A Russian revolutionary of noble family, Bakunin took part in uprisings across Europe, spent years in prison and was exiled to Siberia, from where he escaped. In the First International, he broke with Marx over the idea of using the state to reach socialism. He became the main reference of collectivist anarchism.
Core ideas
The state, even if run by workers, always creates a new oppressive elite
Liberty without equality is privilege; equality without liberty is slavery
Revolution must come from the organized masses, from the bottom up
The tradition: Anarchist
Anarchism defends the abolition of the state and of all imposed authority, replacing them with free associations among equals. Bakunin is its great revolutionary and collectivist name.
