Anarchy

Anarchy (New Latin anarchia, from Greek ανα–, "no" + αρχη, "rule") is a term that has several usages. Specific meanings include

1. Absence of any form of state.
2. Societal harmony through voluntary cooperation. (In contrast to the following "Political disorder and confusion" 'meaning') (Also known as anarchism)
3. Political disorder and confusion.
4. Absence of a ruler, ruling class, ruling political party or parties, or power elite.

Etymology

The word anarchy comes from the Greek word αναρχία (anarchia), which means "without a ruler" (an- meaning "without", arch- root denoting "rule", and -ia corresponding to the English suffix "-y" in "monarchy"). It originated from the word anarchos which means either "without head or chief" or "without beginning" (Liddell & Scott's Greek-English Lexicon). Anarchos was a description often applied to God - to be "uncaused" was considered divine. A King or founder might be called the archegos (αρχηγός, from archē + agein, "to lead") or just the archōn (άρχων, participle of archein, "to rule") or the archos (αρχός, from archein + -os, masculine ending) which mean "ruler." Athenian democracy was not considered anarchia because, like modern England, Athens had Kings. In fact there were nine archontes led by an archōn (Liddell & Scott). These "rulers" served mainly religious and magisterial purposes, but their existence precluded the Athenians from calling their government anarchia. Instead of calling themselves anarchos, the Athenians described their situation as eleutheros ("free").

Anarchy in Ancient Greece

In Athens, the year 404 BC was commonly referred to as "the year of anarchy". According to the historian Xenophon, this happened even though Athens was at the times under the rule of the oligarchy of "The Thirty," installed by the Spartans following their victory in the second Peloponnesian war, and despite the presence of an Archon, nominated by the oligarchs, in the person of Pythodorus. However, Athenians refused to apply here their custom of calling the year by that archon's name, since he was elected during the oligarchy, and "preferred to speak of it as the 'year of anarchy'".

The Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle used the term anarchy negatively, in association with democracy which they mistrusted as inherently vulnerable and prone to deteriorate into tyranny. Plato believed that the corruption created by democracy loosens the "natural" hierarchy between social classes, genders and age groups, to the extent that "anarchy finds a way into the private houses, and ends by getting among the animals and infecting them" ('Republic', book 8). Aristotle spoke of it in book 6 of the 'Politics' when discussing revolutions, saying that the upper classes may be motivated to stage a coup by their contempt for the prevailing "disorder and anarchy (ataxias kai anarkhias)" in the affairs of the state. He also claimed it would give, "license among slaves (anarkhia te doulôn)" as well as among women and children. "A constitution of this sort", he concludes, "will have a large number of supporters, as disorderly living (zên ataktôs) is pleasanter to the masses than sober living".

See also

• Anarchism

External links

World Wide Web links

• Anarchist FAQ — large site includes many questions and answers on anarchy and anarchism.
• Anarchist Theory FAQ covers both anarcho-capitalism and leftist anarchism.
• OED definition
• The Anarchist International Information Service
• Rebel Alliance Forum, also harbours a few communists and socialists.
• National Anarchism
• AnarchyZERO.com - a community based on anarchy
• Anarchy STRONG - online anarchist community
• The Anarchists' Abode - A new Anarchists' Forum, set up to replace the previous Anarchist forums that have closed down...
• Green Anarchy - Anti-civilization anarchist magazine.

Freenet links

• SSK Anarchy Freesite allowing everybody to publish new editions.
• Anarchy Freesite allowing everybody to edit the current edition.