Anarchism
Ideology · 19th century onward, Europe and Russia · Politics, stage 2: Map the ideologies
Anarchism holds that the state is not merely often abusive but unjustifiable in principle, because no argument has established that some people have a standing right to command others by force. Its advocates argue that the tasks states perform - defence, dispute resolution, infrastructure, mutual aid - can be handled by voluntary associations federated from the bottom up, and that hierarchy tends to reproduce itself whoever holds the offices. The tradition divides between socialist and communist anarchists such as Kropotkin, who reject private ownership of productive property along with the state, and individualist and market anarchists who reject the state while keeping property and exchange. Critics argue that stateless societies could not enforce agreements, defend themselves, or provide public goods at scale, and that power would simply re-concentrate around whoever proved strongest.
What it claims
- No state has established a right to rule that would justify the coercion it exercises.
- Cooperation can be organised through voluntary federation rather than command.
- Hierarchical institutions tend to serve those who run them, whatever their stated purpose.
Key ideas
People
Sources
- Anarchism Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
- Political Obligation Stanford Encyclopedia of PhilosophySets out philosophical anarchism, the weaker claim that there is no general duty to obey.
- Anarchism Wikipedia
