What does anarchism mean?
Anarchism is a political philosophy and social movement that holds that the state and other forms of coercive, hierarchical authority are unjustifiable and should be abolished. In their place, anarchists propose societies organized through voluntary cooperation, mutual aid, and free association among individuals and communities. Emerging as a distinct doctrine in nineteenth-century Europe, with thinkers such as Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, Mikhail Bakunin, and Peter Kropotkin, anarchism developed into several schools, including anarcho-communism, anarcho-syndicalism, and individualist anarchism. Although popular imagination often equates anarchism with disorder or violence, the philosophy generally envisions ordered, cooperative life without rulers. In modern usage the term appears in political science, history, and activism, and it retains a radical connotation: to describe someone as an anarchist implies opposition to established governmental authority. Understanding anarchism requires distinguishing it from mere lawlessness, since it is a reasoned critique of power rather than an endorsement of chaos.
nounA political philosophy and movement that rejects all forms of involuntary, coercive hierarchy — especially the state — and advocates for a society organized through voluntary cooperation and free association. It encompasses a range of schools of thought, from anarcho-communism to individualist anarchism.
- The political philosophy holding that the state and other coercive hierarchies are undesirable and should be replaced by voluntary, self-governing associations.
- The historical social and political movement inspired by this philosophy, active particularly from the mid-19th century onward.
"The pamphlet argued that anarchism offered a coherent alternative to both capitalism and centralized state socialism."
"Emma Goldman became one of the most influential advocates of anarchism in early twentieth-century America."
"Scholars distinguish between collectivist strands of anarchism, such as anarcho-syndicalism, and more individualist varieties."
Rarely pluralized in ordinary usage; the plural may appear in academic contexts referring to distinct schools or traditions of anarchist thought.
"Historians sometimes speak of competing anarchisms rather than a single unified doctrine."
Anarchism's most famous symbol isn't a bomb — it's the circle-A, and its motto 'No gods, no masters' has echoed through over a century of social movements worldwide.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of anarchism
Anarchism derives from the Greek 'anarkhos', meaning 'without a ruler', formed from 'an-' (without) and 'arkhos' (ruler or leader). The related term 'anarchy' entered English in the sixteenth century, while 'anarchism' itself was coined later, in the seventeenth century, though it gained its modern political sense only in the nineteenth century alongside the rise of the movement it names. Cognates appear across European languages, such as French 'anarchisme' and German 'Anarchismus', reflecting the word's spread during the era of revolutionary politics.
Related word forms
How anarchism is actually used
Anarchism is a formal, intellectual term used in political science, history, and journalism. It carries strong connotations and is often misunderstood by the general public as synonymous with violent chaos, though adherents emphasize voluntary order. The word should not be conflated with 'anarchy' (the condition itself) in careful writing.
Easily confused with anarchism
Anarchy refers to the condition or state of society without government or rulers, while anarchism is the political philosophy advocating for such a society.
Chaos denotes complete disorder and confusion, whereas anarchism is a structured ideology proposing voluntary organization without coercive authority.