Mutualism (economic theory)

Mutualism is an economic theory or system based on a labor theory of value that advocates that equal amounts of labor should receive equal pay. Pierre Joseph Proudhon coined the term "mutualism" to describe his formalized economic theory based on that theory of value. Prior to Proudhon's advocacy, mutualism was already being practiced by individualist anarchists first in America and then in England. Mutualism can in many ways be considered "the original anarchy," since Proudhon was the first to call himself an anarchist. He claimed that "anarchy is order" - the natural order of true unity from below, rather than the false unity brough about by constraint. His thoughts on the economics of such an anarchist society are known as Mutualism. Individualist anarchists often espouse mutualism.

Related Topics:
Labor theory of value - Pierre Joseph Proudhon - Individualist anarchists - Anarchist - Individualist anarchist

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Near the end of his life, Proudhon wrote, "All of my economic ideas as developed over twenty-five years can be summed up in the words: agricultural-industrial federation. All of my political ideas boil down to a similar formula: political federation or decentralization."

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