Anarchism
A political philosophy that opposes all involuntary, coercive forms of hierarchy — particularly the state — and advocates for voluntary, non-hierarchical organization.
Explanation
Anarchism holds that the state and other hierarchical institutions are inherently oppressive and should be abolished, replaced by voluntary cooperation and mutual aid. It is not chaos — anarchists envision organized society without government authority. Different strands include anarcho-communism (collective ownership of production), anarcho-syndicalism (workers' control through trade unions), and individualist anarchism. Anarchism influenced the Paris Commune (1871), the Spanish Civil War (1936–39) with the CNT-FAI, and elements of the Global Justice Movement. Anarchist ideas also influence contemporary movements including parts of the environmental and feminist left, and anarcho-capitalists on the libertarian right.
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