Who Form 5495 Distribution 2017-2025

Anarchism is a political philosophy that advocates self-governed societies based on voluntary institutions. These societies are often described as stateless and are based on non-hierarchical or free associations. Anarchism believes that the state is undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful. It opposes authority and hierarchical organization in all human relations. Anarchism is considered a far-left ideology and its economics and legal philosophy reflect anti-authoritarian interpretations of communism, collectivism, syndicalism, mutualism, or participatory economics. Anarchism is flexible and does not offer a fixed body of doctrine or a single worldview. There are different types and traditions of anarchism, from extreme individualism to complete collectivism. The word "anarchism" is composed of "anarchy" and the suffix "-ism," derived respectively from the Greek words "anarkhos" and "arkhos," meaning "without rulers." The first known use of the word was in 1539. During the French Revolution, opponents were labeled as anarchists, although their views differed from later anarchists. Revolutionaries of the early 19th century, such as William Godwin and Wilhelm Weitling, contributed to anarchist doctrines, but did not use the term "anarchist" to describe themselves. Pierre-Joseph Proudhon was the first political philosopher to call himself an anarchist, marking the formal birth of anarchism in the mid-19th century. Since the 1890s, the term libertarianism has been used synonymously with anarchism, particularly outside of the United States. However, some use libertarianism to refer only to individualistic free-market philosophy. The earliest anarchist themes can be found in the works of Taoist philosophers Lao Zi, Zhuangzi, and Bao Jingyan in the sixth century BC. Diogenes of Sinope, the cynics, and Jesus in the Christian anarchist tradition have also been associated with anarchist ideas. In early Islamic history, anarchic thought emerged during the Islamic civil war over the Caliphate. Etienne de La Boétie, Gerrard Winstanley and his group the diggers, and various factions...