Might Is Right

Might Is Right or The Survival of the Fittest is a book by pseudonymous author Ragnar Redbeard, generally believed to be a pen name of Arthur Desmond. It was first published in 1896.Gilmore, Peter H.; Introduction, Might is Right: The Authoritative Edition, Underworld Amusements, April 23, 2019, 406 pages. .

Content The author sums up his work as follows:

In Might Is Right, Redbeard rejects conventional ideas such as advocacy of human and natural rights and argues that only strength or physical might can establish moral right (à la Callicles or Thrasymachus). The book also attacks Christianity and democracy. Friedrich Nietzsche's theories of master–slave morality and herd mentality served as inspirations for Redbeard's book which was written contemporaneously.

James J. Martin, the individualist anarchist historian, called it "surely one of the most incendiary works ever to be published anywhere."archived from This refers to the book's assertions that weakness should be regarded with hatred and the strong and forceful presence of social Darwinism. Other parts of the book deal with the topics of race and male–female relations. The book claims that the woman and the family as a whole are the property of the man, and it proclaims that the Anglo-Saxon race is innately superior to all other races.S. E. Parker, Introduction to Might is Right The book also contains anti-Christian and anti-Semitic statements.

Authorship Anarchist S. E. Parker writes in his introduction to the text: "The most likely candidate is a man named Arthur Desmond who was red-bearded, red-haired and whose poetry was very similar to that written by Redbeard." The Bulletin, a journal associated with the Australian labour movement, reported in July 1900 that Desmond (a former contributor to the publication) was Ragnar Redbeard.

Several observers have proposed Jack London may have written or contributed to Might is Right, a claim made by both Anton LaVey and white supremacist publisher Katja Lane (wife of convicted racketeer David Lane). Lane's assessment was based on her judgment on London's writing style and punctuation."Foreward" (sic) by Anton LaVey, to Might is Right, pub. Shane Bugbee (2003) This idea was rejected by writer Rodger Jacobs, a biographer of London, since London was only 20 years old at the time, was busy with college, and had not yet developed a mature writing style, nor had he read anything by Nietzsche.

Response Leo Tolstoy, whom Might Is Right described as "the ablest modern expounder of primitive Christliness", responded in his 1897 essay What Is Art?:

Parker wrote: "Might Is Right is a work flawed by major contradictions." In particular, he criticized the inconsistency of the book's central dogma of individualism with its open sexism and racism (both requiring a membership in a collective). However, he concluded that "it is sustained by a crude vigor that at its most coherent can help to clear away not a few of the religious, moral and political superstitions bequeathed to us by our ancestors."

Influence Portions of Might Is Right comprise the vast majority of The Book of Satan in Anton LaVey's 1969 The Satanic Bible, the founding document of the Church of Satan. Though it is no longer included in current printings of The Satanic Bible, early printings included an extensive dedication to various people whom LaVey recognized as influences, including Ragnar Redbeard.LaVey, Anton Szandor (1969). The Satanic Bible. New York: Avon Books. .

During the early 20th century, Might Is Right had an appreciable impact on the rhetoric of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). The slogan "Might is Right" appeared in the union's official organ, the Industrial Worker, from 1909 through the 1930s, often asserting that "MIGHT has always ruled the world" and that organized workers would eventually "have the MIGHT and be RIGHT." The book's verses and philosophy were featured in news reports, editorials, and cartoons, while its merits were debated in Wobbly-affiliated journals like Direct Action and Industrial Pioneer. Some contemporary observers noted that the militant wing of the union effectively used the volume as a "bible" for class struggle.

Santino William Legan, the perpetrator of the 2019 Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting in Gilroy, California, mentioned Might is Right in an Instagram post. NBC journalists have claimed it is a 'staple' of white supremacist groups online.

Editions Year Publisher Notes 1896 Auditorium Press 1896 A. Uing Publisher 1903 A. Mueller Publishers 1910 W.J. Robbins Co. Ltd 1921 Ross’ Book Service 1927 Dil Pickle Press 1962 Unknown publisher 18-page abridged edition. 1969 Same unknown publisher Expanded 32-page edition. 1972 Revisionist Press Reprint of 1927 Dil Pickle edition. 1984 Loompanics Unlimited 1996 M. H. P & Co. Ltd. Centennial edition, with intro by Anton LaVey. 1999 14 Word Press St. Maries, Idaho. 2003 Bugbee Books 2005 Revolva Russian edition with commentary. , released online 2005 29 Books Reprint of 1927 Dil Pickle edition. 2005 Dil Pickle Press Edited and annotated by Darrell W. Conder. 2008 Zem Books 2009 Edition Esoterick German hardcover edition. 2012 Kustantamo Vuohi Julkaisut Finnish edition. 2014 Camion Noir French edition. 2014 Aristeus Books, ed. Dragan Nikolic Second ed., eng. edn. 2018 Zem Books Hardcover ed. 2018 Noir Anthologie Spanish edition. 2019 Underworld Amusements The Authoritative Edition, with intro by Peter H. Gilmore. 2020 Pentabol N. E. Spanish Extended Edition. 2021 Underworld Amusements 1927 Facsimile Edition.

Might Is Right

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