Noam Chomsky · Politics

Anarchism: Authority Must Justify Itself

Chomsky’s libertarian socialism (or anarcho-syndicalism): the claim that no structure of authority is legitimate simply because it exists - each one, from the state to the workplace, bears the burden of proving itself justified, and whatever cannot meet that burden should be dismantled.

What you'll be able to recall

You learned that Chomsky’s libertarian socialism rests on one principle - authority is not self-justifying; every structure of power must bear the burden of proof, and if it fails, it should be dismantled - and that this makes him oppose both state tyranny and the private tyranny of the workplace. Explain the le…

Leads to Mikhail Bakunin.

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