Before continuing, we would like to point out that individuals trying to improve their lot in life is not against anarchist principles. How could it be?
is against anarchist principles is centralized power, oppression, and exploitation, all of which flow from large inequalities of income. This is the source of anarchist concern about equality — concern that is not based on some sort of “politics of envy.” Anarchists oppose inequality because it soon leads to the few oppressing the many (a relationship which distorts the individuality and liberty of all involved as well as the health and very lives of the oppressed). Anarchists desire to create a society in which such relationships are impossible, believing that the most effective way to do this is by empowering all, by creating an egoistic concern for liberty and equality among the oppressed, and by developing social organisations which encourage self-management. As for individuals’ trying to improve their lot, anarchists maintain that cooperation is the best means to do so, not competition. Robert Axelrod, in his book, The Evolution of Cooperation agrees and presents abundant evidenc
