Blackberry
13th June 2004, 16:30
Note: Original article edited. (16/6/04)
- Voluntarism content added.
- Last paragraph of "non-hierarchy" sub-heading slightly changed.
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What makes an anarchist…anarchist?
Anarchism is simply a word with minimal meaning to many people. It could either be the doctrine of chaos, or of the abolition of government, and maybe it describes an ideal society to some people.
Whatever the meaning, it is important to recognise that there is a set of principles that are inherent in anarchism. It is an ideology that has been developed by many people over centuries that are recognised as anarchists.
While there are some radical differences between a variety of anarchist thinkers and other anarchists, it is important to recognise that there is a set of principles that make a person an anarchist or not.
Although a clear list is often not clear and mostly it is unspoken of, it can frustrate anarchists with a level of understanding of what anarchism is when someone may call themselves an anarchist but reject one of the core principles.
This is what this paper will explain; exactly what are these core principles. It does not, however, attempt to justify anarchist principles.
Non-Hierarchy
The most important core principle is non-hierarchy, as opposed to hierarchy -- the institutionalisation of authority within a society. According to anarchist theory, hierarchy is harmful and unnecessary to society; including its institutions and relationships. Control in any hierarchy is maintained by coercion -- that is, by the threat of negative sanctions of one kind or another: political, social, economic, physical, psychological, etc.
Anarchists therefore reject the state, class, and capitalism, which all allow individuals to have authority over another, whether political, social, or economic. Racism, sexism, and homophobia are rejected as hierarchical attitudes as well, as hierarchy provides the justification for domination and exploitation involved in these three attitudes.
Participation in or advocacy of any form of authoritative power is rejected in the state, including all levels of government, judiciaries, and security services. However, anarchists may have no choice but to live in a hierarchical society. What is important is that they do not participate in its institutions in order to gain authority.
Direct Democracy or Consensus
Direct democracy is one of the most important fundamentals, and consequently another principle that define an anarchist. Direct democracy is a non-hierarchical form of decision-making, since it is based on equal decision-making power for all people in non-hierarchical political, social, and economic structures. A minority cannot be trusted to make the decisions of a majority, as it is hierarchical.
However, some anarchists disagree with direct democracy, preferring consensus. Consensus is based upon everyone in an organisation or institution agreeing to a decision before it can be put into action.
Voluntarism
Voluntarism is an essential anarchist principle as well. It is important is that an individual is not compulsorily forced to comply with decisions in an anarchist society.
They may choose to withdraw themselves from a decision or actions, but they must not contradict it. Forcing a task upon someone, or contradicting a decision by carrying out contrary actions, is coercion -- a hierarchical and authoritarian mean.
Due Process
Another important core anarchist principle is due process. A society without due process is harmful and cannot let an individual or a group make arbitrary on the spot decisions for them.
Due process -- knowing and following a series of steps that guarantee an individual's security within an anarchist organisation or wider anarchist society is paramount. Automatic access to due process in a society guarantees individuals and small groups rights in that community.
These four key principles is the bread and butter of any anarchist. A rejection of any of these four core principles, including any of the concepts introduced as being contrary to the political theory of anarchism, renders any self-labeled anarchist a non-anarchist. To ignore these is to reject centuries of anarchist history.
- Voluntarism content added.
- Last paragraph of "non-hierarchy" sub-heading slightly changed.
--------------------
What makes an anarchist…anarchist?
Anarchism is simply a word with minimal meaning to many people. It could either be the doctrine of chaos, or of the abolition of government, and maybe it describes an ideal society to some people.
Whatever the meaning, it is important to recognise that there is a set of principles that are inherent in anarchism. It is an ideology that has been developed by many people over centuries that are recognised as anarchists.
While there are some radical differences between a variety of anarchist thinkers and other anarchists, it is important to recognise that there is a set of principles that make a person an anarchist or not.
Although a clear list is often not clear and mostly it is unspoken of, it can frustrate anarchists with a level of understanding of what anarchism is when someone may call themselves an anarchist but reject one of the core principles.
This is what this paper will explain; exactly what are these core principles. It does not, however, attempt to justify anarchist principles.
Non-Hierarchy
The most important core principle is non-hierarchy, as opposed to hierarchy -- the institutionalisation of authority within a society. According to anarchist theory, hierarchy is harmful and unnecessary to society; including its institutions and relationships. Control in any hierarchy is maintained by coercion -- that is, by the threat of negative sanctions of one kind or another: political, social, economic, physical, psychological, etc.
Anarchists therefore reject the state, class, and capitalism, which all allow individuals to have authority over another, whether political, social, or economic. Racism, sexism, and homophobia are rejected as hierarchical attitudes as well, as hierarchy provides the justification for domination and exploitation involved in these three attitudes.
Participation in or advocacy of any form of authoritative power is rejected in the state, including all levels of government, judiciaries, and security services. However, anarchists may have no choice but to live in a hierarchical society. What is important is that they do not participate in its institutions in order to gain authority.
Direct Democracy or Consensus
Direct democracy is one of the most important fundamentals, and consequently another principle that define an anarchist. Direct democracy is a non-hierarchical form of decision-making, since it is based on equal decision-making power for all people in non-hierarchical political, social, and economic structures. A minority cannot be trusted to make the decisions of a majority, as it is hierarchical.
However, some anarchists disagree with direct democracy, preferring consensus. Consensus is based upon everyone in an organisation or institution agreeing to a decision before it can be put into action.
Voluntarism
Voluntarism is an essential anarchist principle as well. It is important is that an individual is not compulsorily forced to comply with decisions in an anarchist society.
They may choose to withdraw themselves from a decision or actions, but they must not contradict it. Forcing a task upon someone, or contradicting a decision by carrying out contrary actions, is coercion -- a hierarchical and authoritarian mean.
Due Process
Another important core anarchist principle is due process. A society without due process is harmful and cannot let an individual or a group make arbitrary on the spot decisions for them.
Due process -- knowing and following a series of steps that guarantee an individual's security within an anarchist organisation or wider anarchist society is paramount. Automatic access to due process in a society guarantees individuals and small groups rights in that community.
These four key principles is the bread and butter of any anarchist. A rejection of any of these four core principles, including any of the concepts introduced as being contrary to the political theory of anarchism, renders any self-labeled anarchist a non-anarchist. To ignore these is to reject centuries of anarchist history.