NOT as many people think simply not having a government and hierachy, but a PEACEFUL HARMOIOUS state where people are educated to think for themselves.
Most people see this as unworkable because they don't see the second half. Afghanistan, for example is not properly anarchic, as warlords etc still fight to control land. If only they could see how much happier we'd all be if we got along and took time to understand each other....
Basically most common sense is supported by anarchism : Free thought, listening to other people's opinions, pacifism, lack of oppression etc
by a man April 26, 2005
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A theory which states that hierarchy and scarcity economies are harmful to human development. Promotes first achieving anarchy of self, and external revolution second. Revolves around the clearly insane idea that people don't need to be told not to murder to know that murder is bad.
I hate anarchism because I don't understand the meaning of the word!
by Anonymous June 9, 2003
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A non-hierarchical society in which private property and the division of classes is abolished and the world is comprised of autonomous collectives containing no authority.
Anarchism differs from other ideologies on the left such as socialism, specifically in terms of how the social transformation from capitalism - which in Marxism theory is the last stage of class society - to a communistic society will actually occur.
Proponents of the anarchist doctrine look to the immediate abolition of the state as essential towards the transformation from class society to anarchist society, in which only then can true human liberation and democracy flourish. This often comes in the form of abstention from mainstream political engagement altogether. This usually leads to the rejection of electoralism or parliamentarianism as a means of achieving change. Most anarchists seek to create an immediate version of what human society is supposed to look like in the future. This often comes in the form of non-hierarchical organizations, communes, affinity groups, and so on. Socialists on the other hand see the existence of a revolutionary workers party as indispensible towards building a new society. Socialists also favor parliamentarianism as a tool towards heightening the consciousness of the worker.
There are different versions to the anarchist doctrine such as anarcho-syndicalism, anarcho-libertarianism, anarcho-communism, etc.
Anarchism as an ideology is said to have gone back to as far as the early 18th century with thinkers such as William Godwin. Other following theorists such as Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, Mikhail Bakunin, Emma Goldman and most recently Murray Bookchin have all added a substantial amount of knowledge to the anarchist tradition.
There are hardly any mass anarchist organizations in the US currently, although there has been a recent revival in anarchist ideas, predominantly among student activists. Groups such as Students For A Democratic Society, and the recent creation of the NYMAA (New York Metro Anarchist Alliance) are all signs of a new wave of anarchist activity to come.
Anarchism in times of dormancy, can become confined to its lifestyle variations. Vegans, vegetarians, consumer boycotters, and individuals comprising the animal liberation and anti-globalization movements tend to look to anarchist ideas as a way to shape society.
Throughout history, the anarchist doctrine has always been a idea espoused by people who were generally outside of the realms of mass industrial production such as doctors, lawyers, craftsmen, artisans, etc. These days, anarchism has seen its revival in the punk rock movement, which contains mostly white middle class surburban teens and young adults. It has never really deterred from that particular socio-economic level, at least not in the advanced capitalist countries.
Anarchism reflects the politics of impatience.
by Damien E November 4, 2007
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Where we are headed when we realize just how useless the state and capitalism are.
People object that murderers and thiefs will ruin anarchism, but I think those people get off on hurting others and would gladly support the state if it gave them a chance to hurt others, except that they'll die when they try to declare war on the anarchists and lose due to their stupidity.

Kûk‡xenisi n!ok‡x'osi xno-k‡xek‡emi.
The state only exists to serve itself.
by Eddy December 23, 2003
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Anarchism stands for liberation of the human mind and the dominion
of religion; the liberation of the human body from the dominion of
property; liberation from shackles and restraint of government. It
stands for social order based on the free grouping of individuals.
anarchism can be seen in most communistic societies, tight nit communities...
by Xx_Spike_xX March 31, 2009
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the doctrine that ALL forms of goverment are deppresive and should be demolished, nothing close to communism
"everyone who believes anarchism is a synonym of communism is a retard"
by TIMMAHHH March 28, 2003
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Something that would be taken a little more seriously if the majority of it's adherents weren't angry 15-year-olds with faux-hawks and Rise Against t-shirts.
I just threw my garbage on the street insetad of in the trash! WOOO THAT'S ANARCHISM MAN I'M SUCH A BADASS! FUCK THE SYSTEM MAN I'M GONNA PARK IN THE HANDICAPPED SPACE OF 7-11 FOR 5 MINUTES! IN YOUR FACE GEORGE DUMB NAZI CHIMP BUSH! I'M SO UNIQUE AND EDGY AND I HATE MY PARENTS! WOOOO BLACK FLAG WOOOOOO!!!!
by Rug Mama February 28, 2005
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