The Conquest of Bread
Peter Kropotkin's 1892 account of how an anarchist communist society could work.
At a glance
Key ideas
The right to well-being, Expropriation, Enough for all …
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- Kropotkin argues that feudalism and capitalism thrive on and maintain poverty and scarcity.
- He claims every product is the work of everyone, so all people have a right to well-being.
- He sketches a society of common ownership where modern production meets everyone's needs with no more than five hours' work a day.
- He warns against state-centralised industry and authoritarian socialism.
Why it matters
- A classic of anarchist literature and the first complete, in-depth theory of anarchist communism, later cited by the Occupy movement.
Key facts
- Author
- Peter Kropotkin1
- Written in
- French, first as articles in the journal Le Révolté1
- Published
- 1892, Paris, with a preface by Élisée Reclus, who suggested the title1
- English
- Serialised in part in Freedom, London, 1892–1894; published as a book in England in 19061
- Nickname
- "The Bread Book"; BreadTube is named after it1
Key ideas
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The right to well-being1
"What we proclaim is the Right to Well-Being; Well-Being for All!"
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Expropriation1
The state's protection of private property keeps people from that right; property should go into the commons.
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Enough for all1
Industry already produces enough food, clothing and housing; only distribution is wrong.
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Luxury too1
Luxuries are part of a good life and would be made collectively by those who care about them.
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People will work1
Given security and free time, people work willingly at work they enjoy.
Connections
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