Political Theory: Liberalism, Anarchism, and Marxism

Theoretical Perspectives on State and Society

5. Other theoretical perspectives:

English and Economic Liberalism

English liberalism: Civil society is defined as a confluence of interests among the individuals who form a society. This definition is used to fight against the state, which is presented as a limiter of these interests. Civil society sets the pace, and the state must set the tone to make it possible; otherwise, there is only chaos for no interest. Economic liberalism adopts this definition, replacing the individual with the market. In the Western world, there is a certain fear of political power. In Anglo-Saxon countries, where things are generally going well, people usually ask for less state intervention; however, they do ask for intervention when things do not go well. If political liberalism is stretched to the extreme, it could fall into anarchy, the highest exaltation of the individual. Anarchism, as a political movement, has often advocated violence as a means to achieve its goals.

Anarchism and Individualism

Anarchism: This represents the supreme exaltation of individualism. When one believes there should be no state, they fall into anarchist visions. Anarchism, as a vision translated into politics, does not renounce violence, which is considered a legitimate means. Taken to the extreme, liberalism becomes anarchism. There is no anarchist political party because it would be a contradiction; it is against any kind of bond and is based strictly on individualism.

Positivism and Social Identity

Positivism: Proponents argue that the state's future must be one in which people decide the links that can be established within society. This idea was very innovative in the nineteenth century.

• Before World War I: The German worker had more in common with a French worker than with a German bourgeois. Therefore, more emphasis was placed on status rather than national identity.
• During World War I: National identity became the most important factor, and many people were willing to kill for it. All of this led to the failure of the working class.

Within positivism, we can differentiate between two types of solidarity:

1. Organic solidarity: When the identity being defended is based on class.
2. Mechanical solidarity: When it defends national identity.

Marxism and Class Struggle

Marxism: At the international level, its main contribution was the concept of class struggle. Internationally, this concept translates into a struggle between countries. When defending the emancipation of the working class, Marxism is defending the empowerment of civil society against oppressive institutions. Marxism failed to create alternative societies, though some authors argue that Marxist questions remain relevant today.

Legal Nature and Global Sovereignty

Trends of a legal nature: There are various schools and authors, such as Georges Scelle, who rethink the concept of sovereignty. It is proposed that international law affects individuals directly. They suggest there is only one sovereignty—that of planet Earth—which should be ruled by the people. In this view, the United States would be the middleman, and a world state should be created.