Anarchism and Utilitarianism: Philosophy Forums

Anarchism and Utilitarianism
Can anarchism be considered a utilitarian position?

Anarchism and Utilitarianism

bajek
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Posted 07/03/09 - 05:30 PM: Subject: Anarchism and Utilitarianism	#1
I mean here to invite some broad reflections on the relationship between the case made for an anarchist society (as for example by Chomsky) and the line taken by utilitarian (or at least consequentialist) ethics. Principally, is there a way of arguing for anarchism on purely consequentialist grounds? If not, why? If so, how? Does an argument for anarchism require premises that are not inclued in a consequentialist outlook? Which ones? (By 'anarchism' I mean to refer to the idea that society should not be governed by any kind of elite power structure, but that the influence of each participant should be held to be of equal value. I am not interested in this thread in discussing the viability of this political outlook in practical terms, merely in the theoretical propositions surrounding its relationship to consequentialist ethics.) Thanks. The floor is yours.

Harmonsiegel
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Posted 07/07/09 - 08:38 PM:	#2
I think that the easiest way to make the utilitarian case for anarchism is to show how the creation/intervention of government in society is counterproductive to every value sought to be created through the use of government. For example, a utilitarian anarchist could argue that if we are seeking equality as our most privileged value, that the intervention of government necessarily and a priori leads to the creation of privileged class; if certain people, government employees, are capable of using force with impunity, then they necessarily are not equal, in a fundamental way, to those who are incapable of using legitimate force. A utilitarian ethical system seeks to maximize the utility of values. If anarchists can show that government necessarily impedes that utility, they've made a successful utilitarian defense of anarchism.

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