The Psychology of Voluntarism: Michael Malice on Anarchism as a Relationship

presents a vision of

Anarchism

that transcends the chaotic imagery often associated with the term. Rather than viewing it as a specific geographical location or a chaotic void, he defines it as a fundamental relationship based on voluntary association. This perspective shifts the focus from political systems to the micro-interactions that define our daily lives. Most human interactions are already inherently anarchist; we resolve disputes through social norms and mutual agreement without immediate recourse to state intervention.

The Expensive Reality of Violence

A central tenet of this philosophy is the pragmatic rejection of violence. While critics often suggest that a lack of state control would lead to perpetual conflict, Malice argues that the norm between human beings is peace. This isn't necessarily due to innate human goodness, but because violence is prohibitively expensive. Escalation carries asymmetrical risks that naturally encourage bystanders to quash conflict. The state, conversely, often operates as a mechanism that externalizes these costs, facilitating large-scale aggression through institutionalized war.

Challenging the Monopoly on Security

The most radical shift in this worldview involves the privatization of services typically reserved for the state. Using the analogy of cellular networks, Malice suggests that security and dispute resolution could function as private industries. In this model, firms would have a profit incentive to ensure seamless interaction for consumers, much like how different phone companies facilitate communication across platforms. Unlike governments, which often generate revenue by creating or sustaining stress and problems, private entities must satisfy the user to survive.

The Shadow of Institutional Collusion

Addressing the historical roots of the movement, Malice notes that early thinkers like

and

Peter Kropotkin

were primarily concerned with the collusion between big business and government. This "corporatism" creates barriers to entry for small businesses, effectively protecting established giants from competition. By removing the state's power to enforce monopolies, a truly free market would theoretically allow for a more diverse and resilient economic landscape.

Moving Beyond the Value of Despair

When individuals lose faith in the state, they often fall into a "valley of despair" or cynicism. Malice views this disillusionment as a necessary, albeit painful, rite of passage. True personal growth requires confronting one's own destiny rather than relying on the false security of state-mandated obedience. The goal is to move past the "teenage nonsense" of nihilism and step into an adult responsibility where one finds their own bliss through intentional, self-directed choices.