What is anarchism? In the simplest terms, anarchism is a belief that all forms of hierarchy and domination should be abolished in favor of a society based on voluntary cooperation without the coercion or oppression of any authority figure. The concept of anarchism originated in the late 19th century, and has since grown to become one of the most popular and influential political philosophies around the world.
Anarchism and Liberty
Anarchists view liberty as the foundation of their philosophy. Unlike some other ideologies and philosophies, anarchists do not believe in a single ideal of freedom, but instead believe that every individual is free to pursue their own conception of liberty. Modifying the words of anarchist philosopher Emma Goldman, true liberty is “the right to do what one wills, so long as it does not harm others.”
Types of Anarchism
Anarchism comes in various forms and philosophies, and can be divided into two distinct categories: social anarchism, which focuses on cooperative governance, and market or individualist anarchism, which emphasizes individual autonomy.
Social Anarchism
Social anarchism promotes social cooperation and opposes all forms of hierarchical domination—that is, it seeks to eliminate all forms of political, economic, and cultural hierarchy and oppression. This includes eliminating traditional notions of government, capitalism, and property rights.
The most popular forms of social anarchism are anarcho-communism, anarcho-syndicalism, and mutualism. Anarcho-communism stresses the notion that society should come together to ensure the equitable distribution of resources and the elimination of private property, while anarcho-syndicalism calls for the creation of a union-based economic infrastructure.
Market Anarchism
In contrast to social anarchism, market anarchism promotes the idea of individual autonomy and the elimination of all types of governmental oppression. This brand of anarchism places emphasis on laissez-faire economics and strong property rights, with many market anarchists rejecting the notion of a regulated market. Instead, they argue that the market should be free to develop naturally by the actions of free individuals, and that voluntary exchanges should be the primary means of economic exchange.
The most popular forms of market anarchism are agorism, anarcho-capitalism, and libertarianism. Agorism is an economic philosophy that emphasizes an open and unregulated market, while anarcho-capitalism calls for the abolition of all state-backed financial systems. Libertarianism, on the other hand, emphasizes individual liberty and autonomy, and calls for the implementation of a framework of personal and economic liberty.
Anarchism and Society
Anarchism is often misunderstood and seen as a radical and violent political philosophy, but in reality, it is much more nuanced. Anarchists argue that a truly free and equal society cannot exist without the total elimination of hierarchy, domination, and coercion, but they also recognize that this cannot be achieved through revolutionary violence. Instead, they advocate for a gradual approach to social change, one which involves the peaceful and voluntary actions of free individuals.
Anarchism advocates for a radical decentralized approach to social, economic and environmental justice. This means that all forms of governmental control, whether it be through laws, regulations or institutions, should be abolished in favor of a more decentralized and consensus-based way of organizing. From this, it follows that all forms of oppression and privilege should be challenged, and that all individuals should have equal rights, access and opportunity.
Anarchists argue that a truly free and equal society can only be achieved through voluntary cooperation, mutual aid, and direct action. To that end, anarchists have long been engaged in a variety of activities to challenge social norms and power structures. These range from political protests to labor organizing and squatting, as well as community building and direct action.
Anarchy in Practice
One of the most famous examples of an anarchist experiment in practice is the Rojava Revolution in Northern Syria. This socialist revolution, led by a coalition of anarchists and socialists, emphasizes gender emancipation, democratic confederalism, participatory conflict resolution, and environmental sustainability.
Another example is the Occupy Wall Street Movement of 2011. This movement began in New York City as a protest against inequality and corporate greed, but soon spread to cities around the world, with activists occupying public spaces to bring attention to a multitude of social issues.
Finally, the Paris Commune of 1871 is seen by many as a model of how anarchist principles can be put into practice. The Paris Commune was an example of decentralized direct democracy in action, as its citizens typically organized their own affairs away from centralized control. All production facilities were taken over by the workers and organised into cooperatives, and a multicultural and non-hierarchical society was established.
The Future of Anarchism
Anarchism is one of the most influential and important political philosophies in the modern age. Though it may be seen by some as a radical and dangerous ideology, anarchists argue that any attempt to truly change and liberate society must start with a critical examination of existing structures and institutions.
Today, anarchists around the world are engaging in a variety of activities to bring about change and challenge oppressive systems like capitalism and patriarchy. It remains to be seen if anarchism will ever become a viable political system, but in the meantime, this intersectional and revolutionary philosophy will continue to push for a freer and more equitable society.
