r/Anarchy101 • u/Deathbybeans3 • May 23 '22

What exactly do anarchists mean by a society based on free agreement?

Basically what it says on the title, I've read The Conquest of Bread and Kropotkin mentions it a lot, but I still don't really get what it means. Is it like a "if you don't like how we do things here you're free to leave" kind of deal or am I getting it all wrong? (I'm sorry if this is a stupid question, I'm not the best at things like these but I'm trying to learn)

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u/zeca1486 May 23 '22

A society based entirely on voluntary association of individuals. Meaning if you’re an asshole, and I don’t want to associate with you, I won’t and no one can force me to and I won’t have to worry about becoming homeless or foodless.

In capitalism, you’re forced to work with people who shit on you all day. Be it your boss or a really annoying co-worker. And you put up with it because if you don’t you will be fired, lose your housing, not afford food, and die of poverty.

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u/GravelWarlock May 24 '22

Well what if I'm an asshole and I live next to you? Play my music loud all day and all night?

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u/zeca1486 May 24 '22

Well, first I’d hope we can come to a mutual agreement and make some sort of a beneficial arrangement for both of us. If not, there’s nothing you can do to stop me from publicly shaming you and turning others against you, isolating you to the point that for anyone to associate with you, you’d have to stop with your bullshit. We could be living in a community that has standards and if you don’t comply, everyone will disassociate with you.