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In a word, we reject all legislation, all authority, and all privileged, licensed, official, and legal influence, even though arising from universal suffrage, convinced that it can turn only to the advantage of a dominant minority of exploiters against the interest of the immense majority in subjection to them. This is the sense in which we are really Anarchists.

Mikhail Bakunin#26

FreedomAuthorityPowerAnarchismDemocracyLegislation

About this quote

What does it mean?
Bakunin defines anarchists as those who reject all forms of authority including laws and governments even if democratically chosen. He believes these structures serve exploiters not the majority.
In plain terms
True anarchists reject all laws and government even if they are voted on.
What can you take from it?
Reject all authority including democratic ones.

Where it applies

  • political manifesto
  • activist speech
  • revolutionary theory

Putting it to work

  • direct action
  • mutual aid
  • anti authoritarian organizing

Questions to consider

  • Can any authority be legitimate?
  • How do you organize without leaders?

Another view

It ignores how laws can protect the vulnerable.

More from Mikhail Bakunin

  1. A person is strong only when he stands upon his own truth, when he speaks and acts from his deepest convictions. Then, whatever the situation he may be in, he …

    Permalink to quote #25
  2. The State is the organized authority, domination, and power of the possessing classes over the masses the most flagrant, the most cynical, and the most complet…

    Permalink to quote #27
  3. All religions are cruel, all founded on blood; for all rest principally on the idea of sacrifice-that is, on the perpetual immolation of humanity to the insati…

    Permalink to quote #24

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