Anarchism is a political philosophy that advocates stateless societies often defined as self-governed voluntary institutions,[1][2][3][4] but that several authors have defined as more specific institutions based on non-hierarchical free associations.[5][6][7][8] Anarchism holds the state to be undesirable, unnecessary, or harmful.[9][10] While anti-statism is central,[11] anarchism entails opposing authority or hierarchical organisation in the conduct of human relations, including, but not limited to, the state system.[6][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]
As a subtle and anti-dogmatic philosophy, anarchism draws on many currents of thought and strategy. Anarchism does not offer a fixed body of doctrine from a single particular world view, instead fluxing and flowing as a philosophy.[19] There are many types and traditions of anarchism, not all of which are mutually exclusive.[20] Anarchist schools of thought can differ fundamentally, supporting anything from extreme individualism to complete collectivism.[10] Strains of anarchism have often been divided into the categories of social and individualist anarchism or similar dual classifications.[21][22] Anarchism is usually considered a radical left-wing ideology,[23][24] and much of anarchist economics and anarchist legal philosophy reflect anti-authoritarian interpretations of communism, collectivism, syndicalism, mutualism, or participatory economics.[25]
The central tendency of anarchism as a social movement has been represented by anarcho-communism and anarcho-syndicalism, with individualist anarchism being primarily a literary phenomenon[26] which nevertheless did have an impact on the bigger currents[27] and individualists have also participated in large anarchist organisations.[28][29] Many anarchists oppose all forms of aggression, supporting self-defense or non-violence (anarcho-pacifism),[30][31] while others have supported the use of some coercive measures, including violent revolution and propaganda of the deed as means to achieve anarchist ends.[32]
Our discussions on the Romanticism Vs. Enlightenment thread led me to realize that I actually seemed to share quite a few sensibilities and wants with Anarchists, and I'd like to explore and understand Anarchist notions in more depth.
I suppose the main preoccupation in everyone's minds regarding anarchy is how do we avert Chaos, i.e. violent groups threatening the rest into submission, violent individuals taking resources by force, etc. That basically results in new hierarchies of oppressiveness where the terror, arbitrariness and unpredictability are presumably more overt and more brutal than those of the State. I leave an open invitations to those more familiar with the topic to enlighten us as to the solutions that have been devised over the years.
I'm also interested in the current "state-of-the-art" of the movement. Where are the ideas, where are the practices?
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
As a subtle and anti-dogmatic philosophy, anarchism draws on many currents of thought and strategy. Anarchism does not offer a fixed body of doctrine from a single particular world view, instead fluxing and flowing as a philosophy.[19] There are many types and traditions of anarchism, not all of which are mutually exclusive.[20] Anarchist schools of thought can differ fundamentally, supporting anything from extreme individualism to complete collectivism.[10] Strains of anarchism have often been divided into the categories of social and individualist anarchism or similar dual classifications.[21][22] Anarchism is usually considered a radical left-wing ideology,[23][24] and much of anarchist economics and anarchist legal philosophy reflect anti-authoritarian interpretations of communism, collectivism, syndicalism, mutualism, or participatory economics.[25]
The central tendency of anarchism as a social movement has been represented by anarcho-communism and anarcho-syndicalism, with individualist anarchism being primarily a literary phenomenon[26] which nevertheless did have an impact on the bigger currents[27] and individualists have also participated in large anarchist organisations.[28][29] Many anarchists oppose all forms of aggression, supporting self-defense or non-violence (anarcho-pacifism),[30][31] while others have supported the use of some coercive measures, including violent revolution and propaganda of the deed as means to achieve anarchist ends.[32]
Our discussions on the Romanticism Vs. Enlightenment thread led me to realize that I actually seemed to share quite a few sensibilities and wants with Anarchists, and I'd like to explore and understand Anarchist notions in more depth.
I suppose the main preoccupation in everyone's minds regarding anarchy is how do we avert Chaos, i.e. violent groups threatening the rest into submission, violent individuals taking resources by force, etc. That basically results in new hierarchies of oppressiveness where the terror, arbitrariness and unpredictability are presumably more overt and more brutal than those of the State. I leave an open invitations to those more familiar with the topic to enlighten us as to the solutions that have been devised over the years.
I'm also interested in the current "state-of-the-art" of the movement. Where are the ideas, where are the practices?
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.