"From each according to his faculties; to each according to his needs"

"From each according to his faculties; to each according to his needs", articulated by Mikhail Bakunin, encapsulates a vision of social justice rooted in mutual aid and the dismantling of hierarchical structures. Bakunin, as a leading anarchist thinker of the 19th century, emphasized not only the importance of equality but also the diversity of human capacities. In his view, a just society thrives when each individual contributes based on personal abilities, whether physical, intellectual, or creative, rather than according to arbitrary measures imposed by external authority or economic compulsion.

The phrase "according to his faculties" suggests a social arrangement where people are free to express and develop their talents without coercion or the pursuit of profit as the primary motivator. This freedom enables genuine contributions to the common good, derived from passion and capacity rather than mere survival. Bakunin rejects the exploitation inherent in capitalist labor, where one's value is often tied solely to productivity or profitability, arguing instead for a dynamic where individuals find fulfillment and purpose in offering what they do best.

Conversely, providing "to each according to his needs" stands as a moral imperative against deprivation and inequality. Needs are not only material, such as food, shelter, and healthcare, but also encompass education, leisure, and opportunities for self-actualization. Such an arrangement requires the abolition of privilege and the creation of communal mechanisms that ensure no one is left lacking due to circumstances beyond their control. Rights are not abstract but realized through collective effort and solidarity, upholding human dignity at every level.

Bakunin’s formulation defies the logic of accumulation and scarcity, envisioning abundance nurtured by cooperation rather than competition. In such a society, people do not fear want or humiliation; instead, everyone is both a giver and receiver in an organic, self-sustaining community. The maxim insists that social freedom and equality are inseparable, and true liberation springs from each human being’s unique contribution and needs, harmonized through collective responsibility and shared humanity.