In Dr. Per Bylund's speech to Oklahoma State University students at a Free Enterprise Society meeting, he breaks down anarchism, anarcho - capitalism, what it means and some history between the many types of anarchism we know today.
What is Anarchy?
The definition of anarchy, as given by Webster's Dictionary is "a state of disorder due to absence or nonrecognition of authority or other controlling systems", which Dr. Bylund believes to be propaganda. Anarchy can have order, just not an "imposed" order. Dr. Bylund also calls to attention that many of the images we may think of or even see when talking about anarchy are not true to anarchy. The symbol of an "A" with an "O" around it is the symbol for anarchy and he finds that many people who use this symbol want the chaos or disorder mentioned. However, the "O" actually stands for order and that liberty from the imposing forces is the mother, not the daughter of order.
Dr. Bylund breaks down some of the major players in anarchy, their philosophies and some modern day anarchists schools of thought. Along with flag colors, symbols and meanings. He makes the point that anarcharism is anti - Hobbesian. Anarchy is not meant to be a state of disorder and chaos, but voluntary cooperation. Much like churches and other religious organizations rely on like minded members to cooperate and provide for the mutual aid and benefit of the organization and its community. Anarchy was born in the 1800s under Pierre Joesph Proudhon, who was a member of french parliament. He developed what is known as mutualism and is still very influential today.
How Would it Work?
Dr. Bylund has an extensive history in anarchy, explains his reasoning behind this system in which he believes that it would truly free people. He gives a popular example of the vending machine theory, yet he has his doubts about the theory as an economist. Based on the nature of these types of societies, anarchism would thrive on smaller scales and that communities have a choice in how they function. Whether the society believes in property rights or not is up to the community and that people can leave and join communities as they see fit. He believes that all types of anarchism can co-exist beside each other in their own communities.
Dr. Bylund breaks it down furthers on the logistics of anarcho - capitalism and why it would work. He believes that a system of anarcho - capitalism built on "hard property" and a free market is the first step. He proposes opening up the justice system to enter the insurance market and paying for protection through premiums. If businesses have a problem, they don't go to war they go to arbitration. As for national defense, we would have no need for it - since there is no longer a "nation". If every house was armed and wanted to protect themselves we would have not need for a national government to take guns and assign military bases and plan our defenses. He also points out that a main rebuttal against forms of anarchy is the need for highways, however he gives the example of Sweden and how most of their roads are privately owned.
How Does One Institute Anarchism?
Lastly, Dr. Bylund discusses the strategies that may be used to institute anarchism. The first being violence and resistance, yet he argues many of those who use this strategy are proponents of chaos and do not want order. Then there is a transition theory, which builds the new system in the shell of the old. However, it is very hard to use the current system we have in the U.S. to get the current power holders to take away their own power. He proposes that one my build independence from the power/government/etc and building a horizontal mutual dependence. Countereconomics are also mentioned, which is one someone believes in true freedom from oppressive power, they go out of their way to not participate in anything related to the state. Lastly, the hermits approach - to leave the State and build your own society.
My Grim Outlook
Overall, I think anarchism could work on a small scale but only for a short period of time. I am not well versed in strategies or a Phd economist but I question as to how would we phase out larger corporations in the U.S. if we were to move to this system. If they stay, I feel like they would become the new "State" and plunder societies by having monopolies on resources. Many people are not equipped to provide for themselves manually (through agriculture/homesteading/etc). Getting rid of our current State would just open up the path for others to become the new state, whether that be large corporations or a small society that decides to conquer others.
Dr. Bylund does address the fact that humans don't kill because of the laws we have in place, but because of their character. Which is true, I believe killing is one of the gravest things one can do, however I do believe there are many people out their would exploit, pillage, or "plunder" the first chance they get if there were no consequences. (Don't worry, I am fully aware of how cynical I am.) I hope the majority of population would have upstanding morals and values but the minority of the population would not have a problem with doing whatever it takes to overpower the no State society before we have some sort of justice system(s) set into place. I would wonder how easy it is to find a police station for hire that could either be paid enough to do what I would ask or keep searching until I find a police station that values what I do.
I just can not follow how this society would not become some sort of tyrannical state in the future. I suppose one could leave, if they thought their society were headed in the wrong direction but it does mean that people were able to take advantage of the system. I am not saying that we have a perfect system or that capitalism or socialism or communism does not have their flaws. I just think this form of society places too much trust in neighbors and mutual aid. Everything always come at price and I do believe in helping others, there is just not enough people out there to ensure this system would work.
Works Cited
Dr. Per Bylund. "Anarchism & Anarcho - Capitalism: What Does It Mean to Have Rules Wihtout Rulers'?" March 23rd, 2023. Free Enterprise Society: Oklahoma State University. Stillwater, Oklahoma.