BookSense
Two Cheers for Anarchism

Two Cheers for Anarchism

by James C. Scott

First published 2012 · 200 pages · about 3 hours to read

Buy on Amazon

Also as Kindle · AudiobookFind in a library

About this book

Two Cheers for Anarchism: Six Easy Pieces on Autonomy, Dignity, and Meaningful Work and Play is a 2012 book-length defense of the anarchist perspective, written by anthropologist James C. Scott and published by Princeton University Press.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Will you like it?

Readers interested in political theory and in critiques of the state will find this short book useful. Scott writes in plain, argumentative prose and draws on history and everyday examples, so it suits general readers as well as students.

  • autonomy
  • dignity
  • skepticism of the state
  • meaningful work
  • self-organization

Written with AI.

Books like Two Cheers for Anarchism

Quick answers

What age is Two Cheers for Anarchism for?
Adults.
Is Two Cheers for Anarchism a standalone?
Yes, it stands on its own.
Does Two Cheers for Anarchism have violence, sex or strong language?
Nothing a reader needs warning about.

Written with AI from what's known about the book.

Reader's guide

Themesautonomy, dignity, skepticism of the state, meaningful work and play, self-organization, hierarchy and authority

autonomy · dignity · skepticism of the state · meaningful work and play · self-organization · hierarchy and authority

StyleSix essays of plain, argumentative prose, written for a general educated audience. The tone is conversational and wry, with concrete examples from history and everyday life. The book is short, about 200 pages, and each essay can be read on its own.

Six essays of plain, argumentative prose, written for a general educated audience. The tone is conversational and wry, with concrete examples from history and everyday life. The book is short, about 200 pages, and each essay can be read on its own.

How it was writtenJames C. Scott was a political scientist and anthropologist at Yale University, known for studies of peasant resistance and of state projects such as Seeing Like a State (1998). Two Cheers for Anarchism was published by Princeton University Press in 2012 and draws on his longer interest in anarchist thought. Its title echoes E. M. Forster's essay 'Two Cheers for Democracy'.

James C. Scott was a political scientist and anthropologist at Yale University, known for studies of peasant resistance and of state projects such as Seeing Like a State (1998). Two Cheers for Anarchism was published by Princeton University Press in 2012 and draws on his longer interest in anarchist thought. Its title echoes E. M. Forster's essay 'Two Cheers for Democracy'.

How it was receivedThe book was reviewed as a serious, accessible statement of anarchist ideas by a mainstream academic. It is read today in courses on political theory and by general readers interested in anarchism and critiques of the state.

The book was reviewed as a serious, accessible statement of anarchist ideas by a mainstream academic. It is read today in courses on political theory and by general readers interested in anarchism and critiques of the state.

Questions to discussScott gives the book only 'two cheers' for anarchism. What does he withhold, and why?

These may talk about the whole book.

  1. Scott gives the book only 'two cheers' for anarchism. What does he withhold, and why?
  2. How does the idea of autonomy in these essays differ from liberal ideas of individual freedom?
  3. Do the book's examples of meaningful work and play hold up outside the settings Scott describes?
  4. Can a society keep the values of anarchism, such as dignity and self-direction, without giving up formal government?
  5. How does the book's concern with the state connect to Scott's earlier studies of state projects and legibility?
Print these for your book club →

Written with AI from what's known about the book.

More by James C. Scott

Books by James C. Scott →

Parts of this page are written with AI from what's known about the book, and can get details wrong. How BookSense works