Anarchism
From Conservapedia
Anarchism is a political philosophy advocating the removal of the State and the establishment of a society without government. The term is of Greek origin (coming from the word "αναρχία" (anarchia), meaning "without rulers".) Anarchists oppose the use of prisons. Anarchists tend to oppose any form of government, but can be found expressing support for direct democracy, freedom of speech, de-centralism, individualism and anti-authoritarianism.
Anarchists generally oppose what Noam Chomsky has termed "illegitimate authority": stopping a child from running into a busy street would be an act of legitimate authority. The government and other coercive entities are considered illegitimate.
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Traditional anarchism
Traditional anarchism is similar to communism, though unlike in communism, traditional anarchists do not favor socialism as a means to their end, as it requires a state. Traditional anarchists advocate the formation of collectives. Traditional anarchism rejects all authority, both business and government.
Branches of Anarchism
Anarcho-Syndicalism
Anarcho syndicalism is the most influential branch or anarchism world wide, partly due to the syndicalists' involvement in the Spanish Civil War. Anarcho-syndicalism is founded in workers' rights and trade unionism. In a syndicalist society workers would be self managing and a union of all workers would take the place of government. Syndicalism is not firmly opposed to currency or trade of capitalism like most other branches.
Individualist anarchism
Unlike many forms traditional anarchism, does not advocate collectivism in a since. Many individualist Anarchists often argue that both collective and individual freedom can go hand in hand. Individualist anarchists differ on the status of private property and other rights.
Anarcho-capitalism
Anarcho-capitalism is a form of individualist anarchism which favors private police agencies, security companies, and arbitration instead of government. Anarcho-capitalism is the most extreme form of libertarianism.
Traditional anarchists argue that anarcho-capitalists are not true anarchists. This is due to their support of the authority of business and private property. Traditional anarchists argue that one cannot live without wages under a capitalist system.
Anarcho-capitalists argue that all support of business is voluntary, since one can choose between companies under a capitalist system. Anarcho-capitalists reject collectives, since they focus on the community rather than the individual, which may lead to a loss of individual freedom.
Christian Anarchism
Christianity has been influential on some anarchists. Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy is seen as an important figure in this trend. Tolstoy's Christian anarchism was outlined in his book "The Kingdom of God is Within You". Like all Christian anarchists, he believed that the only authority is God, and that therefore government is illegitimate. To support their views, they will often quote the following passage by Paul: "there is no authority except that which God has established."
Anarchism in practice
Many anarchists believe in a peaceful means of achieving an anarchist system. Some of these means include not voting, secession from government, and peaceful protesting.
Other anarchists support violence as a means of achieving anarchism.
During the Spanish Civil War there occurred in the Republican areas a "Spanish Revolution". It involved the taking over of workplaces by those who worked in them. Industry began to be organized non-hierarchically. The anarchist union the CNT did this with considerable success.
Other uses
In addition to being a philosophy, anarchy can also be a description of a system in which there is no higher governmental authority. The world level of political interaction is considered anarchical, because there is no power over the sovereign states (i.e. there is no world government).
See Also
Sources
- An Anarchist FAQ - From a traditional anarchist point of view.
- Ludwig von Mises Institute - Promotes Austrian economics as well as anarcho-capitalism.
- What Liberals Say - Category: Anarchy, Accuracy In Media
