomakeworkaninstrumentofjoy，ofstrength，ofcolor，ofrealharmony，sothatthepoorestsortofamanshouldfindinworkbothrecreationandhope。
Toachievesuchanarrangementoflife，government，withitsunjust，arbitrary，repressivemeasures，mustbedoneawaywith。Atbestithasbutimposedonesinglemodeoflifeuponall，withoutregardtoindividualandsocialvariationsandneeds。Indestroyinggovernmentandstatutorylaws，Anarchismproposestorescuetheself-respectandindependenceoftheindividualfromallrestraintandinvasionbyauthority。Onlyinfreedomcanmangrowtohisfullstature。Onlyinfreedomwillhelearntothinkandmove，andgivetheverybestinhim。Onlyinfreedomwillherealizethetrueforceofthesocialbondswhichknitmentogether，andwhicharethetruefoundationofanormalsociallife。
Butwhatabouthumannature？Canitbechanged？Andifnot，willitendureunderAnarchism？
Poorhumannature，whathorriblecrimeshavebeencommittedinthyname！Everyfool，fromkingtopoliceman，fromtheflatheadedparsontothevisionlessdabblerinscience，presumestospeakauthoritativelyofhumannature。Thegreaterthementalcharlatan，themoredefinitehisinsistenceonthewickednessandweaknessesofhumannature。Yet，howcananyonespeakofittoday，witheverysoulinaprison，witheveryheartfettered，wounded，andmaimed？
JohnBurroughshasstatedthatexperimentalstudyofanimalsincaptivityisabsolutelyuseless。Theircharacter，theirhabits，theirappetitesundergoacompletetransformationwhentornfromtheirsoilinfieldandforest。Withhumannaturecagedinanarrowspace，whippeddailyintosubmission，howcanwespeakofitspotentialities？
Freedom，expansion，opportunity，and，aboveall，peaceandrepose，alonecanteachustherealdominantfactorsofhumannatureandallitswonderfulpossibilities。
Anarchism，then，reallystandsfortheliberationofthehumanmindfromthedominionofreligion；theliberationofthehumanbodyfromthedominionofproperty；liberationfromtheshacklesandrestraintofgovernment。Anarchismstandsforasocialorderbasedonthefreegroupingofindividualsforthepurposeofproducingrealsocialwealth；anorderthatwillguaranteetoeveryhumanbeingfreeaccesstotheearthandfullenjoymentofthenecessitiesoflife，accordingtoindividualdesires，tastes，andinclinations。
Thisisnotawildfancyoranaberrationofthemind。Itistheconclusionarrivedatbyhostsofintellectualmenandwomentheworldover；aconclusionresultingfromthecloseandstudiousobservationofthetendenciesofmodernsociety:individuallibertyandeconomicequality，thetwinforcesforthebirthofwhatisfineandtrueinman。
Astomethods。Anarchismisnot，assomemaysuppose，atheoryofthefuturetoberealizedthroughdivineinspiration。Itisalivingforceintheaffairsofourlife，constantlycreatingnewconditions。
ThemethodsofAnarchismthereforedonotcompriseaniron-cladprogramtobecarriedoutunderallcircumstances。Methodsmustgrowoutoftheeconomicneedsofeachplaceandclime，andoftheintellectualandtemperamentalrequirementsoftheindividual。Theserene，calmcharacterofaTolstoywillwishdifferentmethodsforsocialreconstructionthantheintense，overflowingpersonalityofaMichaelBakuninoraPeterKropotkin。EquallysoitmustbeapparentthattheeconomicandpoliticalneedsofRussiawilldictatemoredrasticmeasuresthanwouldEnglandorAmerica。Anarchismdoesnotstandformilitarydrillanduniformity；itdoes，however，standforthespiritofrevolt，inwhateverform，againsteverythingthathindershumangrowth。AllAnarchistsagreeinthat，astheyalsoagreeintheiroppositiontothepoliticalmachineryasameansofbringingaboutthegreatsocialchange。
"Allvoting，"saysThoreau，"isasortofgaming，likecheckers，orbackgammon，aplayingwithrightandwrong；itsobligationneverexceedsthatofexpediency。Evenvotingfortherightthingisdoingnothingforit。Awisemanwillnotleavetherighttothemercyofchance，norwishittoprevailthroughthepowerofthemajority。"
AcloseexaminationofthemachineryofpoliticsanditsachievementswillbearoutthelogicofThoreau。
Whatdoesthehistoryofparliamentarismshow？Nothingbutfailureanddefeat，notevenasinglereformtoamelioratetheeconomicandsocialstressofthepeople。Lawshavebeenpassedandenactmentsmadefortheimprovementandprotectionoflabor。ThusitwasprovenonlylastyearthatIllinois，withthemostrigidlawsformineprotection，hadthegreatestminedisasters。InStateswherechildlaborlawsprevail，childexploitationisatitshighest，andthoughwithustheworkersenjoyfullpoliticalopportunities，capitalismhasreachedthemostbrazenzenith。
Evenweretheworkersabletohavetheirownrepresentatives，forwhichourgoodSocialistpoliticiansareclamoring，whatchancesaretherefortheirhonestyandgoodfaith？Onehasbuttobearinmindtheprocessofpoliticstorealizethatitspathofgoodintentionsisfullofpitfalls:wire-pulling，intriguing，flattering，lying，cheating；infact，chicaneryofeverydescription，wherebythepoliticalaspirantcanachievesuccess。Addedtothatisacompletedemoralizationofcharacterandconviction，untilnothingisleftthatwouldmakeonehopeforanythingfromsuchahumanderelict。
Timeandtimeagainthepeoplewerefoolishenoughtotrust，believe，andsupportwiththeirlastfarthingaspiringpoliticians，onlytofindthemselvesbetrayedandcheated。
Itmaybeclaimedthatmenofintegritywouldnotbecomecorruptinthepoliticalgrindingmill。Perhapsnot；butsuchmenwouldbeabsolutelyhelplesstoexerttheslightestinfluenceinbehalfoflabor，asindeedhasbeenshowninnumerousinstances。TheStateistheeconomicmasterofitsservants。Goodmen，ifsuchtherebe，wouldeitherremaintruetotheirpoliticalfaithandlosetheireconomicsupport，ortheywouldclingtotheireconomicmasterandbeutterlyunabletodotheslightestgood。Thepoliticalarenaleavesonenoalternative，onemusteitherbeadunceorarogue。
Thepoliticalsuperstitionisstillholdingswayovertheheartsandmindsofthemasses，butthetrueloversoflibertywillhavenomoretodowithit。Instead，theybelievewithStirnerthatmanhasasmuchlibertyasheiswillingtotake。Anarchismthereforestandsfordirectaction，theopendefianceof，andresistanceto，alllawsandrestrictions，economic，social，andmoral。Butdefianceandresistanceareillegal。Thereinliesthesalvationofman。
Everythingillegalnecessitatesintegrity，self-reliance，andcourage。Inshort，itcallsforfree，independentspirits，for"menwhoaremen，andwhohaveaboneintheirbackswhichyoucannotpassyourhandthrough。"
Universalsuffrageitselfowesitsexistencetodirectaction。Ifnotforthespiritofrebellion，ofthedefianceonthepartoftheAmericanrevolutionaryfathers，theirposteritywouldstillweartheKing’scoat。IfnotforthedirectactionofaJohnBrownandhiscomrades，Americawouldstilltradeinthefleshoftheblackman。
True，thetradeinwhitefleshisstillgoingon；butthat，too，willhavetobeabolishedbydirectaction。Trade-unionism，theeconomicarenaofthemoderngladiator，owesitsexistencetodirectaction。
Itisbutrecentlythatlawandgovernmenthaveattemptedtocrushthetrade-unionmovement，andcondemnedtheexponentsofman’srighttoorganizetoprisonasconspirators。Hadtheysoughttoasserttheircausethroughbegging，pleading，andcompromise，trade-unionismwouldtodaybeanegligiblequantity。InFrance，inSpain，inItaly，inRussia，nayeveninEnglandwitnessthegrowingrebellionofEnglishlaborunionsdirect，revolutionary，economicactionhasbecomesostrongaforceinthebattleforindustriallibertyastomaketheworldrealizethetremendousimportanceoflabor’spower。
TheGeneralStrike，thesupremeexpressionoftheeconomicconsciousnessoftheworkers，wasridiculedinAmericabutashorttimeago。Todayeverygreatstrike，inordertowin，mustrealizetheimportanceofthesolidaricgeneralprotest。
Directaction，havingproveneffectivealongeconomiclines，isequallypotentintheenvironmentoftheindividual。Thereahundredforcesencroachuponhisbeing，andonlypersistentresistancetothemwillfinallysethimfree。Directactionagainsttheauthorityintheshop，directactionagainsttheauthorityofthelaw，directactionagainsttheinvasive，meddlesomeauthorityofourmoralcode，isthelogical，consistentmethodofAnarchism。
Willitnotleadtoarevolution？Indeed，itwill。Norealsocialchangehasevercomeaboutwithoutarevolution。Peopleareeithernotfamiliarwiththeirhistory，ortheyhavenotyetlearnedthatrevolutionisbutthoughtcarriedintoaction。
Anarchism，thegreatleavenofthought，istodaypermeatingeveryphaseofhumanendeavor。Science，art，literature，thedrama，theeffortforeconomicbetterment，infacteveryindividualandsocialoppositiontotheexistingdisorderofthings，isilluminedbythespirituallightofAnarchism。Itisthephilosophyofthesovereigntyoftheindividual。Itisthetheoryofsocialharmony。
Itisthegreat，surging，livingtruththatisreconstructingtheworld，andthatwillusherintheDawn。
MINORITIESVERSUSMAJORITIES
IfIweretogiveasummaryofthetendencyofourtimes，Iwouldsay，Quantity。Themultitude，themassspirit，dominateseverywhere，destroyingquality。Ourentirelife——production，politics，andeducation——restsonquantity，onnumbers。Theworkerwhooncetookprideinthethoroughnessandqualityofhiswork，hasbeenreplacedbybrainless，incompetentautomatons，whoturnoutenormousquantitiesofthings，valuelesstothemselves，andgenerallyinjurioustotherestofmankind。Thusquantity，insteadofaddingtolife’scomfortsandpeace，hasmerelyincreasedman’sburden。
Inpolitics，naughtbutquantitycounts。Inproportiontoitsincrease，however，principles，ideals，justice，anduprightnessarecompletelyswampedbythearrayofnumbers。Inthestruggleforsupremacythevariouspoliticalpartiesoutdoeachotherintrickery，deceit，cunning，andshadymachinations，confidentthattheonewhosucceedsissuretobehailedbythemajorityasthevictor。Thatistheonlygod，——Success。Astowhatexpense，whatterriblecosttocharacter，isofnomoment。Wehavenotfartogoinsearchofprooftoverifythissadfact。
Neverbeforedidthecorruption，thecompleterottennessofourgovernmentstandsothoroughlyexposed；neverbeforeweretheAmericanpeoplebroughtfacetofacewiththeJudasnatureofthatpoliticalbody，whichhasclaimedforyearstobeabsolutelybeyondreproach，asthemainstayofourinstitutions，thetrueprotectoroftherightsandlibertiesofthepeople。
Yetwhenthecrimesofthatpartybecamesobrazenthateventheblindcouldseethem，itneededbuttomusterupitsminions，anditssupremacywasassured。Thustheveryvictims，duped，betrayed，outragedahundredtimes，decided，notagainst，butinfavorofthevictor。Bewildered，thefewaskedhowcouldthemajoritybetraythetraditionsofAmericanliberty？Wherewasitsjudgment，itsreasoningcapacity？Thatisjustit，themajoritycannotreason；ithasnojudgment。Lackingutterlyinoriginalityandmoralcourage，themajorityhasalwaysplaceditsdestinyinthehandsofothers。
Incapableofstandingresponsibilities，ithasfolloweditsleadersevenuntodestruction。Dr。Stockmanwasright:"Themostdangerousenemiesoftruthandjusticeinourmidstarethecompactmajorities，thedamnedcompactmajority。"Withoutambitionorinitiative，thecompactmasshatesnothingsomuchasinnovation。Ithasalwaysopposed，condemned，andhoundedtheinnovator，thepioneerofanewtruth。
Theoftrepeatedsloganofourtimeis，amongallpoliticians，theSocialistsincluded，thatoursisaneraofindividualism，oftheminority。Onlythosewhodonotprobebeneaththesurfacemightbeledtoentertainthisview。Havenotthefewaccumulatedthewealthoftheworld？Aretheynotthemasters，theabsolutekingsofthesituation？Theirsuccess，however，isduenottoindividualism，buttotheinertia，thecravenness，theuttersubmissionofthemass。
Thelatterwantsbuttobedominated，tobeled，tobecoerced。Astoindividualism，atnotimeinhumanhistorydidithavelesschanceofexpression，lessopportunitytoassertitselfinanormal，healthymanner。
Theindividualeducatorimbuedwithhonestyofpurpose，theartistorwriteroforiginalideas，theindependentscientistorexplorer，thenon-compromisingpioneersofsocialchangesaredailypushedtothewallbymenwhoselearningandcreativeabilityhavebecomedecrepitwithage。
EducatorsofFerrer’stypearenowheretolerated，whilethedietitiansofpredigestedfood，alaProfessorsEliotandButler，arethesuccessfulperpetuatorsofanageofnonentities，ofautomatons。
Intheliteraryanddramaticworld，theHumphreyWardsandClydeFitchesaretheidolsofthemass，whilebutfewknoworappreciatethebeautyandgeniusofanEmerson，Thoreau，Whitman；anIbsen，aHauptmann，aButlerYeats，oraStephenPhillips。Theyarelikesolitarystars，farbeyondthehorizonofthemultitude。
Publishers，theatricalmanagers，andcriticsasknotforthequalityinherentincreativeart，butwillitmeetwithagoodsale，willitsuitthepalateofthepeople？Alas，thispalateislikeadumpingground；itrelishesanythingthatneedsnomentalmastication。Asaresult，themediocre，theordinary，thecommonplacerepresentsthechiefliteraryoutput。
NeedIsaythatinartweareconfrontedwiththesamesadfacts？
Onehasbuttoinspectourparksandthoroughfarestorealizethehideousnessandvulgarityoftheartmanufacture。Certainly，nonebutamajoritytastewouldtoleratesuchanoutrageonart。Falseinconceptionandbarbarousinexecution，thestatuarythatinfestsAmericancitieshasasmuchrelationtotrueart，asatotemtoaMichaelAngelo。Yetthatistheonlyartthatsucceeds。Thetrueartisticgenius，whowillnotcatertoacceptednotions，whoexercisesoriginality，andstrivestobetruetolife，leadsanobscureandwretchedexistence。Hisworkmaysomedaybecomethefadofthemob，butnotuntilhisheart’sbloodhadbeenexhausted；notuntilthepathfinderhasceasedtobe，andathrongofanideallessandvisionlessmobhasdonetodeaththeheritageofthemaster。
ItissaidthattheartistoftodaycannotcreatebecausePrometheus-likeheisboundtotherockofeconomicnecessity。
This，however，istrueofartinallages。MichaelAngelowasdependentonhispatronsaint，nolessthanthesculptororpainteroftoday，exceptthattheartconnoisseursofthosedayswerefarawayfromthemaddingcrowd。Theyfelthonoredtobepermittedtoworshipattheshrineofthemaster。
Theartprotectorofourtimeknowsbutonecriterion，onevalue，——thedollar。Heisnotconcernedaboutthequalityofanygreatwork，butinthequantityofdollarshispurchaseimplies。
ThusthefinancierinMirbeau’sLESAFFAIRESSONTLESAFFAIRESpointstosomeblurredarrangementincolors，saying"Seehowgreatitis；
itcost50，000francs。"Justlikeourownparvenues。Thefabulousfigurespaidfortheirgreatartdiscoveriesmustmakeupforthepovertyoftheirtaste。
Themostunpardonablesininsocietyisindependenceofthought。
Thatthisshouldbesoterriblyapparentinacountrywhosesymbolisdemocracy，isverysignificantofthetremendouspowerofthemajority。
WendellPhillipssaidfiftyyearsago:"Inourcountryofabsolutedemocraticequality，publicopinionisnotonlyomnipotent，itisomnipresent。Thereisnorefugefromitstyranny，thereisnohidingfromitsreach，andtheresultisthatifyoutaketheoldGreeklanternandgoabouttoseekamongahundred，youwillnotfindasingleAmericanwhohasnot，orwhodoesnotfancyatleasthehas，somethingtogainorloseinhisambition，hissociallife，orbusiness，fromthegoodopinionandthevotesofthosearoundhim。
Andtheconsequenceisthatinsteadofbeingamassofindividuals，eachonefearlesslyblurtingouthisownconviction，asanationcomparedtoothernationsweareamassofcowards。Morethananyotherpeopleweareafraidofeachother。"EvidentlywehavenotadvancedveryfarfromtheconditionthatconfrontedWendellPhillips。
Today，asthen，publicopinionistheomnipresenttyrant；today，asthen，themajorityrepresentsamassofcowards，willingtoaccepthimwhomirrorsitsownsoulandmindpoverty。ThataccountsfortheunprecedentedriseofamanlikeRoosevelt。Heembodiestheveryworstelementofmobpsychology。Apolitician，heknowsthatthemajoritycareslittleforidealsorintegrity。Whatitcravesisdisplay。Itmattersnotwhetherthatbeadogshow，aprizefight，thelynchingofa"nigger，"theroundingupofsomepettyoffender，themarriageexpositionofanheiress，ortheacrobaticstuntsofanex-president。Themorehideousthementalcontortions，thegreaterthedelightandbravosofthemass。Thus，poorinidealsandvulgarofsoul，Rooseveltcontinuestobethemanofthehour。
Ontheotherhand，mentoweringhighabovesuchpoliticalpygmies，menofrefinement，ofculture，ofability，arejeeredintosilenceasmollycoddles。Itisabsurdtoclaimthatoursistheeraofindividualism。Oursismerelyamorepoignantrepetitionofthephenomenonofallhistory:everyeffortforprogress，forenlightenment，forscience，forreligious，political，andeconomicliberty，emanatesfromtheminority，andnotfromthemass。Today，asever，thefewaremisunderstood，hounded，imprisoned，tortured，andkilled。
TheprincipleofbrotherhoodexpoundedbytheagitatorofNazarethpreservedthegermoflife，oftruthandjustice，solongasitwasthebeaconlightofthefew。Themomentthemajorityseizeduponit，thatgreatprinciplebecameashibbolethandharbingerofbloodandfire，spreadingsufferinganddisaster。TheattackontheomnipotenceofRomewaslikeasunriseamidthedarknessofthenight，onlysolongasitwasmadebythecolossalfiguresofaHuss，aCalvin，oraLuther。YetwhenthemassjoinedintheprocessionagainsttheCatholicmonster，itwasnolesscruel，nolessbloodthirstythanitsenemy。Woetotheheretics，totheminority，whowouldnotbowtoitsdicta。Afterinfinitezeal，endurance，andsacrifice，thehumanmindisatlastfreefromthereligiousphantom；
theminorityhasgoneoninpursuitofnewconquests，andthemajorityislaggingbehind，handicappedbytruthgrownfalsewithage。
Politicallythehumanracewouldstillbeinthemostabsoluteslavery，wereitnotfortheJohnBalls，theWatTylers，theTells，theinnumerableindividualgiantswhofoughtinchbyinchagainstthepowerofkingsandtyrants。Butforindividualpioneerstheworldwouldhaveneverbeenshakentoitsveryrootsbythattremendouswave，theFrenchRevolution。Greateventsareusuallyprecededbyapparentlysmallthings。ThustheeloquenceandfireofCamilleDesmoulinswaslikethetrumpetbeforeJericho，razingtothegroundthatemblemoftorture，ofabuse，ofhorror，theBastille。
Always，ateveryperiod，thefewwerethebannerbearersofagreatidea，ofliberatingeffort。Notsothemass，theleadenweightofwhichdoesnotletitmove。ThetruthofthisisborneoutinRussiawithgreaterforcethanelsewhere。Thousandsofliveshavealreadybeenconsumedbythatbloodyregime，yetthemonsteronthethroneisnotappeased。Howissuchathingpossiblewhenideas，culture，literature，whenthedeepestandfinestemotionsgroanundertheironyoke？Themajority，thatcompact，immobile，drowsymass，theRussianpeasant，afteracenturyofstruggle，ofsacrifice，ofuntoldmisery，stillbelievesthattheropewhichstrangles"themanwiththewhitehands"*bringsluck——
*Theintellectuals——
IntheAmericanstruggleforliberty，themajoritywasnolessofastumblingblock。UntilthisverydaytheideasofJefferson，ofPatrickHenry，ofThomasPaine，aredeniedandsoldbytheirposterity。Themasswantsnoneofthem。ThegreatnessandcourageworshippedinLincolnhavebeenforgotteninthemenwhocreatedthebackgroundforthepanoramaofthattime。ThetruepatronsaintsoftheblackmenwererepresentedinthathandfuloffightersinBoston，LloydGarrison，WendellPhillips，Thoreau，MargaretFuller，andTheodoreParker，whosegreatcourageandsturdinessculminatedinthatsombergiant，JohnBrown。Theiruntiringzeal，theireloquenceandperseveranceunderminedthestrongholdoftheSouthernlords。
Lincolnandhisminionsfollowedonlywhenabolitionhadbecomeapracticalissue，recognizedassuchbyall。
Aboutfiftyyearsago，ameteor-likeideamadeitsappearanceonthesocialhorizonoftheworld，anideasofar-reaching，sorevolutionary，soall-embracingastospreadterrorintheheartsoftyrantseverywhere。Ontheotherhand，thatideawasaharbingerofjoy，ofcheer，ofhopetothemillions。Thepioneersknewthedifficultiesintheirway，theyknewtheopposition，thepersecution，thehardshipsthatwouldmeetthem，butproudandunafraidtheystartedontheirmarchonward，everonward。Nowthatideahasbecomeapopularslogan。AlmosteveryoneisaSocialisttoday:therichman，aswellashispoorvictim；theupholdersoflawandauthority，aswellastheirunfortunateculprits；thefreethinker，aswellastheperpetuatorofreligiousfalsehoods；thefashionablelady，aswellastheshirtwaistgirl。Whynot？Nowthatthetruthoffiftyyearsagohasbecomealie，nowthatithasbeenclippedofallitsyouthfulimagination，andbeenrobbedofitsvigor，itsstrength，itsrevolutionaryideal——whynot？Nowthatitisnolongerabeautifulvision，buta"practical，workablescheme，"restingonthewillofthemajority，whynot？Withthesamepoliticalcunningandshrewdnessthemassispetted，pampered，cheateddaily。Itspraiseisbeingsunginmanykeys:thepoormajority，theoutraged，theabused，thegiantmajority，ifonlyitwouldfollowus。
Whohasnotheardthislitanybefore？Whodoesnotknowthisnever-varyingrefrainofallpoliticians？Thatthemassbleeds，thatitisbeingrobbedandexploited，Iknowaswellasourvote-baiters。
ButIinsistthatnotthehandfulofparasites，butthemassitselfisresponsibleforthishorriblestateofaffairs。Itclingstoitsmasters，lovesthewhip，andisthefirsttocryCrucify！themomentaprotestingvoiceisraisedagainstthesacrednessofcapitalisticauthorityoranyotherdecayedinstitution。Yethowlongwouldauthorityandprivatepropertyexist，ifnotforthewillingnessofthemasstobecomesoldiers，policemen，jailers，andhangmen。TheSocialistdemagoguesknowthataswellasI，buttheymaintainthemythofthevirtuesofthemajority，becausetheirveryschemeoflifemeanstheperpetuationofpower。Andhowcouldthelatterbeacquiredwithoutnumbers？Yes，power，authority，coercion，anddependencerestonthemass，butneverfreedom，neverthefreeunfoldmentoftheindividual，neverthebirthofafreesociety。
NotbecauseIdonotfeelwiththeoppressed，thedisinheritedoftheearth；notbecauseIdonotknowtheshame，thehorror，theindignityofthelivesthepeoplelead，doIrepudiatethemajorityasacreativeforceforgood。Oh，no，no！ButbecauseIknowsowellthatasacompactmassithasneverstoodforjusticeorequality。
Ithassuppressedthehumanvoice，subduedthehumanspirit，chainedthehumanbody。Asamassitsaimhasalwaysbeentomakelifeuniform，gray，andmonotonousasthedesert。Asamassitwillalwaysbetheannihilatorofindividuality，offreeinitiative，oforiginality。IthereforebelievewithEmersonthat"themassesarecrude，lame，perniciousintheirdemandsandinfluence，andneednottobeflattered，buttobeschooled。Iwishnottoconcedeanythingtothem，buttodrill，divide，andbreakthemup，anddrawindividualsoutofthem。Masses！Thecalamityarethemasses。Idonotwishanymassatall，buthonestmenonly，lovely，sweet，accomplishedwomenonly。"
Inotherwords，theliving，vitaltruthofsocialandeconomicwell-beingwillbecomearealityonlythroughthezeal，courage，thenon-compromisingdeterminationofintelligentminorities，andnotthroughthemass。
THEPSYCHOLOGYOFPOLITICALVIOLENCE
Toanalyzethepsychologyofpoliticalviolenceisnotonlyextremelydifficult，butalsoverydangerous。Ifsuchactsaretreatedwithunderstanding，oneisimmediatelyaccusedofeulogizingthem。If，ontheotherhand，humansympathyisexpressedwiththeATTENTATER，*onerisksbeingconsideredapossibleaccomplice。Yetitisonlyintelligenceandsympathythatcanbringusclosertothesourceofhumansuffering，andteachustheultimatewayoutofit——
*Arevolutionistcommittinganactofpoliticalviolence——
Theprimitiveman，ignorantofnaturalforces，dreadedtheirapproach，hidingfromtheperilstheythreatened。AsmanlearnedtounderstandNature’sphenomena，herealizedthatthoughthesemaydestroylifeandcausegreatloss，theyalsobringrelief。Totheearneststudentitmustbeapparentthattheaccumulatedforcesinoursocialandeconomiclife，culminatinginapoliticalactofviolence，aresimilartotheterrorsoftheatmosphere，manifestedinstormandlightning。
Tothoroughlyappreciatethetruthofthisview，onemustfeelintenselytheindignityofoursocialwrongs；one’sverybeingmustthrobwiththepain，thesorrow，thedespairmillionsofpeoplearedailymadetoendure。Indeed，unlesswehavebecomeapartofhumanity，wecannotevenfaintlyunderstandthejustindignationthataccumulatesinahumansoul，theburning，surgingpassionthatmakesthestorminevitable。
Theignorantmasslooksuponthemanwhomakesaviolentprotestagainstoursocialandeconomiciniquitiesasuponawildbeast，acruel，heartlessmonster，whosejoyitistodestroylifeandbatheinblood；oratbest，asuponanirresponsiblelunatic。Yetnothingisfurtherfromthetruth。Asamatteroffact，thosewhohavestudiedthecharacterandpersonalityofthesemen，orwhohavecomeinclosecontactwiththem，areagreedthatitistheirsuper-sensitivenesstothewrongandinjusticesurroundingthemwhichcompelsthemtopaythetollofoursocialcrimes。Themostnotedwritersandpoets，discussingthepsychologyofpoliticaloffenders，havepaidthemthehighesttribute。Couldanyoneassumethatthesemenhadadvisedviolence，orevenapprovedoftheacts？Certainlynot。Theirswastheattitudeofthesocialstudent，ofthemanwhoknowsthatbeyondeveryviolentactthereisavitalcause。
BjornstjerneBjornson，inthesecondpartofBEYONDHUMANPOWER，emphasizesthefactthatitisamongtheAnarchiststhatwemustlookforthemodernmartyrswhopayfortheirfaithwiththeirblood，andwhowelcomedeathwithasmile，becausetheybelieve，astrulyasChristdid，thattheirmartyrdomwillredeemhumanity。
FrancoisCoppee，theFrenchnovelist，thusexpresseshimselfregardingthepsychologyoftheATTENTATER:
"ThereadingofthedetailsofVaillant’sexecutionleftmeinathoughtfulmood。Iimaginedhimexpandinghischestundertheropes，marchingwithfirmstep，stiffeninghiswill，concentratingallhisenergy，and，witheyesfixedupontheknife，hurlingfinallyatsocietyhiscryofmalediction。And，inspiteofme，anotherspectaclerosesuddenlybeforemymind。Isawagroupofmenandwomenpressingagainsteachotherinthemiddleoftheoblongarenaofthecircus，underthegazeofthousandsofeyes，whilefromallthestepsoftheimmenseamphitheatrewentuptheterriblecry，AD
LEONES！and，below，theopeningcagesofthewildbeasts。
"Ididnotbelievetheexecutionwouldtakeplace。Inthefirstplace，novictimhadbeenstruckwithdeath，andithadlongbeenthecustomnottopunishanabortivecrimewiththelastdegreeofseverity。Then，thiscrime，howeverterribleinintention，wasdisinterested，bornofanabstractidea。Theman’spast，hisabandonedchildhood，hislifeofhardship，pleadedalsoinhisfavor。
Intheindependentpressgenerousvoiceswereraisedinhisbehalf，veryloudandeloquent。’Apurelyliterarycurrentofopinion’somehavesaid，withnolittlescorn。ITIS，ONTHECONTRARY，ANHONORTO
THEMENOFARTANDTHOUGHTTOHAVEEXPRESSEDONCEMORETHEIRDISGUST
ATTHESCAFFOLD。"
AgainZola，inGERMINALandPARIS，describesthetendernessandkindness，thedeepsympathywithhumansuffering，ofthesemenwhoclosethechapteroftheirliveswithaviolentoutbreakagainstoursystem。
Last，butnotleast，themanwhoprobablybetterthananyoneelseunderstandsthepsychologyoftheATTENTATERisM。Hamon，theauthorofthebrilliantwork，UNEPSYCHOLOGIEDUMILITAIREPROFESSIONEL，whohasarrivedatthesesuggestiveconclusions:
"ThepositivemethodconfirmedbytherationalmethodenablesustoestablishanidealtypeofAnarchist，whosementalityistheaggregateofcommonpsychiccharacteristics。EveryAnarchistpartakessufficientlyofthisidealtypetomakeitpossibletodifferentiatehimfromothermen。ThetypicalAnarchist，then，maybedefinedasfollows:Amanperceptiblebythespiritofrevoltunderoneormoreofitsforms，——opposition，investigation，criticism，innovation，——endowedwithastrongloveofliberty，egoisticorindividualistic，andpossessedofgreatcuriosity，akeendesiretoknow。Thesetraitsaresupplementedbyanardentloveofothers，ahighlydevelopedmoralsensitiveness，aprofoundsentimentofjustice，andimbuedwithmissionaryzeal。"
Totheabovecharacteristics，saysAlvinF。Sanborn，mustbeaddedthesesterlingqualities:arareloveofanimals，surpassingsweetnessinalltheordinaryrelationsoflife，exceptionalsobrietyofdemeanor，frugalityandregularity，austerity，even，ofliving，andcouragebeyondcompare。*——
*PARISANDTHESOCIALREVOLUTION——
"Thereisatruismthatthemaninthestreetseemsalwaystoforget，whenheisabusingtheAnarchists，orwhateverpartyhappenstobehisBETENOIREforthemoment，asthecauseofsomeoutragejustperpetrated。Thisindisputablefactisthathomicidaloutrageshave，fromtimeimmemorial，beenthereplyofgoadedanddesperateclasses，andgoadedanddesperateindividuals，towrongsfromtheirfellowmen，whichtheyfelttobeintolerable。Suchactsaretheviolentrecoilfromviolence，whetheraggressiveorrepressive；theyarethelastdesperatestruggleofoutragedandexasperatedhumannatureforbreathingspaceandlife。Andtheircauseliesnotinanyspecialconviction，butinthedepthsofthathumannatureitself。Thewholecourseofhistory，politicalandsocial，isstrewnwithevidenceofthisfact。Togonofurther，takethethreemostnotoriousexamplesofpoliticalpartiesgoadedintoviolenceduringthelastfiftyyears:theMazziniansinItaly，theFeniansinIreland，andtheTerroristsinRussia。WerethesepeopleAnarchists？No。Didtheyallthreeevenholdthesamepoliticalopinions？No。TheMazzinianswereRepublicans，theFenianspoliticalseparatists，theRussiansSocialDemocratsorConstitutionalists。Butallweredrivenbydesperatecircumstancesintothisterribleformofrevolt。Andwhenweturnfrompartiestoindividualswhohaveactedinlikemanner，westandappalledbythenumberofhumanbeingsgoadedanddrivenbysheerdesperationintoconductobviouslyviolentlyopposedtotheirsocialinstincts。
"NowthatAnarchismhasbecomealivingforceinsociety，suchdeedshavebeensometimescommittedbyAnarchists，aswellasbyothers。
Fornonewfaith，eventhemostessentiallypeaceableandhumanethemindofmanhasyetaccepted，butatitsfirstcominghasbroughtuponearthnotpeace，butasword；notbecauseofanythingviolentoranti-socialinthedoctrineitself；simplybecauseofthefermentanynewandcreativeideaexcitesinmen’sminds，whethertheyacceptorrejectit。AndaconceptionofAnarchism，which，ononehand，threatenseveryvestedinterest，and，ontheother，holdsoutavisionofafreeandnoblelifetobewonbyastruggleagainstexistingwrongs，iscertaintorousethefiercestopposition，andbringthewholerepressiveforceofancientevilintoviolentcontactwiththetumultuousoutburstofanewhope。
"Undermiserableconditionsoflife，anyvisionofthepossibilityofbetterthingsmakesthepresentmiserymoreintolerable，andspursthosewhosuffertothemostenergeticstrugglestoimprovetheirlot，andifthesestrugglesonlyimmediatelyresultinsharpermisery，theoutcomeissheerdesperation。Inourpresentsociety，forinstance，anexploitedwageworker，whocatchesaglimpseofwhatworkandlifemightandoughttobe，findsthetoilsomeroutineandthesqualorofhisexistencealmostintolerable；andevenwhenhehastheresolutionandcouragetocontinuesteadilyworkinghisbest，andwaitinguntilnewideashavesopermeatedsocietyastopavethewayforbettertimes，themerefactthathehassuchideasandtriestospreadthem，bringshimintodifficultieswithhisemployers。HowmanythousandsofSocialists，andaboveallAnarchists，havelostworkandeventhechanceofwork，solelyonthegroundoftheiropinions。Itisonlythespeciallygiftedcraftsman，who，ifhebeazealouspropagandist，canhopetoretainpermanentemployment。Andwhathappenstoamanwithhisbrainworkingactivelywithafermentofnewideas，withavisionbeforehiseyesofanewhopedawningfortoilingandagonizingmen，withtheknowledgethathissufferingandthatofhisfellowsinmiseryisnotcausedbythecrueltyoffate，butbytheinjusticeofotherhumanbeings，——whathappenstosuchamanwhenheseesthosedeartohimstarving，whenhehimselfisstarved？Somenaturesinsuchaplight，andthosebynomeanstheleastsocialortheleastsensitive，willbecomeviolent，andwillevenfeelthattheirviolenceissocialandnotanti-social，thatinstrikingwhenandhowtheycan，theyarestriking，notforthemselves，butforhumannature，outragedanddespoiledintheirpersonsandinthoseoftheirfellowsufferers。Andarewe，whoourselvesarenotinthishorriblepredicament，tostandbyandcoldlycondemnthesepiteousvictimsoftheFuriesandFates？Arewetodecryasmiscreantsthesehumanbeingswhoactwithheroicself-devotion，sacrificingtheirlivesinprotest，wherelesssocialandlessenergeticnatureswouldliedownandgrovelinabjectsubmissiontoinjusticeandwrong？Arewetojointheignorantandbrutaloutcrywhichstigmatizessuchmenasmonstersofwickedness，gratuitouslyrunningamuckinaharmoniousandinnocentlypeacefulsociety？No！WehatemurderwithahatredthatmayseemabsurdlyexaggeratedtoapologistsforMatabelemassacres，tocallousacquiescersinhangingsandbombardments，butwedeclineinsuchcasesofhomicide，orattemptedhomicide，asthoseofwhichwearetreating，tobeguiltyofthecruelinjusticeofflingingthewholeresponsibilityofthedeedupontheimmediateperpetrator。Theguiltofthesehomicidesliesuponeverymanandwomanwho，intentionallyorbycoldindifference，helpstokeepupsocialconditionsthatdrivehumanbeingstodespair。Themanwhoflingshiswholelifeintotheattempt，atthecostofhisownlife，toprotestagainstthewrongsofhisfellowmen，isasaintcomparedtotheactiveandpassiveupholdersofcrueltyandinjustice，evenifhisprotestdestroyotherlivesbesideshisown。Lethimwhoiswithoutsininsocietycastthefirststoneatsuchanone。"*——
*FromapamphletissuedbytheFreedomGroupofLondon