'Explain the difference between Anarchism and Collectivism' - 15 Marker (June 2015)

3 CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE YOU BEGIN  1) Follow the concept of ‘One Minute, One Mark’. This will ensure your answer is relevant and succinct.  2) Follow the ‘PEEL’ structure within your paragraphs. Answers should be sophisticated, yet clear. Use keywords/examples from current affairs when linking to the question. 3) 15 Mark Questions are not analytical, nor evaluative (Leave this for the 45 Marker to wow the examiner!) Use the following structure as a guide: 1) INTRODUCTION: Define the keywords of the Question (ie: ‘Anarchism’ and ‘Collectivism’). Outline the origins of the topic word – this will highlight to the examiner that you have an awareness of provenance. 2) 3/4 PARAGRAPHS: Each paragraph should start with a strong keyword/thesis. Utilise the ‘PEEL’ structure within your paragraphs. 3) ONE CONCLUSIVE SENTENCE (This is optional)  Conclusive statements can be effective if written well, although do not worry if you run out of time to write one! You should draw up your 3/4 points within one sentence to further indicate clarity to the examiner. INTRODUCTION: Anarchism is the belief that political authority is both evil and unnecessary, and is derived from the Greek term “Anarkhos” meaning ‘without rule’. There are two main schools of Anarchism. Firstly, Collectivist Anarchists believe that cooperative social action is both more efficient and ethical than selfish individualism. Secondly, Individualist Anarchists who sustain the primacy of the interests of the individual over any group in society . POINT ONE: (I have outlined the ‘PEEL’ structure for you within this paragraph) (P) Collectivism is centred on the belief that humans are social creatures with an innate tendency towards altruistic, cooperative and social behaviour. Thus, society operates best when organised into united social groups. The fundamental logic of this stance is that a harmonious society can be achieved through collaboration.(E) Therefore, a peaceful society can exist without the need of a coercive state, such as an economy regulated by the Government.(E) Collectivists thus conclude that the corruptive nature of the state perverts our capacity for a naturally formed community. (L) Collectivist Anarchists therefore have a highly optimistic view of human nature as rational, altruistic and cooperative. This significantly differs from the individualist strand of Anarchism through characterising humans as  gregarious and ultimately perfect.Now see if you can identify the ‘PEEL’ structure within the paragraphs below. This is a good exercise to practice. POINT TWO: A subgroup of Collectivist Anarchism is Joseph Proudhon’s concept of ‘Mutualism’, developed within the mid-nineteenth century. The ideology refers to a system of fair and equitable exchange in which individuals/groups bargain with one another. Proudhon sought to differentiate between ‘possession’ and property’ and unlike Marx, was not opposed to all forms of private property. This was evident through which he orated “property is theft”. Moreover, Mutualism established a system of property ownership that would avoid exploitation and promote social harmony. This practice was pertinent within mutual credit banks in France and Switzerland which provided cheap loans to investors. POINT THREE: Furthermore, Collectivism is also articulated within the Italian theory of ‘Anarcho Syndicalism’, established in the second half of the twentieth century. This notion represented a form of revolutionary trade unionism in which worker syndicates seized control of their factories via a general strike, or other forms of direct democracy. This dogma is still evident within current society in the Spanish Anarcho Syndicalist Trade Union, the CNT. POINT FOUR: Finally, Collectivism is encapsulated within Peter Kropotkin’s ‘Anarcho Communism’. This envisaged a radically decentralised society of small, egalitarian groups in self-governing communities such as the ‘Korean Anarchist Movement’. These societies operate on the basis of cooperation and collectivism. Anarcho Communism thus advocates the communist goal of common ownership and directly democratic communities. CONCLUSIVE STATEMENT: The Collectivist elements of Mutualism, Anarcho Syndicalism and Anarcho Communism are all inextricably linked to the notion of cooperation. This reinforces Anarchism’s internal distinction between its Collectivist and Individualist traits.