Anarchy Works, Chapter 01, Human Nature

Peter Kropotkin's Mutual Aid explores the role of cooperation in evolution and society, challenging the prevailing notion of a solely competitive struggle for survival. Kropotkin argues that mutual aid, or cooperation, is a fundamental aspect of life, evident across various species and human societies. He uses numerous examples from natural history and human societies to illustrate how cooperation enhances survival and adaptation. The book's central thesis is that cooperation is not merely a secondary phenomenon but a primary driving force in evolution and social development. Kropotkin's work has had a lasting impact on anarchist thought and continues to inspire contemporary discussions on cooperation, social organization, and the potential for a more just and equitable society.

In 'Society Against the State', Pierre Clastres challenges conventional views on the state and power by examining societies that actively prevent the rise of despotic authority. He argues that economic expropriation and political coercion are inconsistent with tribal societies, using examples from South American Indian groups to illustrate his thesis. Clastres' work refutes the idea that the state is the inevitable destiny of all societies, instead highlighting mechanisms that maintain autonomy and equality.

In this book, Colin M. Turnbull describes his experiences living with the BaMbuti Pygmies in the Ituri Forest during the 1950s. The narrative explores the complex relationship between the Pygmies and African village farmers, highlighting the mutual benefits and the Pygmies' independence despite the villagers' beliefs of ownership. Turnbull delves into various aspects of Pygmy culture, including their traditional songs and music, kinship, law, economics, religion, and their deep identification with the forest. The book portrays a unique people living in harmony with nature, contrasting with the fears and practices of the villagers. Turnbull's account touches on sustainability, communal justice, and the Pygmies' reverence for the forest, which they consider their mother, father, and God.

In 'Domination and the Arts of Resistance', James C. Scott explores the public and hidden transcripts of power interactions between dominant and subordinate groups. He argues that while the powerful maintain a public transcript to assert their dominance, the powerless create a hidden transcript to critique and resist this power. Scott examines various forms of resistance, including folk tales, jokes, and public performances, highlighting the strategic agency of subordinate groups.