Our Core Principles

Voluntaryists adhere to a philosophy based on the idea that all human interactions should be voluntary. If you take those ideas to their conclusion, you are an anarchist. The world we envision includes voluntary relations between equals, rather than between rulers and subjects.

Anarchy is about individuals deciding for themselves how they will interact with the world. This does not mean they will be able to oppress or aggress upon others without repercussions. Voluntaryism is Anarchy because property rights and self-ownership are immutable but do not ever necessitate coercion or force such as telling others what they can and can’t do with their property. In the current system, do you feel like you have control? In a voluntaryist world, there is no legal way to aggress against others, and you are free to determine the ‘rules’ over your own property.

We define evil as the destruction of freedom. A choice for the lesser of two evils is still a choice for evil and will always result in evil. You never have to choose evil. Just like the trajectory of all evil is more evil, the trajectory of all tyrants, both big and small, is more tyranny. The ends don’t justify the means. The means and the end are the same. Freedom must be taken.

Decisions are best made by the people who are affected by a decision. There are no “one size fits all” solutions that work best for most people. Such “solutions” are usually only made possible through compulsion. The best solution for everyone seeking a voluntary and peaceful world is to resist and refuse involuntary, compulsive strategies while being tolerant and supportive (or at the very least not opposed to) societies consisting of only pluralities of competing voluntary peaceful offerings and solutions to meet the needs of individuals.

Moral Philosophy vs Political Philosophy

I don't have to explain how anything will/would work. If you wish to use force or coercion against others, YOU have the burden-of-proof for why. I don't have to prove why I should not be robbed, raped, assaulted, kidnapped, etc.

Most of us are already Voluntaryists and we all already live in a state of anarchy. We live in anarchy now. We define having “authority” as having power over and the right to exercise that power over someone or something. There is no such thing as authority beyond the self because no one has the right to exercise their will against another’s will. We are free to act as we like. The game of rulers and subjects is just a story we tell ourselves. We are hindered by the people called the police force (see our section on voluntary means of defense). 

We can become more free from government bullying by building alternate networks of free people. “Government/the state” is the belief that some people can possess authority (power and the right to exercise it) over other people. The belief that some of us are rulers while the rest of us are subjects and must obey is a story people tell themselves. Some people stand up and defy tyrants. Luckily, resisting tyranny does not require violence or aggression.

We are providing opportunities and options so that people don’t have to seek services that the proceeds from are going towards the government and people who also drain their resources to the government; granting them lesser autonomy and the perpetuation of the under-supplied agorist market.

Embrace of the Parallel Economy (Agorism):

We believe in actively building the free society within the shell of the old through the creation and growth of the parallel economy. By engaging in voluntary exchange, offering goods and services outside of state control, and fostering decentralized markets, we directly undermine the power of the coercive system and create tangible pathways to freedom and prosperity for individuals right now. Our focus is on building real alternatives, not just protesting the existing order.

Practical Action & Real-World Solutions:

Our philosophy is not confined to abstract ideals. We are committed to taking practical action and developing real-world solutions to the challenges individuals face in navigating and transcending the current system. From establishing nomadic communities and facilitating decentralized marketplaces to fostering skills-sharing and mutual aid networks, we prioritize tangible strategies that empower people to live more freely and resiliently in their daily lives, right here in Oakland and beyond.

Continuous Learning & Adaptation:

The path to freedom is not static. We embrace a mindset of continuous learning, critical self-reflection, and adaptation. We are committed to exploring new ideas, refining our strategies, and evolving our approaches based on real-world experience and the insights of our community. This ongoing process of learning and adaptation is essential for building a truly resilient and thriving free society.