Hugh Small

The Future of Anarchism Hugh Small

Anarchism is the philosophy of government without coercive authority. Over the centuries, government has evolved from autocratic authoritarian rule to hierarchical electoral democracy. The author explains why the transition to anarchist cooperation will be an automatic continuation of this evolution. Recent discoveries in science, history, and technology are enabling the transition to anarchist society. Scientists have discovered that natural selection made humans super-cooperative. Historians have established that coercive government only came into existence when early climate change made conquest and subjugation possible. Technologists have developed communication systems that will allow people to elect their representatives cooperatively, using algorithms that prevent the hierarchical accumulation of power. All of these discoveries are subversive of the existing order and came about because of the gradual removal of restrictions on freedom of speech and thought. Today's electoral democracy is now so ineffective that it makes the world's despots look better by comparison. It's time to show the world what real democracy will do. The author, a technologist and historian, has written and broadcast about the early steps to democracy in Britain.