The anarchist author discusses the basic thesis of anarchism that the management of society and order do not necessitate a separate power. He quotes examples from various aspects of social life and history to illustrate that both in revolutionary times and in the organisation of everyday life, elements of (anarchist) self-organisation are present which have proved to be more successful that other principles of organisation.

Lefebvre too, argues for self-management and the self-rule of the "civil society" against the limited democracy of parliamentarism.

Löwy characterises Lefebvre as a romantic. He proves the correctness of this idea through his opposition to modernisation and his romantic approach to revolution.