29th November 2005, 07:42 PM
An ex-anarchist once explained to me (a non-anarchist) that the perfect example of anarchy 'at work' in the modern world was international postage.
When you buy a stamp the money only goes to your own national post office, yet other countries' post offices agree to deliver mail to addresses there. Likewise our own post office delivers mail posted in far-off lands. All without formal international agreements or any money changing hands.
Not sure how 'anarchist' that is, or how much longer that will remain true with impending privatisation, but there we are.
When you buy a stamp the money only goes to your own national post office, yet other countries' post offices agree to deliver mail to addresses there. Likewise our own post office delivers mail posted in far-off lands. All without formal international agreements or any money changing hands.
Not sure how 'anarchist' that is, or how much longer that will remain true with impending privatisation, but there we are.