What is mutualism?

Ideology

Mutualism is an economic theory and anarchist school of thought that advocates a society where each person might possess a means of production, either individually or collectively, with trade representing equivalent amounts of labour in the free market. Integral to the scheme is the establishment of a mutual-credit bank that would lend to producers at a minimal interest rate, just high enough to cover administration. Mutualism is based on the discredited labour theory of value that holds that when labour or its product is sold, in exchange, it ought to receive goods or services embodying the amount of labour necessary to produce an article of exactly similar and equal utility.

Mutualists oppose the idea of individuals receiving an income through loans, investments, and rent, as they believe these individuals are not labouring. Insofar as they ensure the worker’s right to the full product of their labour, mutualists support markets and property in the product of labour. However, they argue for conditional titles to land, whose ownership is legitimate only so long as it remains in use or occupation thus advocating personal property, but not private property.

Followers

Mutualists support a balance of both economic freedom and restrictions alongside maximum cultural freedom. Mutualists support the abolition of the state. Mutualists oppose some private property rights and some uses of money.

Allies

Mutualists will ally themselves with those nearby on the political spectrum, such as syndicalists, liberals, Georgists, and libertarians.

Enemies

Mutualists consider all authoritarians, whether they socialist or capitalist, to be their enemies.

Location on the political spectrum

Mutualism is located at the far-bottom centre of the political spectrum. It is bordered by liberalism, libertarian capitalism, Georgism, syndicalism, and libertarian socialism. As it is a fringe ideology, mutualism does not occupy as much space on the spectrum as more mainstream ideologies.