which holds the state
to be undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful, or alternatively as opposing authority
in the conduct of human relations. Proponents of anarchism (known as "anarchists") advocate stateless societies
based on non-hierarchical
voluntary association
s.
There are many types and traditions of anarchism, not all of which are mutually exclusive. Anarchist schools of thought
can differ fundamentally, supporting anything from extreme individualism to complete collectivism.
"a political theory holding all forms of governmental authority to be unnecessary and undesirable and advocating a society based on voluntary cooperation and free association of individuals and groups"
"The theory or doctrine that all forms of government are oppressive and undesirable and should be abolished"
"doctrine rejecting government: an ideology that rejects the need for a system of government in society and proposes its abolition"
[From Greek anarchos: lacking a leader.] "Anarchism is inspired by the moral-political ideal of a society untouched by relations of power and domination among human beings. This ideal has most often expressed itself in a doctrine advocating the total absence of government as the only firm basis for individual liberty and societal progress..."
The Oxford Dictionary of Sociology, 2nd edition (edited by Gordon Marshall):