For all those crying, "communism is coercion", "communism is authoritarianism", let me introduce you to Peter Kropotkin. Kropotkin was a zoologist and advocate of decentralized communist societies, a.k.a, anarcho-communism. Here's an LLM-derived short biography.
Peter Kropotkin (1842-1921) was a Russian geographer, zoologist, and one of the most influential anarchist thinkers. He is best known for his advocacy of anarcho-communism, a form of communism that emphasizes the abolition of the state and capitalism in favor of a decentralized, stateless society where resources and goods are communally owned and managed. Kropotkin's vision of society was rooted in mutual aid, voluntary cooperation, and the belief that human beings are naturally inclined towards solidarity and communal living.
Kropotkin argued that centralized state power and capitalism inherently create inequality, oppression, and conflict. Instead, he proposed decentralized communities, where local groups or communes would manage their own affairs, making decisions through direct democracy and consensus. These communities would cooperate with each other in a network, exchanging goods and services based on need rather than profit. By removing the hierarchical structures of state and capital, Kropotkin believed that individuals could freely associate and work together for the common good, fostering a society of equality, freedom, and mutual support.
In summary, Kropotkin's advocacy for decentralized communist societies involves dismantling both the state and capitalist systems, replacing them with self-managed, cooperative communities that operate on principles of mutual aid and shared resources. This vision aims to create a society where individuals have autonomy and equality, and where the social fabric is strengthened through collaboration and collective responsibility.
Peter Kropotkin - Wikipedia
