PoliticsAugust 17, 2026

anarchism

AN-er-kiz-um

Definition

A political theory holding that all forms of government are unnecessary or harmful and should be replaced by voluntary cooperation among individuals.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'anarchos' (meaning 'without a ruler'), the word entered English in the mid-17th century to describe the absence of government or a state of lawlessness, later evolving into a specific political philosophy.

In the news

The article uses the term to differentiate the long-standing American tradition of anti-imperialism from foreign political ideologies like anarchism, which the author argues has little historical support in the United States.

Marco Rubio got it wrong

Read the full article ↗

The Boston Globe

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