Anarchism vs Mutualism
Anarchism is a political philosophy that rejects the state and other forms of coercive hierarchy and favors voluntary cooperation and self-governing communities.
- The state is a coercive institution and should be abolished or made unnecessary.
- Authority must justify itself, and unjustified hierarchies should be removed.
- People can organize society through free agreement and voluntary association.
Mutualism is an anarchist economic theory, rooted in Proudhon, that favors free markets of cooperatives and self-employed workers, mutual credit and ownership based on use.
- People should own what they personally use and work, such as their home, tools or farm.
- Income from rent, interest and profit without labor is a form of exploitation.
- Free exchange between producers should be based on the labor cost of goods.
- Anarchism: petals and stars
- Mutualism: dashed outline
★ Where they differ most
- Markets90 points apart
Anarchism: Planned (mild). Mutualism: Free (moderate).
- Ownership70 points apart
Anarchism: Public (moderate). Mutualism: Private (mild).
- Morality70 points apart
Anarchism: Progressive (strong). Mutualism: Balanced.
- Culture40 points apart
Anarchism: Multicultural (strong). Mutualism: Multicultural (mild).
★ Where they are closest
- Authority · 5 apart
- Trade · 10 apart
- Technology · 10 apart
Axis by axis
Mutualism
Economy
Equality / Markets- OwnershipModerate: Public75%25%PublicPrivate
- MarketsMild: Planned65%35%PlannedFree
- WelfareModerate: Shared70%30%SharedSelf-reliant
State and liberty
Liberty / Authority- AuthorityStrong: Democratic100%0%DemocraticStrong leader
- SecurityStrong: Liberty98%2%LibertyOrder
- StructureStrong: Local100%0%LocalCentral
Society
Progress / Tradition- MoralityStrong: Progressive85%15%ProgressiveTraditional
- ReligionStrong: Secular90%10%SecularReligious
- TechnologyMild: Embrace55%45%EmbraceCaution
- CultureStrong: Multicultural85%15%MulticulturalNational identity
World
Global / Nation- TradeMild: Global65%35%GlobalProtected
- Foreign policyStrong: Cooperation90%10%CooperationStrength
★ 12 Axes Political Test ★
How close are you to Anarchism or Mutualism?
Answer plain statements on 12 axes and see your match with Anarchism or Mutualism and every other profile on the site, axis by axis.
FAQ
Anarchism vs Mutualism
What is the difference between Anarchism and Mutualism?
Anarchism is a political philosophy that rejects the state and other forms of coercive hierarchy and favors voluntary cooperation and self-governing communities. Mutualism is an anarchist economic theory, rooted in Proudhon, that favors free markets of cooperatives and self-employed workers, mutual credit and ownership based on use. On the 12 axes they differ most on markets, ownership, morality.
What do Anarchism and Mutualism have in common?
Their positions are closest on authority, trade, technology. Overall their profiles are a 78% match on the 12 axes used by the 12 Axes Political Test.
Am I closer to Anarchism or Mutualism?
Take the 12 Axes Political Test. Your result shows your match with both, and with every other ideology on the site, axis by axis.