The Conquest of Bread

By: Peter Kropotkin

Narrated by: Jim D Johnston

Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

The Conquest of Bread is an 1892 book by the Russian anarcho-communist Peter Kropotkin: (Pyotr Alexeyevich Kropotkin, December 9, 1842 - February 8, 1921) a Russian activist, revolutionary, scientist, geographer and philosopher who advocated anarcho-communism.

Originally written in French, it first appeared as a series of articles in the anarchist journal Le Révolté. It was first published in Paris with a preface by Élisée Reclus, who also suggested the title. Between 1892 and 1894, it was serialized in part in the London journal Freedom, of which Kropotkin was a co-founder. In the work, Kropotkin points out what he considers to be the defects of the economic systems of feudalism and capitalism and why he believes they thrive on and maintain poverty and scarcity. He goes on to propose a more decentralized economic system based on mutual aid and voluntary cooperation, asserting that the tendencies for this kind of organization already exist, both in evolution and in human society.

The Conquest of Bread has become a classic of political anarchist literature. It was heavily influential on both the Spanish Civil War and the Occupy movement as well as Rojava (the Democratic Federation of Northern Syria).

The publication of The Conquest of Bread was a watershed moment in anarchist history since it was the first time that a completed and in-depth theoretical work of anarcho-communist theory was available to the public. The publication of the text shifted the focus of anarchism from individualist, mutualist and collectivist strains to social and communist tendencies. This shift would prove to be one of the most enduring changes in the history of anarchism as anarchism developed throughout the 20th century with Kropotkin and The Conquest of Bread as firm reference points.

Public Domain (P)2018 Alexander Ivanov

If we were all perfect. That's a big if.

Ok. Done.
My thoughts:

Is there a utopian state that Communism and or Socialism could obtain if everyone, or even the vast majority of people involved were 100% on board and worked to make the system function flawlessly? Sure. If you as a citizen can put your faith into every other citizen to do his or her part then it no doubt works. Understand that we're not talking about Socialism dictated to us by any government but rather a mutual agreement among citizens to make what we can and take only what we need.


Is there also a utopian side of Capitalism? Sure. If all employers did their best to provide good pay and good working conditions for their employees so they in turn made a superior product. They priced their superior product at a reasonable price so as to be competitive in the market. Our children grew up understanding what part they would play in our system and went to school with glad hearts willing to learn how to best become productive members of our great community.

Does this version of Capitalism exist anywhere or does some price gouging exist? Do some workers get the short end of the stick when it comes to how they're treated and how they're being paid? Do a lot of kids go to school without giving a rats behind about how they will fit into our society? Yes, yes, and absolutely.

However, if we take our American version of a not so perfect Capitalism and put it up against Russia or China's not so perfect version of Communism, I'll take our imperfect version any day.

Ya wanna make it better? Treat your employees with the respect they deserve. If you are an employee do your best for your paycheck. Don't price gouge. Teach your kids what it means to live in a free society and what part they will play in it. And educate yourself so you know how good you have it.