"Anarchy in Action" By @AncapAir
Posted with permission. Original essay posted on X July 21,2024 , link below.
Anarchist ideas are often criticized as being unrealistic or untested, dismissed as utopian fantasies or recipes for chaos and disorder. However, the reality is that anarchism is practiced every day across the world. In fact, one of the most remarkable examples of anarchy in action is happening right now, in the digital realm that is the internet. At the core of anarchist ideology is the goal of an environment in which individuals can voluntarily associate, exchange ideas, and transact without the need for centralized intermediaries or regulatory bodies using a monopoly on violence to coerce compliance. The digital landscape of the internet allows people to bypass traditional power structures free from the constraints of geographical boundaries and state control.
The internet's decentralized nature enables individuals to protect their personal data and maintain their autonomy, thanks to the widespread adoption of open source encryption and privacy tools. The internet's open architecture has also given rise to a vibrant ecosystem of voluntary associations, from online communities and social media platforms to decentralized marketplaces and cryptocurrencies. These associations are often self-regulated and maintained without the need for state intervention, relying on mutual consent, reputation systems, and community norms to ensure their smooth functioning. In short, the internet fosters the very voluntary association, transparency, and peaceful coexistence championed by anarchists, and it is essential to recognize and celebrate these benefits.
Despite the big tech companies and the state's existence in society, the internet has enabled individuals to engage in voluntary association on an unprecedented scale, fostering a diverse range of online communities, social media groups, and forums. With few exceptions (of which, almost all are chastised by its users; e.g. Facebook), these digital spaces are often self-regulated, with participants establishing their own rules and norms for interaction. For instance, online forums and social media platforms like 𝕏 (to a lesser, but decent degree) rely on community moderators and user feedback to police the site's community standards, while cryptocurrency enthusiasts have developed decentralized networks for exchanging value and information. This self-regulation is a hallmark of voluntary association, allowing individuals to organize and interact without the need for state intervention or control.
Voluntary association on the internet has other numerous benefits, including increased autonomy and innovation. By bypassing traditional institutions and geographical boundaries, individuals can collaborate and exchange ideas more freely, leading to novel solutions and products. Moreover, digital nomadism – the ability to work and live across borders, unencumbered by traditional constraints – has become a reality, allowing individuals to pursue their passions and interests without being tied to a specific location. This concept is inherently anarchist, as it rejects the notion that individuals must be bound by national borders or institutional structures.
Delving deeper past the clear internet is the misunderstood and infamous dark web. Dark web networks like Tor and I2P are prime examples of anarchy in action on the internet. These networks enable anonymous communication and transactions, allowing individuals to interact and exchange value without revealing their true identities if they do not wish to do so. This anonymity fosters peaceful coexistence and voluntary association among individuals with differing values and goals, as they are free to pursue their interests without fear of persecution or retribution. Ironically, the level of people berating one another over differing opinions on dark websites like Dread (a popular discussion forum that mirrors the style of Reddit) is far less than what is experienced on clear net social media sites like Facebook or 𝕏. The dark web, in particular, has become a haven for individuals seeking increased privacy and security in their online activities; something for which we should all strive.
Despite concerns about illicit activities on the dark web, it's essential to recognize that it also facilitates numerous positive activities. For instance, certain hacker groups voluntarily use the dark web to target and take down websites engaged in human trafficking, helping to combat this heinous crime. This has been known to occasionally even dox individuals who engage on these sites, or even the site owners if such information can be ascertained in an attack. Whistleblowers also find a safe haven on the dark web, where they can anonymously pass on information about corruption or illegal practices without fear of retribution or retaliation. Most notably, Edward Snowden (@Snowden) relied on Tor to anonymously contact Laura Poitras and Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) in order to coordinate their meeting in Hong Kong in June of 2013, where he revealed the NSA's mass surveillance programs. Additionally, the dark web provides a platform for dissidents and activists living in oppressive regimes to communicate and organize without being detected by their governments. These examples illustrate the significant benefits of anarchy on the internet, where individuals can voluntarily associate and work together to achieve positive goals without relying on state control or regulation.
None of this is to say that illicit activities don't exist on the dark web. They do, but the overwhelming majority of illicit services revolve around the drug trade. In an anarchist society, the drug trade would exist openly within a free market anyway, and it would exist as it currently does on the dark net. The violence associated with the physical trade of drugs outside of the dark web is only perpetuated by the black market created by the state's war on drugs, which is notably absent on the dark web. Despite the anonymity of dark net markets (which do not require sellers to sell illicit items), these markets utilize reputation-based systems to ensure the highest quality service for buyers and sellers. Voluntary escrow services are also implemented to coordinate transactions and keep all parties safe and anonymous. This demonstrates that even in the absence of state regulation, market forces can still promote accountability, quality, and safety in these trades. In fact, the only violence that takes place in such transactions are those initiated by state agents in their enforcement of unjust and unethical prohibition laws.
If anarchy were allowed to be the norm in everyday society, as it has been shown to be on the internet, the world would reap the same benefits on an exponential level in their everyday lives. The voluntary associations, decentralized organization, and encryption that have made the internet a haven for peaceful coexistence and innovation would become the standard in all aspects of life. Individuals would be free to pursue their passions and interests without being bound by national borders or senseless regulatory burdens, leading to unprecedented levels of autonomy and innovation.
In such a society, the benefits would be felt in every corner of life. The absence of centralized control and regulation would lead to increased competition, quality, and safety in all industries. The emphasis on reputation and community norms would promote accountability and trust among individuals. Most importantly, the world would be devoid of a monopoly on violence, which would lead to a drastic reduction in violence and conflict. As people from all over the world connect and collaborate on a voluntary basis, a new era of global understanding, cooperation, and progress would dawn, free from the constraints of the state.
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