72 | Gerrard Winstanley and the English Revolution

What's Left of Philosophy

In this episode we talk English Revolutionary politics in the mid-17th century, and specifically the philosophy and practice of legendary 'Digger' Gerrard Winstanley. We discuss his radically egalitarian conviction that the execution of Charles I was not sufficient, and that all the 'kingly power' of landlords and owners must be abolished to complete the Revolution. We draw a stark contrast between Winstanley and his contemporary, Thomas Hobbes, while distinguishing his conception of the 'commons' and its use from that of John Locke. Did the then-existing forces of production need to be developed for modern communism to be possible? Probably yes, but look: this dude was raw.

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References:

Gerrard Winstanley, The Law of Freedom and Other Writings, Penguin (Baltimore: 1973)

Christopher Hill, The World Turned Upside Down: Radical Ideas During the English Revolution (Penguin, 1975)