Analytical Anarchism: Workshop & Edited Volume CFA

Towards an Analytical Anarchism 

Workshop & Edited Volume CFA 

We invite the submission of abstracts for a 2-day workshop intended for philosophers interested in applying the methods of analytic philosophy to classical anarchism. This event seeks to compile the resulting papers into an edited volume, with the goal of publishing it and encouraging the development of a new research program in political theory. Abstracts should be between 750 and 1000 words. The relevant themes include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• What might a research program in analytical anarchism look like? How can the methods of analytic philosophy clarify discussions about the theory and practice of classical anarchism? What are the criticisms of an analytic approach to anarchism?  
• Classical anarchism critiques domination, authority, hierarchy, and exploitation. How do anarchists understand these concepts? How are they interrelated? Is the anarchist critique sound? 
• Can classical anarchism be interpreted as rooted in a substantive political view concerning the good life and just society? If so, how can we understand that view, and is it plausible? 
• Classical anarchists often emphasize the ideal of equality. Is this because equality is inherently good, or because the causes of inequality are inherently bad, unjustified, or ineffective? 
• What does anarchist organization look like? To what extent is classical anarchism compatible with rules and democratic decision-making processes? 
• Can existing theories from analytic political philosophy, such as Rawls' theory of justice, be interpreted in such a way that it supports classical anarchism? 
• How should we understand the relationship between different strands of classical anarchism, and how do they relate to other radical political traditions, such as Marxism? What distinguishes anarchist critiques of hierarchy from Marxist critiques of capitalism? 

Please be aware that the present invitation is for contributions to that broad tradition of classical anarchism that forms part of the socialist political heritage. For more on this, see section 1 below. For more on the relevant dates, locations, and submission details, see section 2 below.  

1. Background  

Analytic philosophy is a tradition in Western philosophy emphasizing clarity of expression and the analysis of concepts. Emerging over 120 years ago and shaped by the likes of Gottlob Frege, Bertrand Russell, and G. E. Moore, it focuses on the analysis of language and meaning, often employing logic and rigorous argumentation. Generally speaking, analytic philosophy strives to deal with philosophical problems by dissecting them into smaller, more manageable issues, often while trying to avoid the more speculative issues of metaphysics that seem invited by those problems. This approach has influenced a wide range of subfields, from ethics, epistemology, and political theory, aiming to make philosophical discourse in these fields precise, accessible, and scientifically oriented.  

Classical anarchism is a political tradition and movement advocating for a stateless society, where social organization is achieved through voluntary cooperation and mutual aid rather than hierarchical authority. Originating over 150 years ago at the hands of figures like Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, Mikhail Bakunin, and Pjotr Kropotkin, classical anarchism criticizes the coercive nature of state power and the economic system of capitalism, proposing instead a decentralized society with collective ownership of the means of production. It envisions a radical transformation of social structures, emphasizing equality, individual freedom, and the abolition of all forms of domination and exploitation.  

There are few attempts to subject classical anarchism to the methods of analytic philosophy, with the aim of rendering the tradition more precise and accessible. Such an endeavour would entail a rigorous and systematic examination of its principles, addressing ambiguities, and fortifying its arguments. This could help us understand classical anarchism better, distinguish it more carefully from competing views in the political landscape, and clarify its ideas surrounding hierarchy, authority, domination, and exploitation. This program, termed “analytical anarchism,” is particularly enticing given the emergence of analytic variants of competing schools of socialist thought, most notably G. A. Cohen's Analytical Marxism.  

The program should interest even those who tend to dismiss classical anarchism. With its fundamental opposition to the state, this tradition presents a challenge that defenders of government should find intellectually invaluable. By rigorously questioning the foundations of state authority and the legitimacy of centralized power, classical anarchism compels proponents of the state to articulate and defend their positions with greater clarity and precision. In this way, subjecting the idea of the state to the strongest possible critique—such as that posed by classical anarchism—not only tests its validity but also strengthens the philosophical foundations of any serious argument for its existence.

2. Practical Information  

We are currently considering what publishing house to approach with the edited volume. Prospective speakers should not apply to the workshop unless they are also interested in being included within it. Abstracts should be submitted to [email protected] before March 31st 2025 (please include the word “Submission” in the subject line of your email).  

The workshop takes place on September 28th-29th at Lund University in Sweden. More precisely, it is housed by the Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology, LUX in room 337. All registered speakers will be provided lunches and dinners during both workshop days. We may have room to compensate some for travel and housing costs, but we cannot guarantee this, so must encourage participants to find independent funding for their stay. However, there will be no registration fee for the workshop, meaning that attendance and participation will be gratis.  

We recommend that flights be taken to Copenhagen Airport, which is a short train ride away from Lund Central. For more travel advice, please contact us via the email address above. The organisers are Andrés G. Garcia & Elias Hult.