Defining Anarchism By Jason Justice Originally printed as tri-folding brochure, 1996 Revised July, 2002

Anarchism has been defined in many ways by many different sources. The word anarchism is taken from the word anarchy which is drawn from dual sources in the Greek language. It is made up of the Greek words av (meaning: absence of [and pronounced "an"]) and apxn (meaning: authority or government [and pronounced "arkhe"]). Today, dictionary definitions still define anarchism as the absence of government. These modern dictionary definitions of anarchism are based on the writings and actions of anarchists of history and present. Anarchists understand, as do historians of anarchism and good dictionaries and encyclopedias, that the word anarchism represents a positive theory. Exterior sources, however, such as the media, will frequently misuse the word anarchism and, thus, breed misunderstanding.

A leading modern dictionary, Webster's Third International Dictionary, defines anarchism briefly but accurately as, "a political theory opposed to all forms of government and governmental restraint and advocating voluntary cooperation and free association of individuals and groups in order to satisfy their needs." Other dictionaries describe anarchism with similar definitions. The Britannica-Webster dictionary defines the word anarchism as, "a political theory that holds all government authority to be unnecessary and undesirable and advocates a society based on voluntary cooperation of individuals and groups." Shorter dictionaries, such as the New American Webster Handy College Dictionary, define anarchism as, "the political doctrine that all governments should be abolished."

These similar dictionary definitions of anarchism reflect the evolution of the theory of anarchism, made possible by anarchist thinkers and movements. As a result, dictionary definitions, although sometimes fair, only reflect watered-down definitions of the word anarchism. MIT professor Noam Chomsky, in fact, has refuted the definition of anarchism as a "political doctrine." According to Chomsky, "...anarchism isn't a doctrine. It's at most a historical tendency, a tendency of thought and action, which has many different ways of developing and progressing and which, I would think, will continue as a permanent strand of human history." Other modern definitions of anarchism are thoroughly explained, not as a word, but as a history of movements, people and ideas. The Encyclopedia of the American Left, in fact, gives a three page history of anarchism, yet does not once define the word.

William Godwin was the first proclaimed anarchist in history and the first to write about anarchism. He was born in 1756 in Weisbech, the capital of North Cambridgeshire. He later married feminist Mary Wollstonecraft and had a daughter, Mary Shelley - author of Frankenstein. Godwin published a book called Political Justice in 1793 which first introduced his ideas about anarchism. Godwin was forgotten about, however, and after his death Pierre Joseph Proudhon became a leading anarchist figure in the world. His book What is Property? incorporated greater meaning to the word anarchism; anarchism became not only a rejection of established authority but a theory opposing ownership of land and property as well.

Anarchism fully blossomed as a defined theory when Russian anarchists Mikhail Bakunin (1814-1876) and Peter Kropotkin (1842-1921) started to write and speak. Bakunin had a major influence in the world and introduced anarchism to many people. Kropotkin was one of the many people inspired by Bakunin. Kropotkin wrote many books on anarchism, including Mutual Aid, Fields Factories and Workshops, and The Conquest of Bread, and greatly aided in the evolution of the theory of anarchism. Kropotkin wrote the first adept encyclopedia definition of anarchism in the eleventh edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica in 1910. His definition was fifteen pages long. He started the definition by introducing the word anarchism as:

"the name given to a principle or theory of life and conduct under which society is conceived without government - harmony in such a society being obtained, not by submission to law, or by obedience to any authority, but by free agreements concluded between various groups, territorial and professional, freely constituted for the sake of production and consumption, as also for the satisfaction of the infinite variety of the needs and aspirations of a civilized being. In a society developed on these lines, the voluntary associations which already now begin to cover all fields of human activity would take a still greater extension so as to substitute themselves for the state of its functions."

Following Kropotkin, Leo Tolstoy furthered the ideas which make up the meaning of the word anarchism. Tolstoy introduced Christian anarchism (rejecting church authority but believing in God) and broadened anarchism's meaning. Tolstoy, in favor of the growth of pacifist anarchism, wrote, "The anarchists are right in everything; in the negation of the existing order, and in the assertion that, without Authority, there could not be worse violence than that of Authority under existing conditions."

As the 20th century emerged anarchism began to peak and the definition of anarchism became concrete with the growth of new anarchist writers and, more importantly, anarchist movements. The execution and imprisonment of eight anarchists in Chicago in 1886 sparked anarchism's growth in the United States. The "Haymarket Eight" inspired anarchists such as Voltairine de Cleyre and Lucy Parsons. Parsons was allegedly born into slavery and later became an anarchist and an ardent speaker and working class rebel; the Chicago police labeled Parsons, "more dangerous than a thousand rioters." She lectured across the country and was brought to fame as thousands of workers took the streets in mass protests. Emma Goldman also became part of the anarchist movement in wake of the Chicago Martyrs. Goldman was a fiery, unstoppable speaker and writer. She openly challenged authority, as well as conventional notions of repression on many different levels, inside and outside of the anarchist community. Her tireless lifetime of work helped broaden the meaning of anarchism, both in her writings and her actions. She wrote the book Anarchism and other essays, started a newspaper, Mother Earth, and introduced the greatest and most important ideas of anarcha-feminism in history which prevail, as a result of Goldman, to this day. "Anarchism," wrote Goldman, "stands for liberation of the human mind from the dominion of religion, the liberation of the human body from the dominion of property, liberation from the shackles and restraint of government."

Emma Goldman's life long comrade, Alexander Berkman, played a major part in helping to define the word anarchism. He wrote a book called ABC of Anarchism which defines and describes anarchism and is still read today. Berkman wrote, "Anarchism means you should be free; that no one should enslave you, boss you, rob you, or impose upon you. It means you should be free to do the things you want to do; and that you should not be compelled to do what you do not want to do."

Anarchism was put into action by giant movements throughout history which proved its definition was more than theoretical. The communal efforts of anarchism were seen in the Paris Commune during the 19th century, the revolutionary organizing of Mexican working class rebels was documented by anarchists such as Ricardo Flores Magon, and the Spanish Revolution of 1936-39 proved anarchists' capability of creating anarchism within small sectors of the world. Certainly today we are seeing a rise in anarchist tendencies and movements throughout Brazil, Spain, the United States and countries around the globe.

Although the word anarchism is understood by many in its classic sense (that defined by dictionaries and by anarchists of history), the word is often misused and misunderstood. Anarchism, because of the threat it imposes upon established authority, has been historically, and is still, misused by power holders. People who call themselves anarchists are also mislabeled as a result. Anarchists and anarchism, then, are defined by power holders as violence and chaos. As anarchist historian George Woodcock put it, "Of the more frivolous is the idea that the anarchist is a man who throws bombs and wishes to wreck society by violence and terror. That this charge should be brought against anarchists now, at a time when they are the few people who are not throwing bombs or assisting bomb throwers, shows a curious purblindness among its champions." The claim that anarchism is chaos was refuted long ago by Alexander Berkman when he wrote:

"I must tell you, first of all, what anarchism is not. It is not bombs, disorder, or chaos. It is not robbery or murder. It is not a war of each against all. It is not a return to barbarianism or to the wild state of man. Anarchism is the very opposite of all that."

These refutations of stereotypes associated with anarchism are sometimes trampled by the popular misuse of the word anarchism. It is not uncommon for a country in the midst of U.S.-imposed turmoil to be labeled by the media as "complete anarchy," a phrase which undermines the true definition of the word anarchism and all those who toiled, and who do toil, to make the word anarchism mean what it does today.

Modern anarchists still work hard to help anarchism maintain its validity and history. Traditional notions of anarchism, such as of anarcho-syndicalism (class struggle and workers democracy), are resurfacing through the hard work of anarchists today. Anarchism has been spread around the world through music and bands such as Crass, introducing anarchism and pacifism and urging collective self-sufficiency among workers and community members. Other anarchists such as Lorenzo Kom'boa Ervin, an ex-Black Panther, are working with others in directly challenging racism and authority.

But it no longer suffices to define anarchism as merely a movement to abolish the state. Anarchism today is being used to find solutions to the problems of power; not just state power, but corporate power and all immediate forms of domination among individuals and organizations. Wherever concentrated power exists, whether it be state or corporate rule, intellectual elitism, cops and bosses, or male domination, anarchism is becoming a practical tool in working to dissolve such power, encouraging democratic and collective power to the greatest extent possible. Anarchism is, in essence, both a tendency to be free of rule, and a set of principles to be applied when dealing with the problems of power. New anarchist ideas and movements are continuing to keep its definition alive and meaningful.

In defining anarchism today it is also necessary to look beyond the lectures, writings and activism of anarchist individuals. Anarchist movements have always been made up of large numbers of people organizing on every level around the world. Defining anarchism means not just reading famous definitions, but understanding that anarchist movements and wide-scale democratic networking and organizing are truly the defining characteristics of anarchism. Anarchists are working together, keeping its definition alive and well, within a growing network of anarchist organizations. Collectives such as AK Press in the United States and the UK, political prisoner support groups such as the Anarchist Black Cross, and media outlets such as Znet and Z Magazine are all examples of anarchist organizations working together for social change, and broadening our understanding of anarchism.

As documented, the word anarchism has a long history. Although the word is simply derived from Greek tongue, the philosophy and actions of anarchists in history and present give the word anarchism proper definition. Dictionary definitions, as quoted, are sometimes fair to anarchism, but far from complete. The misuse of the word anarchism is unfortunate and has been a problem anarchists have had to deal with for the last century. Because of the misuse of anarchism, the simple dictionary definitions of anarchism, and the different interpretations of anarchism the word can take on many meanings, but the truly accurate meaning of the word anarchism can be found in anarchist history, anarchist writings and anarchist practice.

The Next Move Is Yours.

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From: "Jason Justice" , 31 Jul 2002 Anarchist Action Network



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I must add, however, that I am a great believer in the US constitution.

My Libertarian leanings (with my slightly iconoclastic and anarchistic viewpoints) are tempered by constitutional ideals. It is an imperfect document, to be sure, but if properly regarded and not tossed by the wayside, it will defend us and our children from the bonds of tyranny... (pretty poetic, eh?)

;0)

Wiz

cap·i·tal·ism [káppit’l ìzzəm] noun
free-market system: an economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production and distribution of goods, characterized by a free competitive market and motivation by profit.

“I think that Capitalism, wisely managed, can probably be made more efficient for attaining economic ends than any alternative system yet in sight, but that in itself it is in many ways extremely objectionable.”
John Maynard Keynes (1883–1946), British economist.
The End of Laisser-Faire (1925).

I’ve stated my philosophy about the pros and cons of government control, ad nauseum, on this forum. But, since you’ve reiterated the Libertarian platform again, here’s the wheelslip rant:

Capitalism is the fairest and most successful economic system yet devised. It allows all citizens to compete for the treasure available to those who would succeed at their endeavor of choice.

All citizens are not equally equipped to win the capitalist race. By definition, the mathematics of capitalism allows for one winner relative to the distribution of a given product. The stronger must always corner an entire market to fulfill the definition of capitalism.

Greed and the lust for power will drive capitalists to utilize illegal and immoral means to achieve the ultimate capitalist success. When the effects of their abuse become too obnoxious for the citizenry, politicians that “will” control the errant capitalists will be elected. Regulation returns economic conditions to an environment that is suitable for the consumer as well as the investor.

In reaction to the unacceptable regulation of capitalism’s lust for the optimal bottom-line (zero cost of production and maximum selling price) investors have spent enormous resources to defeat the regulators. Get them voted out of power or blackmail them with floods of political contributions. One–by-one, services that are basic necessities for the average American have been placed into the arena of legal, environmental, and economic disarray. The philosophy of lassiez-faire capitalism permeates our health, pharmaceutical, power, petroleum, insurance, transportation, radio, television, telephony, chemical and newspaper industries. The present administration is presently experimenting with our military, social services and educational system. In each and every of the preceding industries, administrators have used whatever tactic necessary to assure healthy profits over public benefit.

In conclusion, I challenge any reader to justify the deregulation of “any” of the preceding industries when compared to the long-term damage that has been resultant from “less government intrusion.”