Everyday Anarchism 158. Tolkien's Romantic Anarchy -- Meredith Veldman
Jun 11, 2025
Meredith Veldman, an author specializing in the ties between romanticism, fantasy literature, and political thought, dives deep into Tolkien's romantic anarchism. She discusses the underlying protest in The Lord of the Rings and how romanticism appeals to both anarchists and fascists. The conversation touches on the bureaucratic struggles in academia, the intersections of Tolkien’s views with critiques of industrialization, and the philosophical influences of figures like Coleridge and Ruskin on his works. They also explore the notion of a modernized Middle Ages versus technocratic society.
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Oxford as Conservative Anarchist Model
- Oxford University embodies a conservative anarchist ideal where faculty govern themselves without typical corporate hierarchy.
- This guild-like structure aligns with Tolkien’s and Kropotkin’s vision of anarchy.
Avoid Over-Assessment in Education
- Recognize some problems like education are divergent, lacking a single scientific solution.
- Avoid overassessment and accept persistent disagreement in complex human domains.
Romanticism as Quest for Reintegration
- Romanticism is a worldview seeking reintegration of humans with nature, spirituality, community, and labor.
- It arises as protest against Enlightenment empiricism and Industrial Revolution's dehumanization.
