Anarchism

ANARCHISM IS A MODERN political theory that holds that all forms of government or authority are oppressive and therefore should be abolished in order to attain equality and justice based on free contractual agreements between individuals and groups. The etymology of the word anarchism is derived from the Greek word anarchos (anarchy), meaning rule by nobody or having no government.

Central to anarchist thought is the belief that all forms of authority and oppression—state, church, patriarchy/sexism, economic and environmental exploitation, racism, national chauvinism, and conventional morality—are artificial and detrimental to the fulfillment of human potential. Anarchists contend that society is natural and people are good but power is corrupting. Therefore, the highest stage of humanity is the freedom of individuals to express themselves and to live ...