Well written, insightful, intelligent and deeply analytical, Wolff's "In Defense of Anarchism" is fascinating insomuch as it deconstructs our idea of the state and the state's authority, as well as giving us a good primer political philosophy in general. It also gives us a good sense of the idea of anarchism and participatory democracy. As someone who situates herself somewhere between a participatory democrat (a less participatory model than Wolff's, however), and a socialist, there is much for me to both agree and disagree with in this book. It is very good in helping you to clarify what you think about the state. ( )

A neat little book, though in the Preface to the 1998 edition Wolff feels a need to disavow a libertarian interpretation of it, and stress that he's a leftist. Since his thesis is that governmental authority is morally untenable, it is obviously futile to disavow libertarian implications. Trying only makes Wolff look silly. (Of course, it does ensure that his colleagues in academia won't kick him out of the sandbox.) Anyway, you can skip that preface and simply read the rest of this short and convincingly argued little volume. It is, as people say these days, "destined to become a classic." No, really.
Rating with the 1998 Preface: 4 stars. Rating omitting the 1998 Preface... ( )