What Is Anarchy and Anarchism? |
What is anarchism? You ask me.... Anarchism is a political theory which aims to create anarchy. In other words, anarchism is a political theory which aims to create a society within which individuals freely co-operate together as equals. As such anarchism opposes all forms of hierarchical control - be that control by the state or a capitalist - as harmful to the individual and their individuality as well as unnecessary. What does "Anarchy" mean? The word "anarchy" is from the Greek, prefix an, meaning "not," "the want of," "the absence of," or "the lack of", plus archos, meaning "a ruler," "director", "chief," "person in charge," or "authority." Or, as Peter Kropotkin put it, Anarchy comes from the Greek words meaning "contrary to authority." Ideas Behind Anarchism: * Non-heirachial: Rather than being purely anti-government or anti-state, anarchism is primarily a movement against hierarchy. Why? Because hierarchy is the organisational structure that embodies authority. Since the state is the "highest" form of hierarchy, anarchists are, by definition, anti-state; but this is not a sufficient definition of anarchism. This means that real anarchists are opposed to all forms of hierarchical organisation, not only the state. * Equality an mutual respect: This is a fairly simple concept, for how can society function harmoniously is there is not a point of mutual respect and eqaulity amongst the subjects. It is an anarchist belief that everyone has the same rights and responsabilities, and is treated equally. * Rejection of Authority and life without rule: Anarchism can be understood as the generic social and political idea that expresses negation of all power, sovereignty, domination, and hierarchical division, and a will to their dissolution. . . Anarchism is therefore more than anti-statism . . . even if government (the state) . . . is, appropriately, the central focus of anarchist critique. This is an very basic representation of anarchism. More will be added to it as soon as i get some more time, any questions are welcome and i may be creating an FAQ Jordan. |
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