Pierre-Joseph Proudhon

Pierre-Joseph Proudhon's Beliefs

During the course of his studies, Proudhon developed several philosophies and ideas. Proudhon believed the only law that individuals should have to follow is the law they choose themselves; Proudhon calls it the moral law, which acts as the ultimate source of guidance for individuals. Proudhon believed all humans had been endowed with moral law.

The presence of this moral law amongst humans served to influence their actions to a greater degree than any legally stratified laws the states could create. The moral law for Proudhon was the belief that, as humans, we are naturally inclined to act in a way that is ethical and just. Proudhon argues that humans can rationally calculate the consequences of their actions if they are to act unjustly. Therefore the thought and possibility of these consequences prevent them from acting unethically. Therefore if humans abide by the moral law, they are not slaves to their immediate passion. Instead, they follow what is rational, logical, and reasonable.

Pierre-Joseph Proudhon's Anarchism

Proudhon was not just the first person to declare himself an anarchist, but he founded his own ideological branch of anarchism and libertarian socialism called mutualism. Mutualism is a distinct branch of anarchism and libertarian socialism that Proudhon created. It is a system of exchange in which individuals and/or groups can trade or bargain with each other without exploitation and without the aim of making an unjust profit. Within the anarchist ideology, Proudhon is neither an individualist nor a collectivist anarchist, as Proudhon’s embrace of mutualism acts as a synthesis between both individual and collectivist ideals. Let's look at what a society organised under the ideals of mutualism would look like according to Proudhon.

Mutualism

As an anarchist, Proudhon rejected the state and believed it could be abolished through non-violent action. Proudhon argued that establishing a mutualist reorganisation of the economy would eventually cause the state’s economic structure to become redundant. Proudhon envisioned that over time workers would ignore all traditional forms of state power and authority in favour of the development of mutualist organisations, which would then result in the state's redundancy and subsequent collapse.

Proudhon proposed mutualism as a way in which society should be structured.

For Proudhon, the tension between liberty and order was always at the core of his politics. He believed both private property ownership and collectivism had their faults and therefore sought to find a solution to these issues. For Proudhon, this solution was mutualism.

• The foundations of mutualism rely on the golden rule to treat others how you would want to be treated. Proudhon argued that under mutualism, instead of laws, individuals would make contracts with one another, upholding them via reciprocity and mutual respect between individuals.
• In a mutualist society, there would be a rejection of the state, which is a concept central to the anarchist ideology. Instead, society would be organised into a series of communes whereby workers who trade their products on the market would own the means of production. Workers would also have the ability to freely enter into contracts based on how mutually beneficial they were.
• According to Proudhon's mutualism vision, society would be organised based on associations, needs, and abilities. In other words, individuals would only take up roles that they could perform. These roles would only be established after consensus that they were necessary additions to society.
• Proudhon’s idea of mutualism vehemently rejected the idea of passive income from property ownership. Unlike collectivists and communists, Proudhon was not completely against private property ownership; rather, he believed it was acceptable only if actively used. Proudhon was against passive income raised by landlords on property they did not inhabit themselves or even income raised from tax and interest. For Proudhon, it was important to work for one's income.

Pierre-Joseph Proudhon's Books

Proudhon has written numerous works throughout his life including The System of Economical Contradictions (1847) and The General Idea of The Revolution in The Nineteenth Century (1851). Despite the existence of other works by Proudhon, none have been studied, referenced, or admired to the degree of his first text titled What is Property? Proudhon is famously revered for his declaration 'property is theft' which he wrote as a response to the question and title of his book.

In What is Property, Proudhon attacks the concept of private property and positions private property as a negative entity that allows one to extract rent, interests, and profits. For Proudhon, private property, by its very nature, is exploitative, divisive, and lies at the core of capitalism. In his work, Proudhon makes a clear differentiation between private property and possessions. In Proudhon's view, one has the right to possessions as well as to keep the fruits of one's labours because he believes it can serve as protection for the individual against the collective.

Pierre-Joseph Proudhon's Quotes