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Outline of anarchism

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Anarchism is a broad category of active ethical, social and political philosophies encompassing theories and attitudes which reject compulsory government[1] (the state) and support its elimination,[2][3] often due to a wider rejection of involuntary or permanent authority.[4] Anarchism is defined by The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics as "a cluster of doctrines and attitudes centered on the belief that government is both harmful and unnecessary."[5]

The following outline is provided as an overview of and introduction to anarchism.

Essence of anarchism

Main article: Anarchism

Anarchism promotes a rejection of philosophies, ideologies, institutions, and representatives of authority in support of liberty. It asserts that cooperation is preferable to competition in promoting social harmony; that cooperation is only authentic when it is voluntary; and that societies are capable of spontaneous order, rendering government authority unnecessary at best, or harmful at worst. In most cases, anarchism…

Supports:
Rejects:

Manifestos and expositions of anarchist viewpoints

Template:Details3 Anarchism is a living project which has continued to evolve as social conditions have changed. The following are examples of anarchist manifestos and essays produced during various time periods, each expressing different interpretations and proposals for anarchist philosophy.

(1840–1914)

(1914–1984)

(1985–present)

Schools of anarchist thought

The bisected flags/stars which symbolize various anarchist schools of thought.
Main article: Anarchist schools of thought

Anarchism has many heterogeneous and diverse schools of thought, united by a common opposition to compulsory rule. Anarchist schools are characterized by "the belief that government is both harmful and unnecessary", but may differ fundamentally, supporting anything from extreme individualism to complete collectivism.[5] Regardless, some are viewed as being compatible, and it is not uncommon for individuals to subscribe to more than one.

Schools of thought
Umbrella terms

The following terms do not refer to specific branches of anarchist thought, but rather are generic labels applied to various branches.

History of anarchism

Main article: History of anarchism

Although social movements and philosophies with anarchic qualities predate anarchism, anarchism as a specific political philosophy began in 1840 with the publication of What Is Property? by Pierre-Joseph Proudhon. In the following decades it spread from Western Europe to various regions, countries, and continents, impacting local social movements. Anarchism declined in prominence between the early and late 20th century, roughly coinciding with the time period referred to by historians as The short twentieth century. Since the late 1980s, anarchism has begun a gradual return to the world stage.

The execution of the Haymarket martyrs following the Haymarket affair of 1882 inspired a new generation of anarchists.

Basic anarchism concepts

These are concepts which, although not exclusive to anarchism, are significant in historical and/or modern anarchist circles. (It should be noted that the anarchist milieu is philosophically heterogeneous and there is disagreement over which of these concepts should play a role in anarchism.)

Organizations

Main article: List of anarchist organizations

Notable organizations

The traditional fist-and-cross symbol of the Anarchist Black Cross, a notable political support organization (est. 1906).

Formal anarchist organizational initiatives date back to the mid-1800s. The oldest surviving anarchist organizations include Freedom Press (est. 1886) of England, the Industrial Workers of the World (est. 1905), Anarchist Black Cross (est. 1906), Central Organisation of the Workers of Sweden (est. 1910) and the Confederación Nacional del Trabajo (est. 1910) of Spain.

Structures

Anarchist organizations come in a variety of forms, largely based upon common anarchist principles of voluntary cooperation, mutual aid, and direct action. They are also largely informed by anarchist social theory and philosophy, tending towards horizontalism and decentralization.

Anarchism scholars

Anarchists

Main article: List of anarchists
See also: List of Jewish anarchists and List of Russian anarchists
File:Proudhon.jpg
Pierre-Joseph Proudhon (1809–1865), the first self-described "anarchist" and an influential anarchist theorist.

Prior to the establishment of Anarchism as a political philosophy, the word "anarchist" was used in political circles as an epithet. The first individual to self-identity as an anarchist and ascribe to it positive connotations was Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, in 1840. Since then, the label has continued to be used in both of these senses.

Anarchists, with their inherent rejection of authority, have tended not to assign involuntary power in individuals. With few exceptions, forms of anarchist theory and social movements have been named after their organizational forms or core tenants, rather than after their supposed founders. However, there is a tendency for some anarchists to become leaders and historical figures by virtue of their exposure to public media, through the publishing of books, the propagation of ideas, or in rare cases, by taking part in armed rebellion and revolution.

Notable anarchists

The following is a list of anarchists who have made a major impact on the development or propagation of anarchist theory:

Notable non-anarchists

The following is a list of individuals who have influenced anarchist philosophy, despite not being self-identified as anarchists:

Anarchism lists

Template:Anarchism portal

Footnotes and citations

  1. ^ Malatesta, Errico, "Towards Anarchism", MAN!. Los Angeles: International Group of San Francisco. OCLC 3930443.
  2. ^ "Anarchism". Encyclopædia Britannica. 2006. Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service. 29 August 2006
  3. ^ "Anarchism". The Shorter Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 2005. P. 14 "Anarchism is the view that a society without the state, or government, is both possible and desirable."
  4. ^ Bakunin, Mikhail, God and the State, pt. 2.; Tucker, Benjamin, State Socialism and Anarchism.; Kropotkin, Piotr, Anarchism: its Philosophy and Ideal; Malatesta, Errico, Towards Anarchism; Bookchin, Murray, Anarchism: Past and Present, pt. 4; An Introduction to Anarchism by Liz A. Highleyman
  5. ^ a b Slevin, Carl. "Anarchism". The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics. Ed. Iain McLean and Alistair McMillan. Oxford University Press, 2003.
  6. ^ Peter Kropotkin, "Anarchism", Encyclopædia Britannica 1910
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