AO1 Anarchists argue that human nature is plastic and moulded by society. AO2 Human nature is plastic, and the state and society have corrupted and tainted the nature of the ruled and rulers (Kropotkin), and this can explain human nature as it appears today. [IJ] Consequently there is deep agreement in their opposition to the state in any form, which forms their key criticism of all current political systems. AO1 Anarchists hold an essentially positive view of human nature. AO2 Anarchists' common belief in the universal potential for development underpins their belief in spontaneous harmony and natural order, and this leads to the conclusion that the machinery of the state is not needed. [IJ] There is a unifying belief that a future peaceful, stateless society is not only desirable but possible. AO1 Anarchists believe in the universal potential for development of humanity and they believe that humans have universal qualities. AO2 Anarchists believe that humans have universal qualities and the rejection of the existing state and societal structures will lead to a clear picture of what the universal qualities of human nature are (Goldman). [IJ] This shows clearly that anarchists can agree on an optimistic/utopian view of human nature that humans are not perfect but are perfectible.

AO1 Collective anarchists believe that humans are altruistic and cooperative (Kropotkin). AO2 Collective anarchists believe that humans are altruistic and cooperative (Kropotkin) in contrast to individualist anarchists, who see humans as self-interested and competitive (Stirner), and the clash over whether humans are cooperative or competitive is the key division over human nature. [IJ] Consequently this level of disagreement is the key debate that splits the two strands in their ideas about the state, economy and society. AO1 Individualist anarchists see humans as self-interested and competitive (Stirner). AO2 Collectivist anarchists believe that our altruism is tainted by the competitive, capitalist state (Kropotkin), while individualist anarchists see the power of state and society as unjustifiable as it limits autonomy (Stirner), which emerges from the core disagreement over the universal qualities of human nature. [IJ] Their fundamental divide on human nature defines their differing analyses of existing states and societies. AO1 Anarchists disagree over how human universal qualities should be nurtured. AO2 For collectivists, common ownership (Kropotkin) or mutualism (Proudhon) will nurture humanity's altruism and cooperative qualities, while for anarcho-capitalists the unfettered free market, and for egoists the Union of Egos (Stirner), will allow autonomy to develop, and this emerges from the core disagreement over the universal qualities of human nature. [IJ] This key division over human nature defines their differing views of the future, stateless, peaceful society.