Anarchist theory of politics (Anarchism)
Anarchist theory of politics (Anarchism)
Anarchism stands for a
mode of thought which holds that society can and should be organized without
the coercive authority of the state. Anarchism is grounded both on the
rejection of all forms of organized and constituted authority as well as total support for full and unlimited freedom of the individual from all forms of
control. It opposed to the state, religion, private property, and all forms of
political authority or rule as these are held to be unwanted and unnecessary
limitations on individual liberty.
The world Anarchism is taken from the Greek
word ‘Anarchia’ which means ‘no rule’. Anarchism opposes every type of
authority and rule because it is held to be opposed to the liberty of the
individual. It advocated unrestrained and full liberty of the individual. It
stands for a totally free society, free from private property, religion, state
and government.
William Godwin was the first thinker who
advocated for a stateless society is regarded to be the first systematic
defence of anarchism. P.J. Proudhon, a French philosopher, who was the first to
call himself an anarchist. Other exponents of anarchism are Kropotkin, Bakunin
and Tolstoy.
Features of Anarchism:
1. Total
opposition of state.
2. Rejection
of representative government.
3. Opposition
to private property and capitalism.
4. Oppose
exploitation and misuse of the people in the name of religion. Religion is not being allowed to be used for
selfish purposes.
5. Organization
of free society based on voluntary organizations of the people.
6. Anarchists
rightly point out some of the key evils of state, private property and
religion.
7. They
emphasizes on cooperation among the people and individual initiative, which is
conducive to social progress.
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