Mutualism as a Leftist philosophy

[proudhon10]

Mutualism is an anarchistic school of thought created by Pierre-Joseph Proudhon. One of its main idea is that every person, in an ideal world, would own a means of production either collectively or individually. It also supports private property while supporting businesses turning into collective. It seems to be like a mix of individualistic anarchism (which is a terrible philosophy i think) and social anarchism. Can it count as a leftist strain of thought, along with other anarchist groups like anarcho-communism and collectivist anarchism? I personally think it does, but barely. I believe this because Proudhon supported labor-owned cooperative firms and associations and considered himself opposed to capitalism. He urged "workers to form themselves into democratic societies, with equal conditions for all members, on pain of a relapse into feudalism." This would result in "Capitalistic and proprietary exploitation, stopped everywhere, the wage system abolished, equal and just exchange guaranteed." Workers would no longer sell their labour to a capitalist but rather work for themselves in co-operatives.

So, do you consider him a leftist or not?

[Mike Morin]

I question the importance and accuracy of the the left/right dichotomy. It is nothing more than divisional semantics. After all, almost all of us have nearly perfectly symmetrical bodies, and all geographical spaces, much more often than not, allow us and even require us to move in all directions. Team sports have symmetrical field alignments, and if we were standing face to face your left would be my right.

The English language is biased in that the word right also means correct and that the word sinister means pertaining to the left but it also means evil. On the other hand, in Christian mythology, when Jesus died and arose to heaven, he went to sit at the right hand of the Father, thus implying that the higher power, the more knowledgeable and wise, sits to the left.

Thank you for giving a brief overview concerning Proudhons thought and works. I tried reading some of his works a few years ago, but was unsuccessful at gleaning much because of the nature of the writing, being translations, and being from a much earlier period. (The latter being a large part, perhaps, of why I don't enjoy reading Shakespeare).

Mutualism was not "created" by Proudhon, but he did refine the concept.

It would be interesting to know the exceptions that Marx took to Proudhon and why, and vice-versa (if such is the case), but I fear that for the same reasons that I did not understand Proudhon's writings, I would not understand Marx's "Treatise on the Works of Proudhon". Probably, at least part of the reason for the disagreement was that Marx advocated State Communism.

Some have pointed out that there are some similarities (and although I hate labels) between "Right Wing Libertarians" and "Left Wing Anarchists". Both detest the absurdity and abuses of the State(s), for example.

To get to consensus among the anti-statists, we must understand that some Libertarians are small property-holders and some are very large property-holders. I believe the former could be brought into the fold if they understood and accepted and we understood and accepted the inclusion of such in a Socialist economy (as Proudhon advocated).

The large property holders will resist, obfuscate, divide and conquer, etc. The "left wing" Capitalists that favors big government will do the same.

[proudhon10]

I agree. Mutualism is not a very straightforward ideology compared to a lot of what Marx wrote and other communists. Proudhon had very complex views on society and property and therefore is much harder to to grasp compared to Marx. The more i read about him, the more i like his personal philosophy.

[Vincent P.]

I really have to find some Proudhon books. They're friggin' hard to find in paper edition.

[autotrophic]

I think it's definitely a 'leftist' philosophy. It's against private property (in the exploitive sense, which all socialists oppose) and opposed to all forms of domination. Benjamin Tucker also was a interesting contributer to mutualism, and you can read a very interesting article on how he developed his ideas at http://www.wendymcelroy.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.167

Also, I don't really like the term 'individualist anarchism' because anarchism is an individualist philosophy. I've even heard anarchism being known as 'individualist socialism' which I think is correct.

[Invincible Summer]

If I understand it correctly, I think mutualism allows for people who don't wish to be part of a collective; if Bill wants to live in Redville but doesn't like the idea of making his shoe repair business collectivized, he can still live in Redville with his private property, but of course he can't be self-sufficient. Therefore, he can own his own property but must still be involved in a socialist economy (in whatever form it may be in) and practice mutual aid with everyone else.

The fact that it accounts for people who don't want to collectivize makes it seem more open as opposed to forcing people to collectivize

[Os Cangaceiros]

It seems to be like a mix of individualistic anarchism (which is a terrible philosophy i think)

All individualist anarchism really is is a combination of the basic economic concepts and theories of Proudhon and the philosophy of Max Stirner.

I actually have a bit more respect for Stirner than I do Proudhon. At least Stirner was fairly consistent in what he believed; Proudhon had a number of great quotes about the value of anarchism and freedom, but he also held a number of truly awful beliefs, as well.

[proudhon10]

Stirner seems too cynical to me

[Mike Morin]

I have formed a new RevLeft Discussion Group (Category: Organization), "Peoples' Equity Union". For all those who have mutualist, anarchist, socialist and communist tendencies but would rather move forward with rational reform rather than violent revolution, please consider joining this group in our effort to develop a strong organizational existence for a progressive, cooperative communitarian philosophy and practice.