Answer to Question #161640 in Political Science for Emilia Rodas

Question

what explains the development of anarchism and socialism as ideologies opposing the capitalist liberal democratic state? How these ideologies similar? How are they different? In your view, how does the production and distribution of wealth factor into political unrest?

Answer 1

Anarchism holds the belief that political power in a state is unnecessary and evil because it inhibits the principles of equality and freedom. Socialism, on the other hand, holds that there should be cooperation among human beings other than competition. As such, anarchism and socialism are against capitalism because they both oppose competition. They are similar because they both encourage equality and the freedom of human beings to interact and work in unity other than in competition. However, the two ideologies are different in the sense that anarchy is against political authority whereas socialism does not.

In my view, distribution and production of wealth are important factors that cause political unrest. This is because politicians and the other citizens are always in constant competition over the limited resources. Whereas politicians fight over the control of factors of production and the limited resources, citizens are kept out of sight and they are left to work for the few people who control production and distribution.