by Josef Muehlbauer
February 24, 2017
The definition
According to the official definition, anarchism is a political philosophy that motivated anarchist movements around the world. Anarchism stands in opposition to power and hierarchical organization in all human relationships. As a consequence, anarchism opposes any form of state and protects anarchy as an alternative form of the public device. Etymologically speaking, the word anarchism comes from the ancient Greek term “anarchia” and implies a lack power. In other words, anarchism is a political ideology which denies all forms of inhibition of one person from another, that is any hierarchy societies” (Göhler, 1993).
Thus, human coexistence should not be confused with the shape of a “segmented society”. The latter implying social structures that are not determined by political institutions, but still have a hierarchical nature, such as class, social status, positions and circles. Anarchism is a kind of a “third way” anti-capitalist and anti-totalitarian/ anti-commusist movement, which from the very beginning denied fascism and bolshevism. The term “third way” is appropriated illegally by some contemporary right-wing ideologies.
The core of anarchy
The central idea of anarchism is freedom. The freedom of society is expressed in the capacity of individuals to organize themselves. A key factor here is the interaction between “collective and individual”.
Both components must be equal and not subordinate one to the other.