The Operating System - An Anarchist Theory of the Modern State

One of the most unique aspects of anarchism as a political philosophy is that it seeks to abolish the state. But what exactly is “the state”? The State is like a vast operating system for ordering and controlling relations among human society, the economy, and the natural world, analogous to a digital operating system like Windows or MacOS. Like a state, an operating system “governs” the programs and applications under it and networked with it, as well as, to some extent, the individuals who avail themselves of these tools and resources. No matter how different states seem on the surface they share core similarities, namely: * The State is a relatively new thing in world history * The State is European in origin and outlook * States are “individuals” in the eyes of the law * The State claims the right to determine who is a person * The State is an instrument of violence and war * The State is above the law * The State is first and foremost an economic endeavor Anyone concerned with entrenched power, income inequality, lack of digital privacy, climate change, the amateurish response to COVID-19, or military-style policing will find eye-opening insights into how states operate and build more power for themselves—at our expense. The state won’t solve our most pressing problems, so why do we obey? It’s time to think outside the state. ([Source](https://www.akpress.org/operating-system.html)) What do we mean when we talk about “the State”? Multiple polls show a growing disillusionment with the State and representative government as vehicles for progressive change, and particularly as means to tame capitalism, let alone as a basis for seeing beyond it. In a quick and readable format, Eric Laursen proposes thinking about the State in an entirely new way—not simply as government or legal institutions, but as humanity’s analog to a computer operating system—opening up a new interpretation of the system of governance that emerged in Europe five-hundred years ago and now drives almost every aspect of human society. He also demonstrates powerfully why humanity’s life-and-death challenges—including racism, climate change, and rising economic exploitation—cannot be addressed as long as the State continues to exercise dominion. "One of the most unique aspects of anarchism as a political philosophy is that it seeks to abolish the state. But what exactly is "the state"? The State is like a vast operating system for ordering and controlling relations among human society, the economy, and the natural world, analogous to a digital operating system like Windows or MacOS. Like a state, an operating system "governs" the programs and applications under it and networked with it, as well as, to some extent, the individuals who avail themselves of these tools and resources ..."--Amazon.com Foreword, by Maia Ramnath Acknowledgments Introduction: Toward an Anarchist Theory of the State The State and COVID-19 Understanding the State Versions of the Operating System Characteristics of the System, 1: Ways and Means V. Characteristics of the System, 2: Motivations and Drivers Characteristics of the System, 3: Distinguishing Features and Preferences Why Are We against the State? Shaking Off the State Conclusion: We Create Our Own Reality Notes Index Foreword by Maia Ramnath Acknowledgements Introduction: Toward an Anarchist Theory of the State The State and COVID-19 Understanding the State Versions of the Operating System Characteristics of the System, 1: Ways and Means Characteristics of the System, 2: Motivations and Drivers Characteristics of the System, 3: Distinguishing: Features and Preferences Why Are We against the State? Shaking Off the State Conclusion: We Create Our Own Reality Notes Index Hoping to soak up every last bit of partisan advantage in the face of continuing mass protests against African American deaths at the hands of police, U.S. president Donald J. Trump picked a most familiar ideological scapegoat.