Anarchism vs Marxism-Leninism

===Definitions===Anarchism: a political theory holding all forms of governmental authority to be unnecessary and undesirable and advocating a society based on voluntary cooperation and free association of individuals and groups[1].Marxism-Leninism: a communist ideology, officially based upon the theories of Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels and Vladimir Lenin, that promotes the development and creation of an international communist society through the leadership of a vanguard party presiding over a revolutionary socialist state that represents a dictatorship of the proletariat[2].===Pro Case===Seeing as both Marxism and anarchism agree that a stateless society is the end goal[3], it would appear that this debate will focus primarily on the methods which each respective philosophy supports to attain an anarchist society. Marxism-Leninism has a very different way to attain this end then does anarchism. While anarchist do not separate means from ends (and are thus against State methods aimed at reaching anarchist ends), Marxism-Leninism specifically advocates a seizure and control of the government in order to bring about anarchist communism. Therefore this debate will be concerned with whether or not State or non-State methods are preferable to reach anarchism. Contention. Marxism-Leninism's analysis of the State.The method in which Marxism-Leninism supports eliminating the State is to infuse it with enough power so as to eliminate class distinctions between the bourgeois and the proletarian. It does this by abolishing capitalism and with it the class differences which it breeds. After this, according to Marxist-Leninist theory, the State would naturally whither away. This is because M-L conceives the State as primarily an economic entity, one which was created to serve the interests of an economic elite. Once this elite is eliminated from existence, the State withers away as "no longer necessary[3]". There are a few problems with this though and these problems prove to highlight the advantages of anarchism.The primary problem in Marxist-Leninist theory is that it (A) makes a mistake in identifying the primary function and nature of the State and (B) fails to take into account the incentives provided in the creation of a socialist State. Likewise, these points also serve to show that anarchism is a superior philosophy in that it (A) makes no category error in its power analysis and (B) correctly identifies the inevitable replacement of class types under State socialism.Counter. Function of the State and Categorical Classes.Marxism-Leninism identifies the State as originating only in response to the capitalist (or any oppressive class e.g. feudal lords, etc.) class's wish to protect its economic interests. But the problem here is that this analysis fails to identify a broader characteristic of the State; to protect the interests of the general power elite. The mistake M-L makes is to assume that economic interests are the only ones in existence. But this is not the case. M-L fails to identify that the State serves the interests of whoever is in power, not necessarily their economic interests. For instance, once State socialism was established in the Soviet Union, we saw a new class emerge; the political class. While the State previously served to protect economic interests, the establishment of State socialism created an elite class interested in protecting it's current power. This presents a problem for M-L. It's not the economic system only that creates class divisions, but the economic system in conjunction with the political system. Anarchism focuses on both of these aspects while M-L only serves to replace one class interest (the economic) with another (the political).===Sources===[1] http://www.merriam-webster.com...[2] http://en.wikipedia.org...[3] Anti-Duhrinh. Friedrich Engels (Part 3, Chapter 2).http://www.marxists.org..."When at last it becomes the real representative of the whole of society, it renders itself unnecessary. As soon as there is no longer any social class to be held in subjection, as soon as class rule, and the individual struggle for existence based upon our present anarchy in production, with the collisions and excesses arising from these, are removed, nothing more remains to be repressed, and a special repressive force, a state, is no longer necessary."---Stateless communism at the end stage of history is also a major component of the Marxist conception of history."