Various Anarchism definition – definitions of anarchism:
The term anarchism derives from the Greek ἄναρχος, anarchos, meaning “without rulers” “without archons”. There is some ambiguity with the use of the terms “libertarianism” and “libertarian” in writings about anarchism. Since the 1890s from France, the term “libertarianism” has often been used as a synonym for anarchism and was used almost exclusively in this sense until the 1950s in the United States; its use as a synonym is still common outside the United States.
Anarchism definition from various sources:
In its broader meaning it is a theory of society without any coercive authority in any area—government, business, industry, commerce, religion, education, the family.
-Anarchism definition by: The Oxford Companion to Philosophy
Anarchism is a political philosophy which considers the state undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful, and instead promotes a stateless society, or anarchy.
-Anarchism definition by: Mclaughlin, Paul. Anarchism and Authority.
Anarchism is the view that a society without the state, or government, is both possible and desirable.
-Anarchism definition by: The Shorter Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Anarchism, according to the anti-statist definition, is the belief that ‘society without state, or government, is both possible and desirable.
-Anarchism definition by: George Crowder, Anarchism, Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy
According to the anti-authoritarian definition, anarchism is the belief that authority as such is illegimate and should be overcome in its entirety.
-Anarchism definition by: George Woodcock, Anarchism, A history of Libertarian Ideas and Movements.
Anarchism is best defined as scepticism towards authority. Anarchist is a sceptic in the political arena.
-Anarchism definition by:Anarchism and authority, Paul McLaughlin
Defining Anarchism
Anarchism has been defined in numerous ways. Negatively, it has been defined as the rejection of rule, of government, of the state, of authority, of society, or of domination. Less frequently, anarchism has been defined positively as a theory of voluntary association, of decentralization, of federalism, of freedom, and so on. A basic question is begged, as to whether any seemingly simplistic definition of anarchism, could possibly prove satisfactory. John P. Clack argues that it could not: ” Any definition which reduces anarchism to a single dimension, such as its critical element, must be judged seriously inadequate”.
Anarchism definition such as ‘anarchism is the ideology of non-authoritarianism’ would suffice, even if it appears to simplify anarchism or to reduce it to its critical element.