What do you think of anarchism?

Question

I was just wondering what you all think about anarchism: do you think it is evil, will it ever happen, if so when, are you an anarchist, were you taught about it, if so what were you told etc... btw, I'm an anarchist-syndicalist. There are many other branches of anarchism and it is VERY ORGANIZED and well thought out.

I won't get offended by anything people say, just be honest...

If you would like to know more about anarchism and how it works, go to:
http://www.infoshop.org/faq/index.html

it has A LOT of info on anarchism. Thank you PeguinBackPacker for reminding me of it.

Anarchism literally means "without ruler" in Greek, but just because there is no ruler does not mean that it can't be organized. There is collective organization and anarchism does work. Look at the Spanish revolution. Anarchism is not new and it wasn't just pulled out of a philosopher's *** some day, that is what I mean that it is well thought out. I guess now I see what people were told about anarchism...

Answer 1

I've done college-level research on Mikhail Bakunin, and for a different class, on the anarchist role in the Spanish Civil War. I know what you're talking about, but I doubt many other people do. Anarchism has a bad name - and what's funny is that we really have a crude form of anarchy here in the U.S. right now, according to the common definition, as in the absence of government. In all honesty, I doubt you'll make progress with this topic on YA, but if you haven't already, check out the films of Luis Bunuel - he served as the ambassador to France for the Spanish anarchist government during that war, and his films are simply the best!

Answer 2

There are two types of anarchy.

First type is no government or just very little.

Second is when the government fails to function or they go against what liberty stands for and upholding their contract which is the constitution and people don't realize it but this form of anarchy is happening right now.

Big government can't keep up with everything they have control over. This is just one of the reasons why the founding fathers did not want big government.


To answer the question. I believe if you are going to have a system, don't bite more than you can chew. Make sure it will continue to run effectively in the long run as well as present time. I believe the government can do good but they can't if they feel that every aspect of the citizens life should be under their control. It shouldn't.

Answer 3

I find the idea of anarchy to be interesting without the propaganda of it being chaos and without order.

I was looking into anarchist communism, but into other theories as well. I would like to read the "The Conquest of Bread" by P. Kropotkin.

Also, your site was very informative.

Answer 4

I, too, am an anarchist. Anarchists oppose illegitimate authority and hierarchy, and thus oppose capitalism and the state. Anarchists do not, however, oppose all organization; they favor voluntary, non-hierarchical self-organization.

I run a mailing-list with news & views for anarchists & activists:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smygo/

Answer 5

Read the history of Anarchy and it is fascinating for sure. I'm reading a book by Emma Goldman and its' great. I'm not really sure if I'm for it however or convinced it would work at all however. But alot of it's philosophies I find engaging and workable in a democratic system.
http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/Goldman/

Answer 6

Well thought out? How much thinking did it take to formulate the idea of a complete lack of government.

Anarchism is foolishness. Humans cannot live peacefully without laws, which must be enforced by a government.

Unless I'm totally misunderstanding the basic premise of anarchism.

Answer 7

www.infoshop.org I came across it and liked it. For any type of power eventually becomes corrupt and oppressive.

I read a lot of history and see the same cycle of bad government happen eventually to all societies and it is a thing to be best avoided.
The sad thing is anarchy is very misunderstood and considered as "no government and chaos" when it is a form of self-government (not government by elites) and philosophy of of bottom up government, not a government of those of a special class.

Answer 8

I think you should give us your views on anarchism because apparently you are so well-versed on it and completely support it.

Answer 9

Anarchism is rather self-defeating. Especially when anarchists govern themselves in organizations...which defeats the purpose of no government.

I find anarchy to be futile and a waste of resources.

Without law there is no order.

When anarchy rules in place of law, chaos and disorder reign as well.

Answer 10

Tell me what is anarchism to you.