Emma Goldman was an anarchist. Not one of these "when there aren't any rules we can kill each other all we want to" really-makes-me-want-to-puke anarchists you see today, but an anarchist in the real sense of the word. (Generally, in case you were wondering, anyone who says 'oy! I'm an anarchist!' and then pisses in your water just to prove that they can has NO idea what they're talking about...)
Emma Goldman was very vocal about her political beliefs; she participated in tons of conventions and speeches, and has written a slew of books, articles, and essays. She believed that the state, with it's rules, is the enemy of the intelligent human. In fact, the state is the enemy of intelligence, for the state can only run when its members are devoid of any individuality; when their only purpose is to keep the workings of the state running smoothly. But in fact, the state's only purpose is to keep down the individual with its laws and regulations. These laws and regulations are what create criminals, (I also believe that criminals are just people suffering from thwarted and frustrated creativity and a sense of hopelessness about life) which then reinforces the 'need' for the state. I am seriously paraphrasing her essay "Anarchism: What It Really Stands For" which you can (and must) read at the following site:essays.
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