Abolition Quote by Benjamin Tucker
“The Anarchists answer that the abolition of the State will leave in existence a defensive association, resting no longer on a compulsory but on a voluntary basis, which will restrain invaders by any means that may prove necessary.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "State Socialism and Anarchism", 1895
A stateless society would rely on voluntary, defensive groups to protect against threats, replacing compulsory authority.
In simple terms: Voluntary defense replaces state force.
Key Takeaway
Promote voluntary community defense.
Themes
anarchism
political theory
voluntaryism
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- rural communes
- online activist networks
- mutual aid groups
- self‑defense training
Key Concepts
social contract
defense
non‑coercion
security
Questions to Reflect On
- Is voluntary defense realistic in modern societies?
- What mechanisms ensure accountability without a state?
A Different Perspective
Voluntary groups may lack resources to deter powerful aggressors.
![“You have not been mistaken in supposing my views and feeling to be in favor of the abolition of war. Of my dispos[i]tion to maintain peace until its condition shall be made less tolerable than that of war itself, the world has had proofs, and more, perhaps, than it has approved. I hope it is…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/77f/thomas-jefferson-43_abolition_you-have-not-been-mistaken-in-supposing_184816.jpg)
