SAMUEL EDWARD KONKIN III Meaning and
Definition
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Samuel Edward Konkin III (1947-2004) was a Canadian political theorist and writer known for his contributions to the philosophy of agorism. Konkin was the founder and main proponent of the agorist ideology, which promotes a stateless society achieved through the peaceful and conscious creation of alternative institutions in the market economy.
Konkin's conceptualization of agorism stems from his rejection of the state as an unjust and coercive entity that hinders individual liberty. Instead, he advocated for agorism as a strategy to undermine and eventually replace the state. Agorism seeks to achieve this by encouraging voluntary interactions and economic activity in the 'counter-economy'—that is, engaging in black market activities, barter, illegal trade, and other mutually beneficial exchanges that operate outside government regulations.
As an intellectual figure, Konkin dedicated his writings to developing agorist theory and practice. He authored numerous works, including the influential treatise "New Libertarian Manifesto" (1980), which presented his vision and strategies for building a non-coercive society based on voluntary exchanges and non-aggression. He argued that agorism provides a practical roadmap towards achieving a stateless society without relying on political means or initiatives.
While Samuel Edward Konkin III may not be widely recognized outside of libertarian and anarchist circles, his ideas have had a lasting impact on the development of theoretical frameworks for those who advocate for individual freedom and the abolition of the state.
