Peter Kropotkin - can you tell us your ideas on love, sexuality, and relationships, and how these views fit into your broader anarchist philosophy?
I am happy to do that. First of all, I believe love should never be coerced and should arise from free choice. Power imbalances in relationships — economic, social, or emotional — undermine affection and cooperation. Relationships need to be based on reciprocal respect, not domination.
Additionally, I oppose possessiveness and jealousy that stem from hierarchical thinking. Each partner needs to retain personal autonomy. Relationships need to support individual growth.
Unfortunately, in capitalist societies, poverty or unequal resources can create unbalanced power dynamics, making true mutual aid impossible even in love. Promoting economic equality is a prerequisite for healthy, non-hierarchical partnerships.
I support sexual freedom, including free choice of partners and expression of desire, so long as it is consensual and responsible. I oppose forced marriages, and restricted female independence, or treated love as property.
Modern Relationships must prioritize equality, consent, and cooperation. Hierarchies based on money, social status, or control, must be avoided. Love must be approached as a mutual, growing bond, not a system of domination or dependency.