anarchomutualist

Anarcho-mutualism is a branch of anarchism that advocates for a stateless society where individuals engage in voluntary cooperation and mutual exchange to meet their needs. It emphasizes the abolition of all forms of hierarchy and coercion, including the state and capitalist enterprises. Mutualists believe that individuals should have free access to the means of production and that the fruits of labor should belong to the laborers themselves.

Key to anarcho-mutualism is the concept of mutual exchange, often facilitated through free markets or cooperative associations. This exchange is intended to be equitable, where individuals receive the full value of their labor. Unlike other forms of market anarchism, mutualism is often critical of usury and absentee ownership, advocating for forms of possession based on occupancy and use. Property rights are generally understood as conditional on actual use and not on legal title alone.

Mutualists envision a society organized through a network of voluntary associations, cooperatives, and mutual credit banks. These institutions would provide services and facilitate trade without the need for a centralized state or profit-driven corporations. The emphasis is on individual liberty, social solidarity, and the creation of a just and equitable economic system based on voluntary agreements and mutual aid. It draws inspiration from thinkers like Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, who is often considered the father of mutualism.