Two cheers for anarchy - Essay Example

Two Cheers for Anarchism In the book, Scott presents an anarchist viewpoint and defends the perception of anarchists. The author has described the mass revolutions, as well as protests and how they bring about the interactions between social and political issues. The book also covers the sensibility that an anarchist has; this relates to the reactions that anarchists have towards creativity, knowledge, as well as the common aspects that relate to the lives of people who live a normal and ordinary life.

The book highlights the constructive nature of anarchism and poses a challenge to people who have downplayed the role that hierarchy plays, both in private and public life. From the book, it is evident that hierarchy is common in everyday life and in many situations. As such, it ought to be considered and the role it plays given undivided attention. The book also provides an argument of Scott’s view of freedom. Based on the arguments that he presents in the book, it can be concluded that the state does not always oppose freedom.

According to the author, the state can play a role of emancipation whereby it can free people from injustices that deny them freedom. Through democratic representation of the citizens, the state strives to ensure that all people are equally represented and that no person enjoys freedom at the expense of others. Scott argues that anarchism teaches people about revolutionary and reformist political changes in society and how they tend to happen. Based on the arguments provided in the book, it can be concluded that protests and movements are not necessarily supported by organizations.

Rather, it is the other way round whereby protests and movements enhance the functioning of organizations (Scott 10). Scott also discusses the aspects of structural change in society and the factors that determine such changes. From the book, it can be concluded that structural change is witnessed when there is mass destructions that happen as a result of riots, arson, theft, as well as unorganized demonstrations and mass actions, which threatens the existence and functioning of the institutions that the state has already established.

Scott notes that, from an anarchist’s point of view, subordinate members of the society such as artisans and peasants were considered thinkers who shaped the political views of their respective regions (Scott 22). All chapters in the book start with a story about anarchism; in each of the book chapters, there is a representation of an element of truth about anarchism. While narrating his stories, the author focuses on several topics such as poaching, desertion, globalization, riots, and lack of disorderly public actions, as well as the knowledge of vernacular language (Scott 30).

The book also portrays the wrongs committed by the state and the various methods that the masses use to resist against the actions of the state. When people are not impressed by the actions of the state, they take to the streets and protest against what they consider unfair treatment by the state officials. The book also covers how institutions may fail to deliver promises made to citizens and how this affects the lives of citizens.Works CitedScott, James C. Two Cheers for Anarchism: Six Easy Pieces on Autonomy, Dignity, and Meaningful Work and Play.

Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2012. Print.