Where the state begins, individual liberty ceases, and vice versa

Where the state begins, individual liberty ceases, and vice versa

Mikhail Bakunin, a Russian revolutionary and anarchist thinker, is often credited with the quote, "Where the state begins, individual liberty ceases, and vice versa." This statement encapsulates Bakunin's belief in the inherent conflict between the state and individual freedom.

Bakunin was a staunch critic of the state, viewing it as a repressive institution that served the interests of the ruling class at the expense of the common people. He believed that the state's primary function was to maintain and perpetuate the existing social hierarchy, which he saw as inherently unjust and oppressive. In Bakunin's view, the state's power and authority were antithetical to the freedom and autonomy of the individual.

For Bakunin, individual liberty was paramount. He believed that true freedom could only be achieved through the abolition of the state and the establishment of a society based on voluntary cooperation and mutual aid. Bakunin envisioned a decentralized, non-hierarchical system in which individuals were free to govern themselves and make decisions collectively, without the need for a centralized authority.

In Bakunin's view, the state was a barrier to individual liberty because it imposed laws, regulations, and restrictions that limited people's ability to act according to their own desires and interests. The state's monopoly on violence and coercion also served to suppress dissent and maintain the status quo, further eroding individual freedom.

Bakunin's critique of the state was rooted in his belief that true freedom could only be achieved through the empowerment of the individual. He saw the state as a hindrance to this goal, as it concentrated power in the hands of a few at the expense of the many. By dismantling the state and creating a society based on voluntary association and cooperation, Bakunin believed that individuals could truly be free to pursue their own interests and live according to their own values.