What Is Anarchism?

Anarchism is a cluster of doctrines and attitudes centered on the belief that government is both harmful and unnecessary. The word comes from the Greek anarchos, “without authority.” Anarchist thought began in the West and spread… The Atlas covers 6 anarchist ideologies, listed below with their estimated positions.

Anarchism explained

Anarchism is a cluster of doctrines and attitudes centered on the belief that government is both harmful and unnecessary. The word comes from the Greek anarchos, “without authority.” Anarchist thought began in the West and spread worldwide, mostly in the early 20th century.

Core ideas

• Government is harmful and unnecessary.
• Varieties include anarchist communism, mutualism and revolutionary syndicalism; anarcho-capitalism is a separate, market-based strand.

Origins

Anarchist thought developed in the West and spread worldwide, mostly in the early 20th century.

Associated thinkers

Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, Mikhail Bakunin, Peter Kropotkin, Emma Goldman

Based on Britannica: Anarchism (checked October 20, 2026).

Types of anarchism on the Atlas

Economic: 0 collective/planned – 100 market. Social: 0 progressive – 100 traditional. Authority: 0 libertarian – 100 authoritarian. How these are calculated.

Average position of the family

Simple average of the 6 ideologies above; the family is a grouping used by the Atlas, not a single doctrine.