Welcome to Anarchy in the House of MetalAxe, a site dedicated to anarchist thoughts and ideals. Here you will be able to learn more about anarchy if you don't know what it is, or see how my thoughts and approaches as an anarchist differ from those of other anarchists'.
These different beliefs, instead of undermining anarchist solidarity, are what helps anarchy to thrive. (Click here for an essay pertaining to this thought.) Thus, even though there is a more concentrated amount of information to be found at The Pierre J. Proudhon Memorial Computer and The Anarchy Organization, smaller sites, such as this, allow one to take in the whole of the anarchist movement/philosophy. That is not to say that I do not approve of the sites. On the contrary, they are both very informative sites that I strongly encourage you to visit if you haven't already. What I am saying is that just as one person should not be judged as indicative of a particular group, neither should one website be judged as indicative of anarchism.
That said, there is a common set of beliefs/guiding principals anarchists strive to achieve. While the individual interpretation on how to act on these beliefs will depend on, well, the individual, most anarchists would probably agree that anarchy is:
1 - Anarchy is anti-government because it holds that we can make decisions for ourselves. We do not need others telling us what to do. Another way of saying it is that anarchy is anti-hierarchical. Government is the epitome of hierarchy: someone (in this case the State) telling you what you can and cannot do (Big Brother is watching.) A very good analogy of an anti-hierarchical practice would be direct democracy. Everyone votes on every issue that affects the community. Representative democracy, such as the U$ has, does not work because politicians (representatives) make decisions that their constituents do not agree with. Anarchy puts more faith in the abilities of individuals. We are all responsible for the decisions we make.
2 - Anarchy is anti-capitalism because anarchy believes in helping out your fellow man, while capitalism believes in screwing them over for your own gain. (I don't know about you, but I literally get sick to my stomach when I read a text on economics.) There is no need to hoard material objects in an anarchist society because everyone would share basic necessities. A communal washing machine in an apartment, for example, would be used instead of everyone needing to have their own. Actually, most apartment complexes already have a laundromat on site. The difference is that the resident is charged for the privilege of cleaning his or her dirty laundry. Isn't the rent they are charged enough to cover this? Not for the greedy capitalist, who doesn't know the meaning of the word "enough."
3 - Anarchy is respect for others because it holds that everyone can do what they want as long as it doesn't infringe upon the rights of others. Anarchy believes in equality regardless of race, gender, sexual preference, religion, and even opinion. As far back as the 1860's, before it became "popular" to do so, anarchists were fighting for the equality of women. The anarchists back then were also against slavery and the mistreatment of Native American Indians by the U$ government.
All these traits point to the loving nature of anarchy, not the chaos you always hear so much about.
That's a general overview of what anarchy is. Follow the links below for a more in-depth look in to some of the facets of anarchism.
Big Brother, We're Watching! Scrutinizing the evil doings of the corps and the politicians.
Do It Yourself Ways you can implement anarchist ideals in your daily life.
Variations on a theme Some anarchists are non-violent, others militant. Some are Christian, some secularist. All represent different forms of anarchism.
The Red and Black Flag-Cat Anarchist symbols.
Anarchist Figures Anarchist thinkers from past to present.
Anarchistory A history of anarchy.
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