Anarchism facts for kids

This symbol is often used by anarchists. The "o" represents order, and the "a" represents anarchy. It means both go together.

Anarchism is a set of ideas about how society should be organized. People who believe in anarchism, called anarchists, think that all forms of hierarchy are harmful. This means they are against things like governments that force people to do things. They believe that people should not be controlled by others.

The word "anarchism" comes from the Greek word "anarchia." This means "without rulers" or "without government." It does not mean "without rules" or "chaos."

Sometimes, people use the word anarchy to mean chaos or disorder. But anarchists usually do not want chaos. Instead, they see "anarchy" as a way for people to relate to each other freely. They believe that if people are allowed to make their own choices, society can work well on its own. Anarchists often disagree with the systems of power that exist today.

What Anarchists Believe

Anarchism is built on a few main ideas. These include:

• Individual freedom: People should be free to make their own choices.
• Voluntary groups: People should join groups because they want to, not because they are forced.
• No state control: Anarchists believe that governments are not needed and can be harmful.

Anarchists have different ideas about some things. For example, they might disagree on whether violence is okay to bring about change. They also have different ideas about the best way to organize an economy. Some anarchists focus on equality, while others focus more on individual freedom.

Anarchists are not against all kinds of authority. For example, they would not be against a skilled teacher showing someone how to do something. They are only against control that is forced upon people.

Images for kids

• 

  Wilhelm Weitling wrote about ideas similar to anarchism.

• 

  Zeno of Citium (around 334 – 262 BC) wrote a book that inspired later anarchists.

• 

  Mikhail Bakunin disagreed with Karl Marx about how to achieve a new society.

• 

  Nestor Makhno with members of the anarchist Revolutionary Insurgent Army of Ukraine.

• 

  In Rojava, workers formed cooperatives like this sewing group.

• 

  Pierre-Joseph Proudhon was an important thinker for many anarchist ideas.

• 

  Lawrence Jarach (left) and John Zerzan (right) are modern anarchist writers.

• 

  Protesters showing anarchist symbols and ideas.

• 

  Pictures of anarcha-feminist protests and symbols.

• 

  Les chataigniers a Osny (1888) by anarchist painter Camille Pissarro.

See also

In Spanish: Anarquismo para niños