Agorism
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Agorism is the practice of counter-economics and the ideas associated with that practice. Agorist ideas assert that Libertarian philosophy occurs in practice, in the real world, as Counter-Economics. It was first proposed by libertarian philosopher Samuel Edward Konkin III in 1975.[1]
Although very similar to anarcho-capitalism, agorism is explicitly opposed to political elections and parliamentary strategies. Some agorists oppose intellectual property; some allow for certain forms of intellectual property.
Many anarcho-capitalists and voluntaryists are practicing agorists. There is no definitive policy statement from any authoritative leader of agorism because agorism is decentralized and non-hierarchical by definition.
Agorism (based on the principle of counter-economics) promotes withdrawing from the state and using counter-economic activities to minimize what a person contributes to the state in the form of taxes, license fees, and so forth.
Contents
Etymology
The term was coined by Konkin, and comes from the Classical Greek word Template:Polytonic (agora) referring to an open place for assembly and market in πόλις (polis, ancient Greek city-states).[2]
History
Konkin's treatise New Libertarian Manifesto was published in 1980.[1] Previously, the philosophy had been presented in J. Neil Schulman's science fiction novel Alongside Night in 1979. Ayn Rand's example, presenting her ideas in the form of a work of fiction in Atlas Shrugged, had inspired Schulman to do likewise. Konkin's afterword to the novel, "How Far Alongside Night?", credited Schulman with integrating the "science of counter-economics" with Konkin's basic economic philosophy.[3]
Criticisms
Agorists' opposition to voting differs from the views of Murray Rothbard, who defended the act of voting.[4] Rothbard openly denounced Konkin's agorism:[5]
“Konkin’s entire theory speaks only to the interests and concerns of the marginal classes who are self-employed. The great bulk of the people are full-time wage workers; they are people with steady jobs. Konkinism has nothing whatsoever to say to these people. To adopt Konkin’s strategy, then, would on this ground alone, serve up a dead end for the libertarian movement. We cannot win if there is no possibility of speaking to the concerns of the great bulk of wage earners in this and other countries.”
Konkin responded to Rothbard's criticism.[6]
Agorist Organizations
Bibliography
Interview With Samuel Edward Konkin III
The Last, Whole Introduction to Agorism (PDF)
Agorist Fiction
Alongside Night The classic novel of agorist revolution.
A Lodging of Wayfaring Men On Kindle
The Walton Street Tycoons (juvenile/young adult novel)
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Konkin, Samuel Edward. New Libertarian Manifesto
- ↑ Gordon, David (2011-04-01) Sam Konkin and Libertarian Theory, LewRockwell.com
- ↑ Afterword by Samuel Edward Konkin in Alongside Night. Pulpless.Com, 1999. p. 271–290. ISBN 1-58445-120-3, ISBN 978-1-58445-120-4
- ↑ Rothbard, Murray N. The State versus Liberty.
- ↑ Rothbard, Murray. "Konkin on Libertarian Strategy". http://www.anthonyflood.com/rothbardkonkin.htm.
- ↑ http://www.anthonyflood.com/konkinreplytorothbard.htm
