Anarchism Key Terms

Power

From the anarchist viewpoint, power is the means or instruments such as the law, the police and the use of ideology, by which the state and other social institutions secure their authority.

Authority

From the anarchist perspective, authority is the right of one person or institution to influence the behaviour of others and is seen as commanding, controlling and corrupting.

Government

From an anarchist perspective, government is a particular system of rule, from monarchism to dictatorship to liberal democracy, based on deceit and violence.

State

From an anarchist perspective, the state is seen as a sovereign body that exerts total authority over all individuals and groups living within its defined geographical lines.

Altruism

Concern for the interest and welfare of others based on rational self-interest or a belief that humans are social beings with a capacity for social solidarity.

Autonomy

A form of self-government or legislation, a combination of freedom and responsibility, in which the individual is not subject to the will of the state or any other person.

Direct action

A whole range of political actions from non-violent to violent actions taken outside of the legal and constitutional framework.

Syndicalism

Revolutionary trade unionism that uses direct action and the mass strike as an expression of working-class power to inspire popular revolt.

Direct democracy

From an anarchist perspective, citizens making law and policy decisions in person rather than through elected representatives in a form of popular, self-government.

Solidarity

From an anarchist perspective, a relationship of sympathy, cooperation and harmony between people, which means that they have no need to be regulated by the state and any regulation makes solidarity impossible.

Mutualism

A system of equitable exchange between self—governing producers, organised individually or in association and small-scale private property based on use or possession.

Collectivisation

The abolition of private property and its replacement by a system of common ownership.

Mutual aid

The most successful species are those that employ solidarity and cooperation rather than individualistic competition.

Insurrection

Is not synonymous with revolution but is rather egoistic, not a political or social act, that allows individuals to elevate themselves above the established institutions, leaving the establishment to decay and die.