Crypto-anarchism is a political ideology that advocates the use of cryptography and other technologies to protect individual privacy, freedom, and autonomy from state interference. Crypto-anarchists believe that by encrypting their communications and transactions, we can create a decentralized and voluntary society that is immune to censorship, surveillance, and taxation. The term crypto-anarchism was coined by Timothy C. May in his 1988 "Crypto Anarchist Manifesto", where he declared: "Crypto Anarchy is the cyberspatial realization of anarchism, transcending national boundaries and freeing individuals to make the economic arrangements they wish, consensually." May was one of the founders of the cypherpunk movement, a group of activists and hackers who promoted the use of cryptography and digital currencies to challenge the authority of governments and corporations. The cypherpunks were influenced by libertarian and anarchist thinkers such as Murray Rothbard, David
Agorism is a political philosophy that advocates for a society based on voluntary interactions and free markets, without the presence of, or interference from the state. Counter-economics is the practice of engaging in economic activities that are outside the control or regulation of the state, such as black markets, grey markets, bartering, cryptocurrencies, entrepreneurship, etc. The term "counter-economics" was coined by Samuel Edward Konkin III, the founder of agorism, in his book The New Libertarian Manifesto.
In this blog post, I will explain the main ideas and principles of agorism and counter-economics, and how they can be applied in our daily lives. I will also discuss some of the benefits and challenges of living as an agorist in the modern world.
Agorism is based on the concept of the agora, which was the public marketplace in ancient Greece where people could exchange goods and services freely and peacefully. Agorists believe that the agora is the natural and spontaneous order of society, and that it can provide for all the needs and wants of individuals without coercion or violence. Agorists reject the legitimacy and authority of the state, which we see as a parasitic and oppressive institution that violates the rights and freedoms of individuals. Agorists also reject political activism and voting as ineffective and immoral ways of achieving social change. Instead, we advocate for direct action and peaceful resistance through counter-economics.
Counter-economics is the means by which agorists seek to create a free society. By participating in counter-economic activities, agorists undermine the power and revenue of the state, while also creating alternative networks and communities that are based on mutual aid and voluntary cooperation. Counter-economics can take many forms, such as:
-Buying and selling goods and services that are illegal or unregulated by the state, such as drugs, weapons, gambling, prostitution, etc.
- Using alternative currencies or payment systems that are not controlled by the state or central banks, such as cryptocurrencies, gold, silver, etc.
- Producing and consuming goods and services that are self-sufficient or decentralized, such as home gardening, solar panels, 3D printing, etc.
- Avoiding taxes, regulations, licenses, permits, fees, fines, etc. that are imposed by the state on economic activities.
- Supporting or joining organizations that are independent or opposed to the state, such as the Mises/Abbeville Institute, black market networks, hacker groups, etc.
Counter-economics can be classified into two categories: black markets and grey markets. Black markets are those activities that are explicitly prohibited by the state and carry a high risk of punishment. Grey markets are those activities that are not illegal but are regulated or taxed by the state. Many agorists prefer to operate in grey markets rather than black markets because they find it inherently less risky. However, it’s important to remember that black markets are the only truly free markets which are devoid of aggression and fraud against others.
Some of the benefits of agorism and counter-economics are:
- They allow individuals to exercise their freedom and autonomy over their own lives and property.
- They provide individuals with more choices and opportunities in satisfying their needs and preferences.
- They foster innovation and entrepreneurship by creating a competitive and dynamic market environment.
- They reduce the waste and inefficiency caused by state intervention and bureaucracy.
- They promote social harmony and cooperation by eliminating the conflicts and violence generated by state coercion.
- They expose individuals to legal risks and penalties from the state authorities.
- They require individuals to be more vigilant and cautious in protecting their privacy and security from state surveillance and enforcement.
- They demand individuals to be more responsible and self-reliant in managing their own affairs and resources.
- They face social stigma and opposition from mainstream society that is conditioned to accept and support the status quo.
For a more complete introduction to the philosophy of agorism, check out my book, Anti-Politics.
@SallyMayweather, will you allow me to translate this in Dutch and put on my website, with links to you, the original article and your book anti-politics?
ReplyDeleteyes, of course!
DeleteAwesome! Cheers!
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