Joseph Dejacque

About the author

Joseph Dejacque, Pioneer of Anarchocommunism

Joseph Déjacque was born on December 27, 1821, in France. He became an influential anarchist, a libertarian poet, and an essayist. Déjacque was one of the first individuals to use the term 'libertarian' in a political sense. His most notable work, 'The Humanisphere,' a utopian work, envisaged a world where individuals would live in communal societies, free of government and exploitation.

He passed away on February 29, 1864. Despite not seeing his ideals come to fruition during his lifetime, Déjacque has left an indelible mark on anarchist theory. He is particularly remembered for his work advocating for the rights of women and his clear articulation of anarchist-communist ideas, well before the likes of Peter Kropotkin. His vision of a society devoid of central authority, in which all men and women are free and equal, has influenced generations of anarchist thinkers.

Date of Birth: December 27, 1821

Date of Death: February 29, 1864

Country of Birth: France

Political Ideas: Anarchism, Libertarianism, Equal Rights

Quotes Available: 12

Quotes by Joseph Dejacque

Whoever calls himself revolutionary and speaks of dictatorship is only an imbecile or a traitor.

It is not the product of their labors to which the workers have a right. It is the satisfaction of their needs, whatever the nature of those needs.

These revolutionaries, bare-necked politickers, have preserved with the imprint of the collar, the moral stain of servitude, the stiff neck of despotism.

Emancipation or non-emancipation of woman, emancipation or non-emancipation of man - what does it mean? Is it that by nature one has rights and the other has no rights?

Without doubt, conventional right, contract and law, even universally and directly exercised, is not natural right, or justice. It is a compromise between anarchy and authority, and everything that is not completely just is injustice.

A dictatorial committee composed of workers is certainly the thing one could find most inflated with self-importance and nullity and, consequently, the most anti-revolutionary.

Dictatorship, whether it is a hydra with a hundred heads or a hundred tails, whether they are autocratic or demagogic, can certainly do nothing for liberty: it can only perpetuate slavery, morally and physically.

What is a utopia? A dream unrealized, but not unrealizable.

Man, according to the diverse conditions in which he moves, is more or less worthy or unworthy. The more he has a sense of his liberty, the more he also has a feeling of his dignity; the more respect he has for himself, and also for his fellows.

To weaken authority and criticize its acts is not enough. A negation, in order to be absolute, needs to complete itself with an affirmation. That is why I affirm liberty, why I deduce its consequences.

The emancipation of woman is nothing else than the emancipation of humanity - both sexes.

All that which is not liberty is against liberty. Liberty is not a thing that can be allocated.

Non-Profit Anarchist Clothing Coop ★ Free Worldwide Shipping On ALL Orders!