From each according to his faculties; to each according to his needs

From each according to his faculties; to each according to his needs

Mikhail Bakunin, a Russian revolutionary and anarchist thinker, was a staunch critic of the concept of "From each according to his faculties; to each according to his needs." This phrase, often associated with Karl Marx and his vision of a communist society, was seen by Bakunin as a dangerous and authoritarian idea that would lead to the centralization of power and the suppression of individual freedom.

Bakunin believed that the idea of distributing resources based on need would inevitably lead to a bureaucratic and oppressive state apparatus that would dictate how resources were allocated and who would receive them. He argued that this would create a new ruling class of bureaucrats who would control the means of production and distribution, leading to a new form of exploitation and inequality.

Bakunin also rejected the notion of individuals being required to contribute according to their abilities, as he believed that this would lead to the subjugation of the individual to the collective will. He argued that individuals should be free to pursue their own interests and desires, rather than being forced to conform to the dictates of a centralized authority.

Instead, Bakunin advocated for a decentralized and self-managed society based on voluntary cooperation and mutual aid. He believed that individuals should be free to associate with others as they saw fit, without interference from a coercive state. In this vision, resources would be shared based on voluntary agreements and mutual benefit, rather than being distributed according to a rigid formula based on need.

Bakunin's ideas have had a lasting impact on anarchist thought and continue to influence radical movements around the world. His critique of the concept of "From each according to his faculties; to each according to his needs" remains relevant today, as debates continue over the best way to create a more just and equitable society.