What is propaganda by the deed, and which thinker advocated it?

Propaganda by the deed, advocated by Mikhail Bakunin, is the idea that direct action and violent acts against the state would inspire the masses and spark wider revolution.

Explain why Bakunin believed that even well-intentioned rulers would become oppressive.

Because all forms of power are inherently oppressive and corrupt those who wield them, regardless of their original intentions.

What was Bakunin's view of human nature and sociability?

Bakunin held a strong belief in human sociability, arguing that humans are naturally cooperative and social beings who do not require state authority to live harmoniously.

How did Kropotkin provide a scientific basis for mutual aid?

Kropotkin drew on evolutionary biology to demonstrate that cooperation rather than competition is the primary factor in species survival and human progress.

Edexcel A-Level Politics 9PL0

Democracy and Participation

Topic overview Current systems of representative and direct democracy A wider franchise and debates over suffrage Pressure groups and other influences Think tanks, lobbyists and corporations Rights in context

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AnarchismNon-core

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Anarchism

Bakunin, Kropotkin and Goldman

3 things to know
Component 2

Overview

Recall questions on Bakunin on the state and collectivisation, Kropotkin on mutual aid, and Goldman on why reform and political participation are futile.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

Why did Bakunin argue the state must be abolished?

Who and when

How did Emma Goldman describe the state, and on what grounds did she reject it?

Who and when

What did Bakunin advocate should replace private property?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What is propaganda by the deed, and which thinker advocated it?
Model answer
Propaganda by the deed, advocated by Mikhail Bakunin, is the idea that direct action and violent acts against the state would inspire the masses and spark wider revolution.
2
Why did Bakunin argue the state must be abolished?
Model answer
Bakunin argued all forms of power are inherently oppressive and corrupt those who wield them, making state abolition necessary.
3
Explain why Bakunin believed that even well-intentioned rulers would become oppressive.
Model answer
Because all forms of power are inherently oppressive and corrupt those who wield them, regardless of their original intentions.
4
What was Bakunin's view of human nature and sociability?
Model answer
Bakunin held a strong belief in human sociability, arguing that humans are naturally cooperative and social beings who do not require state authority to live harmoniously.
5
What did Bakunin advocate should replace private property?
Model answer
Bakunin advocated abolishing private property and replacing it with collectivisation, where the means of production would be owned collectively by workers.
6
How did Kropotkin provide a scientific basis for mutual aid?
Model answer
Kropotkin drew on evolutionary biology to demonstrate that cooperation rather than competition is the primary factor in species survival and human progress.

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