anarchist

Anarchist refers to an adherent of anarchism, a political philosophy that seeks to abolish hierarchical authority and coercive institutions in favor of voluntary, noncoercive associations. Anarchists advocate self-governed communities organized through mutual aid, solidarity, and direct democratic processes, rather than centralized state power.

Core ideas common to many anarchist currents include anti-statism, anti-authoritarianism, and opposition to domination in all its forms. While many anarchists critique capitalism as a system that concentrates power and wealth, others focus on social organization and communal ownership. Practitioners emphasize voluntary cooperation, federated networks of communities, and nonhierarchical decision making. Direct action, mutual aid, and education are frequent methods, though approaches vary from peaceful civil discourse to more militant tactics depending on the milieu.

There are diverse strands within anarchism, reflecting differences over property, economics, and strategy. Notable currents include anarcho-communism (emphasizing common ownership and voluntary labor), anarcho-syndicalism (prioritizing labor unions as agents of social change), mutualism (market-based but non-capitalist exchange), collectivist anarchism, and individualist anarchism. Some traditions favor decentralization and councils or assemblies as governing structures, while others stress voluntary associations and nonhierarchical networks.

Historically, anarchism emerged in the 19th century with thinkers such as Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, who argued that anarchy could be order, and later Mikhail Bakunin and Peter Kropotkin who developed social and organizational theories. The movement played a prominent role in certain revolutionary contexts, notably in parts of Spain during the 1930s. Today, anarchist ideas persist globally, influencing social movements, labor organizing, and critiques of state and market power, while remaining a minority and often contested political tradition.