anarchism

American  

[an-er-kiz-uhm] / ˈæn ərˌkɪz əm /

noun

1. a doctrine urging the abolition of government or governmental restraint as the indispensable condition for full social and political liberty.

2. the methods or practices of anarchists, as the use of violence to undermine government.

3. anarchy.

---

anarchism British  

/ ˈænəˌkɪzəm /

noun

1. political theory a doctrine advocating the abolition of government

2. the principles or practice of anarchists

---

anarchism Cultural  

1. The belief that all existing governmental authority should be abolished and replaced by free cooperation among individuals.

---

Discover More

Anarchy is sometimes used to refer to any state of chaos or lawlessness.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• semianarchism
  noun
• proanarchism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of anarchism

First recorded in 1635–45; anarch(y) + -ism

Compare meaning

How does anarchism compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• anarchism vs. socialism

Explanation

If you're a proponent of anarchism, you believe in a political system that does away with all government. Someone who favors anarchism can be described as an anarchist, a person who places the most political importance on individual freedom, especially from powerful governments. Anarchism is a political philosophy that opposes hierarchies — systems in which a more powerful person or group is in charge — and favors equality between all people. The Greek root word of anarchism is anarkhia, "lack of a leader," or "the state of no government."

Related Words

• anarchy
• brawl
• disturbance
• lawlessness
• protest
• storm
• strife
• trouble
• turmoil
• uproar