Introduction to Philosophy/Anarchism

What is Anarchism?

Anarchism is defined as the abolition of the state, and the end of the state. Anarchist society is a way to organize relations among people. It refers to a relationship among humans based on the ideal liberalism: often formulated as "my freedom ends when your freedom begins". Anarchism incorporates the doctrine of liberalism and left-idealism into one ideology, where everyone is equal.

Anarchist Schools of Thought

Anarcho-syndicalism

Anarcho-syndicalism is based around the concept of the trade union as a catalyst for revolution. Anarchist Catalonia during the Spanish Civil War was split between syndicalism and anarcho-communism. Key principles of syndicalism include worker's solidarity, direct action, and worker's self-management, and famous syndicalist thinkers include Rudolf Rocker and Noam Chomsky.

Mutualism

Mutualism was formulated by Pierre-Joseph Proudhon in his 1840 treatise, "What is Property?". Often described as "free market anti-capitalism", mutualism is based on ideas of a society where workers freely exchange their means of production. Famous mutualist thinkers include Pierre-Joseph Proudhon and Kevin Carson.

Post-left anarchy

Post-left anarchy is based on the concept that anarchism transcends left-right politics, and is closely associated with post-structuralist, primitivist and insurrectionary ideas. Famous post-left thinkers include Hakim Bey and Wolfi Landstreicher.

Anarcho-capitalism

Not considered a part of the anarchist tradition, anarcho-capitalists believe that the State can be overthrown and replaced with a free market capitalist system where all functions of the State including policing, security, social welfare and so on can be provided through free market exchange.