Anarchism

Anarchism can refer to any of a range of political views, characterized by a rejection of authority in various forms.

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The term means "being without rule", and is derived from the Latin word anarchia, from Aristotle's Greek term ' (?? an- "without" plus ????? arkhia meaning "command" or "rule"). Based on this etymology, anarchists are typically described as rejecting all forms of rule or domination, including all instances of enforced or representational government and any concept of the State, and instead favouring social relations that are voluntarily and freely established among individuals. While not all anarchists accept this definition, this is the sense in which the term is commonly used in everyday speech.

Related Topics:
Latin - Anarchia - Aristotle - State

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Anarchism comprises various political philosophies espoused by political organisations and social movements that advocate the elimination of the State, and what are believed to be authoritarian social and economic relationships. In the place of centralized political and economic structures these movements favor social relations based upon what are seen as voluntary relationships. These philosophies use anarchy to mean a society based on voluntary interaction of free individuals. Philosophical anarchist thought does not advocate chaos or anomie — it refers to "anarchy" as a manner of human relations that is intentionally established and maintained.

Related Topics:
Political philosophies - Political organisations - Social movement - State - Anarchy - Society - Voluntary - Free - Chaos - Anomie

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There is considerable variation among the anarchist political philosophies. Opinions differ in various areas, such as whether violence should be employed to foster anarchism, what type of economic system should exist, whether social hierarchy or unequal wealth distribution is opposed, questions on the environment and industrialism, and anarchists role in various movements. Also, throughout history various anarchists of particular schools of anarchism have claimed that other particular schools, to which they do not subscribe, are not forms of anarchism.

Related Topics:
Violence - Social hierarchy

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