ANARCHISM

Origins and development of anarchism Anarchism: can be traced back to William Godwin (1793) and Enquiry Concerning Political Justice. was a component in the nineteenth century of a growing socialist movement. was helped by syndicalism to become an independent mass movement in the early 20th century. was gradually undermined in Europe and Latin America, especially by the spread of both authoritarianism and communism.

Principles of anarchism Anarchism is less unified and coherent ideologically than other ideologies. It is stronger on moral assertion than on explanation, and combines the overlap between liberalism and socialism’s anti-statism. It principally values: anti-statism utopianism anti-clericalism economic freedom

Collectivist anarchism The result of pushing socialist collectivism to its logical extreme Stresses the human capacity for social solidarity Believes that capitalism cannot be humanized Regard the state as inherently evil and oppressive

The result of pushing liberal individualism to its logical extreme Stresses the primacy of the individual and the importance of individual freedom State authority, when imposed on individual freedom, is absolute evil Anarchists believe individuals are moral and can conduct themselves peacefully Individualist anarchism

As anarchists believe that the state is oppressive; any engagement with the state or politics is therefore unhealthy. The following are often employed as a means of political activism: Revolutionary violence Direct action Non-violent action Roads to anarchy

Anarchism has primarily helped to counter statist tendencies within other ideological movements. Anarchist thinking can be found in modern activism in left, right and new political ideologies. Anarchism is often now linked with anti-capitalist and anti- globalization thinkers. Anarchism in a global age