How can Anarchists as idealists, as people who want to test the unknown, not come to an agreement on which action will best make our ideology a practical reality? It seems to me Agorism is the only solution even on the table, for even the great Murray Rothbard thought the LP and the political change to be the most plausible solution. How can this be true? I am not saying abandon all action within the state to possibly bring about more liberty than prior. I am however saying that if this great idea, this movement to change the system from within had any value, why would government have gotten bigger?
Clearly government got bigger as this plot to change it fought from within. The great Ron Paul as much as he preached liberty minded ideas never made a dent in the polticial world as far as solid change. It really makes the idea of spending all of ones time and energy to do so seem rather foolish and counter productive. Not voting would seem the best option to save one the hassle of entertaining the rigged system. This refusal to vote is fine. It however is not an action to bring about the type of society we want. Education is great, but if political action is not present why would anyone want to take this seriously? One can talk until he or she is blue in the face about liberty but if you cannot say how, why would anyone want to dedicate the time to this movement? If people merely talk against voting and taxes and government but have zero suggestive action as to how they can manifest such a world, then no one will take it seriously. It will seem like nothing more than a fantasy.
If one does not have action along side ideology one has a mere brain without a body. It is just thought and not able to be applied. Correct me if i am wrong people but unless you want to go to war, unless you want to use force, Agorism is the only option i have seen. If not Agorism then what? What other direct political action can be so elegantly in line with the NAP and still advocate the voluntary market activity we desire? People cant just preach the knowledge in the underground, people must be the underground. people must be the change. It is simple enough to see the reality of the situation. Together as one Anarchists can grow and indeed can collapse this currency. This system of slavery.
Fiat money is undesirable for people, it requires individuals be stolen from for it to even be worth anything. Sounds like a conflict of interest to me. Are people so afraid of losing the scraps given? Are people so willing to remain tax mules for a monetary system that benefits a select few? Or will individuals unite under a form of action? That action being Agorism, engaging in counter economics to create the new system of exchange. Peacefully and effectively. all the while decreasing ones own dependence upon the state. I see plenty of rather intelligent people out there, yet they detest Agorism over Rothbards critique. Yet Rothbard proposed a political solution and its obvious our movement has grown far past that. Konkin was ahead in his thinking over the rest of the liberty movement at the time. I think we need to embrace this form of action or please feel free to suggest other forms of action.
We need a better name. Anarchy has a bad rep.
Aside from that, promoting disruptive technology such as block chain and 3D printing (eventually atomically precise manufacturing) will do more to promote anarchy than any 'awareness' ever will.
I agree that voting for this liberal democrat or THAT liberal democrat or THAT moderate democrat doesn't do us any good. In fact it hurts us in the long run. All it does is legitimize the system
Agorism, the counter econoomy. Preferably i use Voluntaryist. However counter economics is universial to all anarchy sects.
I've been CALLED an anarchist for forty years, so I never paid that much mind. I never heard of 'counter economics' until just now. I'm certainly NOT complicent with Socialism in any shape, form, or fashion and in my understanding of the term "left libertarianism' is an oxymoron...heavy on the moron part.
But Agorism sounds good.
I agree with you for the most part, well said! Living by example is super important and reducing your complicity in immoral policy and behavior, though I think education is super important as well. I think we need to combine everything that works, and do whatever we think we can that is right to move freedom forward and make tyranny more obsolete.
Oh yes, education is crucial. For without education of action, ones action is blind. It is the education of libertarianism and anarchism that would inspire the ultimate anarchist act of Agorism. :)
Agorismis a
libertariansocial philosophy that advocates creating a society in which all relations between people are voluntary exchanges by means of counter-economics.Works for me. Other than the fact that they seem to be mostly interested in drugs, the Libertarians lost me when the naked fat guy danced at their convention. I no longer take them seriously.
Since anarchist has unfortunate historical baggage I will Henceforth refer to myself as an Agorist.
Agnostic Agorist...nice ring?
Ah James Weeks lol. He did that mostly to embarass the party, because the party became an embarassment. Agnostic Agorist sounds good.
Thanks for the post. Can you recommend a good book about agorism? I'm very keen to delve deep into this method of counter-economics from a critical (but optimistic!) perspective and try to learn more.
An Agorist Primer and The New Libertarian Manifesto by Samuel E Konkin III. They have audio versions on youtube also. I will find the link to free pdf if you would like.
Nice one thanks. I'll dig out the PDF, thanks though. If I can't find it I will let you know. Peace!
I agree, words are nothing without positive actions to back them up. One of the ways we are trying to detach from the systems, is to become the producers of our own needs. Growing food. Knowing where our water comes from. Reusing and recycling. Trading and Bartering. Connecting with neighbours/community. Helping each other. Basically decentralizing everything!
Sounds like you are doing the right thing :) i commend the effort to rely on self not state. While remaining peaceful.