Anarchism
Definition

Anarchism is defined as a political theory in which society should have no government, rejecting compulsory governance and supporting its elimination.

Origin

The origins of Anarchism go back to Britain, in the late 18th century. An important anarchist philosopher, William Godwin, believed that the “euthanasia of government” would be achieved through “individual moral reformation”. Godwin however, did not give the name ‘anarchism’ to the ideas he developed. Godwin advocated extreme individualism and proposed that cooperation in labor be eliminated.

It was only after Goldwin’s death that the term “anarchist” was coined by Pierre-Joseph Proudhon. He wrote a book, ‘What is Property?’, which incorporated a deeper meaning to the word ‘anarchism’, becoming not only a rejection of established authority but also a theory opposing ownership of land and property. He also saw anarchy as “a form of government or constitution in which public and private consciousness, formed through the development of science and law, is alone sufficient to maintain order and guarantee all liberties. In it, as a consequence, the institutions of the police, preventive and repressive methods, officialdom, taxation, etc., are reduced to a minimum. In it, more especially, the forms of monarchy and intensive centralization disappear, to be replaced by federal institutions and a pattern of life based on the commune”.

Schools of Thought

There are a number of schools of thought under Anarchism.  They are: Mutualism, Collectivist anarchism, Individualist Anarchism, Anarchist Communism, Anarcho- syndicalism, Anarcho- capitalism, Green anarchism and Anarchism without adjectives

Mutualism

What Mutualism is about is receprocity, free association, voluntary contract, federation, and credit and currency reform. A large number of mutualists believe that a market without government intervention will drive prices to labor-costs, eliminating profit, rent, and interest according to the labor theory of value. Firms would be forced to compete over workers just as workers compete over firms, raising wages.

Collectivist Anarchism

Collectivist Anarchists basicly oppose all private ownership of production, advocating that ownership has to be collectivized. However, the collectivization is such that workers will still be paid according to time worked, not receiving goods being distributed "according to need".

Individualist Anarchism

The main idea of Individualist anarchism consists of "traditions" that suggest that individual conscience and self-interest should not be controlled by any collective body or public authority. It also supports of property being held privately.

Anarchist Communism

Anarchist communists feel that a society should compose of a number of self-governing parties with collective use of the means of production and direct democracy as the political organizational form. In anarchist communism, individuals do not receive direct compensation for labour, but would instead have free access to the resources and surplus of the commune.

Anarcho- Syndicalism

Anarcho-syndicalists seek to abolish the wage system and private ownership of the means of production, which they believe lead to class divisions. Important concepts of syndicalism include workers' solidarity, direct action in the form of strikes etc., and workers' self-management.

Anarcho Capitalism

Anarcho-capitalism is a political philosophy "based on a belief in the freedom to own private property, a rejection of any form of governmental authority or intervention, and the upholding of the competitive free market as the main mechanism for social interaction."

Green Anarchism

Green anarchism is a school of thought which puts particular emphasis on the environment. Primitivist and anti-civilization green anarchists advocate a return to a pre-industrial and usually pre-agricultural society.

Anarchism without Objectives

Anarchism without adjectives emphasizes harmony between various anarchist factions and tries to unite them around their shared anti-authoritarian beliefs.

References

A.1 What is anarchism?. (n.d.). Retrieved Mar. 22, 2008, from http://www.geocities.com/capitolHill/1931/secA1.html.

Anarchism - Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved Mar. 22, 2008, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anarchism.

Anarchism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (2008, March 22). Retrieved Mar. 23, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchism .

Anarchism. (n.d.). Retrieved Mar. 23, 2008, from http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAanarchist.htm.

Justice , J. (n.d.). Defining Anarchism. Retrieved Mar. 22, 2008, from http://flag.blackened.net/liberty/defanar.html.

Index of anarchists and anarchism around the world. (n.d.). Retrieved Mar. 23, 2008, from http://flag.blackened.net/revolt/anarchism/index.html.

 

Drag me

A to Z government systems

A system where a Government is unnecessary and undesirable whichmeans that everything is based on voluntary cooperation by individuals and groups

A system where a Government is unnecessary and undesirable which means that everything is based on voluntary cooperation by individuals and groups
One person who has absolute rule over a country or a state and is usually hereditary or they claim as being given divine right with or without advisors.
A system combining Anarchism and capitalism
A system where there is no State or capitalism
A system combing Anarchism and savagery where savagery means acceptance comes easily.
A system where there are no hierarchies such as political or economic hierarchies.
A system where labour is emphasized and thus it has trade unions that replace the State
A system where there is more democratic decision-making
A government with only a few people who are thought to be best qualified.
A system where the people vote on the legislation and executive bills instead of electing leaders to do it for them.
A concentration of power in a leader who is not constitutionally responsible to the people
A one person government.
A system that is ruled by enlightened monarchs.
A system that is suitable for Islams as this system represents the political unity of the Muslims
A system that combines republic and capitalism together.
A system where the health of the community is the first priority
A system where there is no such thing as a private property because the goods are owned by the government and is available to anyone if needed
A system where many opinions are taken into consideration before making decisions
The system of Constitutional Monarchy has a Head of State that does not change as the governments change and a Government. Only the elected Officials can pass laws, the Head of State acts as an advisor to the Officials.
Leaders are elected by the people but the leaders have a limited power over the people and must go according to constitutional laws
A system where there are civic assemblies which represents the country's economic, social, industry and cultural aspects
A system where the making of laws must arise from the public if not the law cannot be approved.
A system where there is democratic representations in a country without the use of elections.
A democratic republic is a country where there is freedom of speech, election and press.
A system where two rulers have equal shared absolute power over the country
Government organization or group in with unlimited power
A true democratic system where the people elect their leaders
System where ruler with absolute power over the country.
A system similar to that of tyranny where all is controlled by one man.
A system ruled by dukes or duchesses
A system combining Anarchism but with saving the environment as their first priority.
A monarchy whose ruler is elected by the people.
A monarchy that is Arab-suited
A system that concentrates on the society's welfare as a whole and thus seeks patriotism.
A system used by the medieval age where warriors and nobility rule.
A system where the oldest are the leaders
A system ruled by grand dukes or grand duchesses
A system where the power lies with the loser level of government such as the name suggests, grassroots
A system for the Jews because non-Jews would not be granted full citizenship.
A monarchy where the kingship is passed to the sons when the father dies.
A system with the Pope as its leader.
A system where the people elect their leaders but the leaders have the freedom to do what they want.
A system combining democracy with a religion, Islam
A name that is given to many Muslim countries
Government by those who want power and personal gain.
A system where judges rule and rules by natural rights
A system where judges rule but based on the judges opinions
A system where the people elect the leaders to make decisions for them.
A system which emphasizes on liberty, freedom for the people.
A system where absolute power is given to magicians and wizards
A government where females rule.
Government by those with talent.
A system where military force is used to establish freedom and liberty.
A military-based government that has absolute rule over the country
A system combining oligarchy, democracy and monarchy.
A democratic system where there are no government parties.
A small group which makes up the government which is usually corrupted and do things for their own sake.
Government by the majority.
A system where the people are allowed to coose whatever government system they want.
A system similar to the parliamentary system except that the head of state does not have that much power.
A system where the parliament checks on the executive branch of the government
A system where voting is limited and where politicians take care of the governing of the country
A system where the people vote on the legislation and executive bills instead of electing leaders to do it for them.
Timocracy, Government controlled by the rich.
A state where government uses police by means to control the life of the citizens.
A monarchy where the monarch's title is linked to the people.
A system where the executive branch is independent of the legislative branch.
A monarchy where the monarch's title is prince
A system combining democracy and religion
A system where the government is elected by the people and the government has the responsibility in acting in people's interest.
A system where there is restricted democracy
A system where robots rule
One person who proclaims himself as king which would usually lead to hereditary monarchy.
A system similar to that of a presidential system except for the fact that the president and prime minister gets involved in everyday decision-making.
A system where there is only 1 government party running the country and no other party is allowed to enter for elections.
A system combining socialism and democracy
A system that emphasizes on socialism that also has aspects of free market in its economy.
A democratic system where workers are represented in government too.
A system where the rulers are those highly-skilled and qualified.
Maritime (relating to navigation or commerce on the sea) government
Government of a state by divine rule, usually by people who are guided by the deities
Government of a state by God.
A democratic system where the leader is elected but has absolute rule.
Absolute state which the people must follow orders from.
Tribalism existed during the time of primitive men. Thus, it has a sense of primitive in it. However, it also emphasizes on communism and equality.
A government ruled by an oppressive and severely unjust ruler.
A system with administrative divisions governed by a person who is governed by the viceroy.
A system combining democracy and parliamentary system which is somewhat similar to the United nations is adopting
 
Quiz Time

Who first described himself as an anarchist?




Anarchism means no government



Mutualism is not a school of thought of anarchism