Tag Archives: etymology

If these sorts of COERCIVE activities are taking place against persons or their property, by definition, anarchy is not occurring!

anarchy: (n): without a ruler
(From Greek anarkhia, from anarkhos, from an- ‘without’ + arkhos ‘chief, ruler’)

The words you’re looking for to describe these sociopathic behaviors are “criminality” and “rulership.”

The only reason to toss the word “anarchy” into the mix is out of ignorance, or to discredit and smear LEGITIMATE anarchists, who adhere to a peaceful, principled, anti-political philosophy of freedom!

Here’s the original definition of “anarchy,” including etymology. All efforts to change this simple, concise explanation can be summed up as a fear-monger-motivated hijacking of the word!

anarchy: (n): without a ruler
(From Greek anarkhia, from anarkhos, from an- ‘without’ + arkhos ‘chief, ruler’)

There is almost no other word in the English language that so easily defines this concept, with a history stretching back for almost half a millennium! The word Voluntaryism is a much more recent attempt (being only about a century old) to reinvent the stolen word, with the implied understanding that “anarchy” is purposefully being robbed of its meaning.

As you can see, what is taking place in the top picture below can already be defined in so many ways – from “chaos,” to “lawlessness,” to “vandalism,” to “criminality”… the list goes on. The only reason to toss the word “anarchy” into the mix is out of ignorance, or to discredit and smear LEGITIMATE anarchists, who adhere to a peaceful, principled, anti-political philosophy of freedom!