Anarchism is a political theory, which aims to create a society within which individuals freely co-operate together as equals. Anarchism opposes all forms of hierarchical control, including state or capitalist. Anarchism, consequently, is a political theory that aims to create a society, which is without political, economic or social hierarchies. It sees these as being harmful to the individual and their individuality and also unnecessary. Anarchists retain that anarchy, the absence of rulers, is a feasible form of social system and so work for the maximization of individual liberty and social equality. They see the goals of liberty and equality as mutually self-supporting.
On the other hand, anarchism and anarchy are undeniably the most tainted ideas in political theory. The words are commonly used to mean chaos or without order, and so, by implication, anarchists desire social chaos and a return to the laws of the jungle. This process of distortion is not without historical parallel.
English: Lawrence Jarach and John Zerzan in discus...
Anarchism
Luigi GalleaniFor instance, in countries, which have considered government by one person (a monarchy) necessary, the words republic or democracy have been used precisely like anarchy, to imply disorder and confusion. Those with an interest in preserving the states well being will obviously wish to imply that variance to the current system cannot work in practice, and that a new form of society will only lead to disarray. Anarchists want to change this consistent idea of anarchy, so people will see that government and other hierarchical social relationships are both harmful and unnecessary.
Anarchy, the root word of anarchism, means more than just no government it means opposition to all forms of authoritarian organization and hierarchy. Therefore any attempt to aver that anarchy is purely anti-state is a falsification of the word and the way it has been used by the anarchist movement. Anarchy...