Anarchism
/ˈæn.ɑː.kɪ.zəm/noun
A political philosophy advocating self-governed societies based on voluntary institutions.
Did you know?The term 'anarchism' is often misunderstood, but its roots in the Greek 'anarchos' reveal a profound philosophical tradition that questions authority itself.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀναρχία (anarchía)
“A state of being without a ruler or authority.”
Middle Ages
Latin
anarchia
“A term used in scholarly texts to denote the absence of governance.”
16th Century
Old French
anarchie
“Derived from the Greek, used to describe political disorder.”
19th Century
English
anarchism
“The introduction of the term into political literature as a movement against state authority.”