The word ‘anarchy’comes from the Greek anarkhia, which literally means contrary to authority or without a ruler (Ward 2004, P 1). Anarchist ideology disregards any type of political authority and considers authority in shape of state as both evil and unnecessary (Heywood 2007, P 175). Personal (of an individual) autonomy is the central theme of the ideology, for which anarchists have long advocated a stateless society. As they consider state as a coercive authority with intrudes in the personal autonomy of an individual.
Anarchists have also held a view that state keeps a punitive eye on its dissidents and every state protects the rights of the powerful (Ward 2004, P 2). It is for the above mentioned reasons that the word ‘anarchy’ has a negative connotation attached to it (Heywood 2007, p 175). However, anarchists have described the ideology as the real alternative to create a better world. It was after 1840, when Pierre-Joseph Proudhon used the term to describe his political ideology that the term gained legitimacy (Ward 2004, p 1).
Despite being one of the oldest political ideologies, anarchism has failed to gain sustained appeal among the masses. As the idea of overthrowing the state or a stateless state is largely seen as unrealistic. Anarchist ideas have never been at the base of national …show more content…
In Stirner’s view, egoism is a philosophy which puts the individual at the centre of moral universe. The individual from this perspective should simply act as he or she chooses, without any consideration for laws, social conventions, religious or moral principles (Heywood 2007, P 193). Anarchist libertarian thinkers like Henry Thoreau (1817-1862) further developed this theory by stating “That government is best which doesn’t govern at all”. Benjamin Tucker (1854 -1939) further explained that conflicts or disagreements between individuals can be resolved by reasoned discussions (Heywood 2007, P
Anarchists have also held a view that state keeps a punitive eye on its dissidents and every state protects the rights of the powerful (Ward 2004, P 2). It is for the above mentioned reasons that the word ‘anarchy’ has a negative connotation attached to it (Heywood 2007, p 175). However, anarchists have described the ideology as the real alternative to create a better world. It was after 1840, when Pierre-Joseph Proudhon used the term to describe his political ideology that the term gained legitimacy (Ward 2004, p 1).
Despite being one of the oldest political ideologies, anarchism has failed to gain sustained appeal among the masses. As the idea of overthrowing the state or a stateless state is largely seen as unrealistic. Anarchist ideas have never been at the base of national …show more content…
In Stirner’s view, egoism is a philosophy which puts the individual at the centre of moral universe. The individual from this perspective should simply act as he or she chooses, without any consideration for laws, social conventions, religious or moral principles (Heywood 2007, P 193). Anarchist libertarian thinkers like Henry Thoreau (1817-1862) further developed this theory by stating “That government is best which doesn’t govern at all”. Benjamin Tucker (1854 -1939) further explained that conflicts or disagreements between individuals can be resolved by reasoned discussions (Heywood 2007, P