Anarchism

Essay # 45588

Political Science > Political Theory

Anarchism

A brief introduction into the anarchist ideology and its relevance to the appreciation of political science.

1,602 words () | 9 sources | APA | 2003 United Kingdom

Paper Summary:

This paper provides an introduction of the ideology of anarchism, where the government is typically perceived as evil as well as wholly unnecessary. It includes a background to the development of the theory and its main principles and assumptions. It also looks at a number of key examples throughout history such as Barcelona during the Spanish Civil war and the Paris Commune as well as the current standing of anarchism today.

From the Paper:

"The individual within the Anarchism ideal is thus rational, but must also be to an extent compassionate, as Buchanan proposes in "The Limits of Liberty" individuals should be "dictated by mutual tolerance and respect." So with this understanding of the individual within anarchic society as a basis, a perception of Anarchism can be developed. Anarchy is most often defined as the "Lack of a centralized authority." Government is typically perceived as evil as well as wholly unnecessary. This can often have negative connotations, suggesting a lack of social direction and stability. Yet as Herbert Read proposes in his script, "Anarchy and Order," anarchy "is ambiguous" for . . . "without ruler," the literal meaning of the root of the word, is not necessarily "without order," the meaning often loosely ascribed to it.""