"He who negates present society, and seeks social conditions based on the sharing of property, is a revolutionary whether he calls himself an anarchist or a communist"

Johann Most argues that the essence of revolutionary action lies not in adopting specific labels such as “anarchist” or “communist,” but rather in actively rejecting current social arrangements and seeking to reorganize society along the lines of shared property. By using the phrase “negates present society,” Most is emphasizing the vital need to challenge the prevailing social, economic, and political systems, which were marked in his time by stark inequalities and entrenched ownership of property by a privileged minority. Negation here is not passive opposition; it is a conscious, determined stand against the structural exploitation and hierarchies that define existing society.

The sharing of property stands at the center of Most’s vision for meaningful social change. For him, private property in its capitalist and state-sanctioned forms is the root of social injustice, as it enables the accumulation of wealth and power by a select few while subordinating the majority. Consequently, any movement or individual working toward the communal or equitable distribution of resources inherently challenges the foundations of contemporary society. Most does not narrowly define such individuals by the schools of thought they subscribe to, whether “anarchist,” “communist,” or otherwise. To him, what is truly revolutionary is the rejection of personal self-interest in favor of cooperation, mutual aid, and an economy organized for communal well-being.

By detaching the revolutionary spirit from rigid ideological categories, Most seeks unity among disparate groups and individuals who share the goal of property abolition and social emancipation. He recognizes the divisiveness that often comes from political labels and instead encourages a focus on substantive action aimed at transforming ownership and relationships in society. Through this perspective, revolution is less a matter of declared ideology than of practice and commitment to reshaping basic societal relations, especially concerning the collective use and stewardship of property. For Most, anyone who acts in this way, regardless of how they describe themselves, contributes to the broader revolutionary movement for justice and equality.