Study Of Mikhail Bakunin’s Concept Of Power And Authority

ABSTRACT

The work centres on the study of Mikhail Bakunin’s concept of Power and Authority. Power

and Authority are so central in the organisation of any society. No society can thrive in a

situation where nobody is in control. Philosophers all through the ages have advocated for

one form of power and Authority or another. In this work, Mikhail Bakunin presents his own

concept of power and authority that will enable the society to attain the end or purpose of its

existence. Bakunin is seen as an anarchist by some scholars. However, in this work,

Bakunins’ concept of power and authority is viewed in what Bakunin identified as secret

dictatorship. What this means is that machinery will be put in motion to carry out a broadly

based propaganda. By the power of this propaganda, and also by organisation among

people themselves then join together separate popular forces in a mighty strength capable of

demolishing the state. Invariably, what Bakunin is advocating is a stateless society without

any hierarchy or government and every citizen is equal. This work will X-ray in a critical

manner the merits and demerits of Bakunins’ view. The work concludes that no society can

function well without Power and Authority.