Peter Kropotkin (1842-1921)

Kropotkin was born into the Russian aristocracy and became a well-respected physical geographer. He was a key thinker in social or communist anarchism. In his 1902 work, Mutual Aid, Kropotkin aimed to give a scientific foundation to this ideology. He argued against social Darwinism, claiming that mutual aid promotes survival and human progress better than competition. His version of anarchism focused on removing barriers to mutual aid, especially the capitalist system, and government, along with any authoritarian structures. Kropotkin believed that creating equal relationships through new institutions and behaviors was a crucial part of the revolution. His strong interest in geography and biology led many to see him as an early advocate for environmental anarchism. Other notable works by Kropotkin include The Conquest of Bread, published in 1892, and Fields, Factories and Workshops from 1897.

In the 1870s, he adopted anarchism after visiting the Jura Federation in Switzerland. There, he witnessed a community of watchmakers who shared their resources and profits through cooperative living.

Kropotkin became interested in social Darwinism, a theory that gained popularity in the 1860s and 1870s. This idea suggested that similar to animals, humans compete for limited resources. It claimed that only those who adapt can thrive under capitalism, leading to natural inequality. Kropotkin disputed this notion, arguing that cooperation is more common in the animal kingdom. He pointed out that many animals live in social groups and help each other. In his 1902 work, Mutual Aid: A Factor of Evolution, he stated that cooperation reflects humanity's true nature.

Kropotkin believed there could be harmony between a strong community and individual freedom. He envisioned a society where everyone shared a common sense of justice, making strict laws unnecessary. As he grew more radical, he became involved in revolutionary movements.

Kropotkin argues that mutual aid is part of human nature. He believes that people in society create a natural sense of justice based on fair treatment and kindness. He criticizes Stirner’s idea of egoism as a negative pursuit of self-interest. Kropotkin's focus on human cooperation and moral instincts leads him to assert that aggression is not a fundamental trait of humans. He emphasizes that people have basic needs like food and shelter, but also have creative desires that can only be fulfilled through equal sharing of resources. This equality allows everyone the time to develop fully as individuals.

According to Kropotkin, the state and capitalism distort our natural tendencies to be social and cooperative. He views the state as a force that imposes the will of a few on the many. Capitalism and private property, based on exploitation and inequality, do not reflect the true nature of community and shared production.

Kropotkin, like many anarchists, sees religion as another form of control that limits people. He believes that only a spontaneous, mass uprising can dismantle the state, capitalism, property, and religion. This revolution would restore mutual aid and reconnect people with their true nature. Anarchist thinkers should support revolutionary ideas that appeal to the masses, but any leadership from a central authority will hinder progress. This belief contributed to Kropotkin’s disapproval of the Bolshevik revolution in 1917 Russia.

Kropotkin’s version of anarcho-communism called for the formation of natural communities. He argued that if people could choose their communities freely, they wouldn't face any coercion. He envisioned a future where these communities would thrive and be self-sufficient. He believed that without scarcity, there would be no competition, and without competition, there would be no inequality. He detailed his ideas in his 1898 book, Fields, Factories and Workshops.

When the revolution erupted in Russia in 1917, Kropotkin returned after years away, seeing it as a chance to implement some of his ideas. Although he preferred peaceful, organic communities, he was still a revolutionary who supported the idea of toppling the state, even by force if needed. However, when the Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, took control, Kropotkin felt let down. He worried that a new state would emerge to replace the old one. He had hoped that a grassroots uprising would completely eliminate the state and allow for the establishment of the small communities he advocated for. By the time of his death in 1921, Kropotkin was deeply dissatisfied with what he observed in Russia under the Communist Party. His vision of communism was far different from that of Lenin and the Bolsheviks.

 He traveled widely in Switzerland, France, and England, all while being monitored by the Russian secret police.