Antiauthoritarianism

Antiauthoritarianism is a stance or philosophy that opposes coercive or centralized authority in governance, social life, and institutions. It emphasizes voluntary association, autonomy, mutual aid, and non-hierarchical organization.

Core principles include decentralization, participatory decision-making, direct action, and solidarity, along with a critique of centralized states, capitalism, and entrenched hierarchies in religion, education, and industry. Proponents favor horizontal networks, federations, and decision processes designed to maximize individual and community autonomy while minimizing coercion.

The term is often associated with anarchist and libertarian socialist traditions, but it covers a range of currents that advocate different means—from nonviolent civil-society organizing to radical municipalism and mutual-aid networks. Some distinguish anti-authoritarianism from broader anti-statism by emphasizing non-coercive social arrangements rather than opposition to the state per se.

Historically, anti-authoritarian ideas emerged in 19th and 20th century radical movements and continue in modern activism, including worker cooperatives, community collectives, and anti-fascist organizing. Practitioners tend to favor voluntary cooperation, democratic confederalism, and grassroots institutions that operate without centralized coercion.

Critics argue that excessive anti-authoritarianism can hinder coordination, public welfare, and accountability; debates focus on how to prevent coercion within voluntary associations and whether consensus-based processes can scale. Proponents respond that legitimate power can be noncoercive and accountable through transparent, participatory practices.