In Defense of Anarchism (with a New Preface) [Paperback]

Robert Paul Wolff (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0520215737 | ISBN-13: 978-0520215733 | Publication Date: September 28, 1998 | Edition: 1

Here with a new preface is Robert Paul Wolff's classic analysis of the foundations of the authority of the state and the problems of political authority and moral autonomy in a democracy.

Product Details

• Paperback: 135 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press; 1 edition (September 28, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520215737
• ISBN-13: 978-0520215733
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #265,801 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Knocking out Philosphical Cobwebs, December 17, 2002

By 

Brett (South Dakota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Defense of Anarchism (Paperback)

First, a disclaimer: this book is not about how some form of anarchism might operate. It is purely theoretical, arguing for "philosophical anarchism" based on the imperitive of not undermining personal autonomy. So don't expect it to defend anarchists in the Spanish Civil War or something. That's not what it is about.

But, the book is excellent. I am no anarchist, but the arguments set forth here are completely convincing. If we value autonomy--and almost everyone claims they do--then these are the necessary conclusions. Wolff's comments on majoritarianism vigorously ring the bell of indisputable truth. This is not what you learned in high school government class.

The book is quite short. The preface is a fun read, as Wolff talks about the how the book came into being, but once the first chapter starts, he is all business. But though it deals almost exclusively with philosophical ideas, it had no problem keeping my attention. A short 80 pages has given me a whole new understanding of the justifcation of government. Consider my philosophical cobwebs knocked out.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clearly Written Moral Defense, March 13, 2004

By 

Philip Sandifer (Gainesville, FL) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: In Defense of Anarchism (with a New Preface) (Paperback)

I'm puzzled by the people who claim that this book doesn't offer any defense of anarchism. Surely its main argument - that its the only system of government that can possibly be ethically justified - is defense enough. Indeed, since one assumes ethics are one's highest obligation, one would assume this is the best possible defense - that any alternative would be plain and simply wrong.

In any case, most of the other things people are saying about this book are spot-on. It's clearly-written, engaging, and short. The biggest sticking point for people will be the book's explicit Kantian bent. As a Kantian, I must simply say, "Get over it."

16 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Title misleads and there are better books!, September 17, 2002

By 

Kevin Currie-Knight "Education Grad Student" (Newark, Delaware) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: In Defense of Anarchism (with a New Preface) (Paperback)

This book, at 80 pages, had me really excited at the halfway point. HIs critiques of the existing systems of government- especially direct, representitive, and majoritarian democracy are deft and well formulated. I figured that as the author had presented his case against the state pretty well by page 40, he'd have a great affirmitive case for anarchism.

WRONG!! There was no case. Once he'd laid down his anti-government case, he simply repeated most of what he'd wrote one more time. Even the last sub-chapter 'Utopian Glimpses of a World Without States" didn't attempt anything. That in mind, the books title is not only misleading, it is a fabrication. AS there is no defences of anarchism here, it might best be called 'Critiques of the Idea of Government."

Well, the two stars I gave it were for amazing clarity in writing. This book, under a worse writer, could've easily been two hundred or more pages but Wolff keeps it short and energetic. Also, his critiques of the state (especially on voting procedure and inadequacies in district-representation) were great.
To Close, I must mention that there are many books similar to this one that are far superior to this one. For a great deffense of anarchism (favoring the market) read Randy Barnett's "Structure of Liberty." For a good defense of anarchism (favoring no market) read Proudhon's "What is Property" and for a book questioning the legitamacy of the state coming to a minarchist- libertarian- conclusion, the true classic is Robert Nozick's "Anarch, State and Utopia."