God and the State is a book written by the Russian anarchist philosopher and revolutionary, Mikhail Bakunin. Originally published in 1882, the book is a collection of essays and letters that express Bakunin's views on the relationship between religion, politics, and individual freedom.In the book, Bakunin argues that the concept of God is incompatible with individual freedom and that organized religion is a tool used by the ruling classes to control and oppress the masses. He also critiques the idea of the state, arguing ...
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God and the State is a book written by the Russian anarchist philosopher and revolutionary, Mikhail Bakunin. Originally published in 1882, the book is a collection of essays and letters that express Bakunin's views on the relationship between religion, politics, and individual freedom.In the book, Bakunin argues that the concept of God is incompatible with individual freedom and that organized religion is a tool used by the ruling classes to control and oppress the masses. He also critiques the idea of the state, arguing that it is a coercive institution that exists to maintain the power and privilege of the ruling class.Bakunin's vision of a truly free society is one in which individuals are able to govern themselves without the interference of religious or political authorities. He advocates for a decentralized system of governance in which communities are able to make decisions for themselves and cooperate with one another on a voluntary basis.Despite its age, God and the State remains a seminal work in anarchist thought and continues to be widely read and studied today. It is a powerful critique of the institutions that have traditionally been used to control and oppress people and an inspiring call to action for those who seek a more just and equitable world.Who are right, the idealists or the materialists? The question once stated in this way hesitation becomes impossible. Undoubtedly the idealists are wrong and the materialists right. Yes, facts are before ideas; yes, the ideal, as Proudhon said, is but a flower, whose root lies in the material conditions of existence. Yes, the whole history of humanity, intellectual and moral, political and social, is but a reflection of its economic history.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
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