Capitalists and Thieves

Name: Capitalists and Thieves
Author: Errico Malatesta

The work critiques the capitalist system and its moral implications regarding theft and property. It begins with an incident involving thieves who, upon being confronted by police, resort to violence. The author argues that the capitalist press exploits such events to vilify anarchists, conflating their ideology with criminality. The text asserts that anarchism fundamentally opposes the monopoly of land and production means, viewing the appropriation of labor as theft. It posits that capitalists, through historical violence and fraud, have stolen resources from the people, thus perpetuating a cycle of exploitation. The author distinguishes between professional thieves, who seek to exploit others without contributing, and those who steal out of necessity due to societal injustices. The narrative emphasizes that while professional thieves may be products of their environment, they are not morally superior to capitalists. Both groups are seen as part of a system that perpetuates inequality. Anarchism, according to the text, does not encourage theft but rather seeks to inspire a collective struggle for justice and equality, steering individuals away from both criminality and capitalism. The author concludes that any theft committed by anarchists is not a reflection of their beliefs but rather a deviation from them, reinforcing the idea that true anarchist principles advocate for communal ownership and the dismantling of oppressive structures rather than individual acts of theft.

By Errico Malatesta · First published 1891 · Genre: Political Philosophy, Social Critique, Anarchism · 1,018 words

First lines

Regarding the tragedies in Houndsditch and Sidney Street

In a back alley of the City, an attempt was made to rob a jewelry shop, and the thieves, surprised by the police, escaped by clearing themselves a passage with revolver shots. Later, two of the thieves, discovered in a house in the East End, defended themselves again with revolvers and died in battle.

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Capitalists and Thieves is listed on Textopian as an essay by Errico Malatesta, dated 1891 CE.

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Work type: Essay
Author: Errico Malatesta
Date: 1891 CE
Language: English
Genres: Political Philosophy, Social Critique, Anarchism, Economics, Sociology
Length: 1,018 words
Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)

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Genres

Political Philosophy — The book discusses Anarchist principles and critiques capitalism, making it a key text in political philosophy.
Social Critique — It critiques social injustices and the moral implications of theft within capitalist society.
Anarchism — The text explicitly addresses Anarchist ideology and its stance on property and theft.
Economics — It explores economic systems, particularly the dynamics of capitalism and labor exploitation.