Description
Anarchy refers to a social situation where people live or act without rulers dictating how they may live or act.
Discussion
The word derives from the ancient Greek anarchia (ἀναρχία), meaning "without ruling authority".
It's usage does neither implies without rules generally nor without any type of authority. Rather, "anarchy" is used to emphasise no third party rulers. In a legal context this means private law prevails over public law.
Anarchy presents opportunities for people to govern their own affairs. It enables the protection of self-sovereignty and, by extension, property rights.
To Thomas Hobbes, anarchy meant chaos and social fragmentation.
Governance — social rules that protect individuals' property and institutions of their enforcement — doesn't require government. Hobbes overlooked the possibility of self-governance - Peter T Leeson.
Further Resources
- Malice, Michael, The Anarchist Handbook (Michael Malice, 2021).