Anarchy Explained

What is anarchy?

Anarchy is a society without a state, where people are free to live as they choose.

So anarchy is lawless chaos?

NO. Anarchy means no rulers, not no rules.

But without government, how will there be rules?

People decide what laws are needed between each other. This process is known as direct democracy or decision making by consensus.

Okay, but you still need a government to enforce the laws.

No, the people who decide the laws can also decide the consequences for breaking them. If anyone does not agree with the laws, they are free to either re-negotiate them, or exit the agreement.

If anarchy is that simple, why are places like Somalia a complete mess?

Somalia is a "failed state", where there are several competing factions (including other states) trying to seize the power of the state for themselves. There may be anarchists in Somalia, but they are at the mercy of the violent factions.

Where is "real" anarchy, then, if it isn't in Somalia?

Mankind has existed for hundreds of thousands of years without a state. Even in more recent times, many anarchist societies have existed, such as the Paris Commune, the Icelandic Commonwealth, the Iroquois Confederacy, and Freetown Christiania, to name a few.

Those societies didn't last very long. Why should I believe anarchy will ever last?

Why should I believe a state will ever last? Most current states are less than a century old, and even the Roman Empire didn't last forever. What is important is to be prepared to rebuild society in a way that preserves individual freedom.

If you want to support individual freedom, why not vote for someone who shares your view?

Representative "democracy" does not truly reflect the will of the individuals it claims to represent. It attracts the most power-hungry individuals, who are bribed by lobbyists to enact corporate agendas. This isn't some conspiracy theory; these transactions are visible and legal. Systemic change has never been made by voting within the system you are trying to change.

Then what do you suggest? Violent revolution? Throwing molotovs at police cars?

Revolution doesn't need to be violent. Any action that occurs outside of the state system can take away power from the state and lead to its collapse. Anarchists take direct action in various ways, such as participating in black/grey markets, or mutual aid organizations.

Quote me. -Nathan ibn Dejak

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