“Now anarchy, on the other hand, is almost starting from the principle that “in diversity, there is strength,” which makes much more sense from the point of view of looking at the natural world.”

—  Alan Moore

Alan Moore on Anarchism (2009)
Context: Fascism is a complete abdication of personal responsibility. You are surrendering all responsibility for your own actions to the state on the belief that in unity there is strength, which was the definition of fascism represented by the original roman symbol of the bundle of bound twigs. Yes, it is a very persuasive argument: “In unity there is strength.” But inevitably people tend to come to a conclusion that the bundle of bound twigs will be much stronger if all the twigs are of a uniform size and shape, that there aren’t any oddly shaped or bent twigs that are disturbing the bundle. So it goes from “in unity there is strength” to “in uniformity there is strength” and from there it proceeds to the excesses of fascism as we’ve seen them exercised throughout the 20th century and into the 21st.
Now anarchy, on the other hand, is almost starting from the principle that “in diversity, there is strength,” which makes much more sense from the point of view of looking at the natural world. Nature, and the forces of evolution — if you happen to be living in a country where they still believe in the forces of evolution, of course — did not really see fit to follow that “in unity and in uniformity there is strength” idea. If you want to talk about successful species, then you’re talking about bats and beetles; there are thousands of different varieties of different bat and beetle.

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update Sept. 14, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "Now anarchy, on the other hand, is almost starting from the principle that “in diversity, there is strength,” which mak…" by Alan Moore?
Alan Moore photo
Alan Moore 274
English writer primarily known for his work in comic books 1953

Related quotes

James Joseph Sylvester photo
Sun Myung Moon photo

“Looking at the Moonies from the normal, common-sense point of view, we certainly appear to be a bunch of crazy people!”

Sun Myung Moon (1920–2012) Korean religious leader

As quoted in "Zoff off, Moon loon, and Cheat schmeat" in The Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2001/sep/20/thefiver.sport (2001-09-20)

George Eliot photo
Alex Salmond photo
Gary Zukav photo
Neal Stephenson photo

“The mere suggestion that it might be possible to look at a thing from more than one point of view was infuriating to these people.”

"Five Thousand Years Later"; referring to the Diggers
Seveneves (2015), Part Three

Richard Feynman photo

Related topics