Anarchism in 30 Seconds

My entry for Al-Jazeera's "Define Anarchism in 30 seconds" contest.

I am an activist, a playwright, and an anarchist. I am the host of "Insurrection with Brenton Lengel" on the Star-Com Radio Network

You can hear the latest archive of my show here:

And, in case anyone is wondering, I'm using Noam Chomsky's definition:

"Well, anarchism is, in my view, basically a kind of tendency in human thought which shows up in different forms in different circumstances, and has some leading characteristics. Primarily it is a tendency that is suspicious and skeptical of domination, authority, and hierarchy. It seeks structures of hierarchy and domination in human life over the whole range, extending from, say, patriarchal families to, say, imperial systems, and it asks whether those systems are justified. It assumes that the burden of proof for anyone in a position of power and authority lies on them. Their authority is not self-justifying. They have to give a reason for it, a justification. And if they can't justify that authority and power and control, which is the usual case, then the authority ought to be dismantled and replaced by something more free and just. And, as I understand it, anarchy is just that tendency. It takes different forms at different times." -Noam Chomsky

[Endgame_]

Wow. Kind of excludes any praxeological conclusions. I like it

[panzeyman]

Brent has every right to be king. Check out his sword! He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. We owe him our allegiance!

[MarroniMusic]

Anarchism = mutually agreed upon rules, without RULERS. That's literally it. Nice poem though.

[dburgessnotburger]

Suppose a contract isn't proof of a legitimate hierarchy?

[bluegt]

Hey OP, the guy on your shirt explicitly called for a central bank to control everyone's finances. Isn't that the very hierarchy concept you decry?

[owelofminerva]

that's a very good start. i would also ad in the opposition to the state, capitalism, racism, sexism, homophobia, the believe in socialism, a society structured on the basis of nonhierarchial free-association, and an emphasis on solidarity.