Anarchy vs Democracy

Politics do not accommodate well with everyone and it is conceivable that most ordinary citizens would not even know where to begin, let alone understand ideologies in politics.  In todays’ day and age, everyone has heard of, or at least pretends to know what Democracy is. The influx of Democracy worldwide as a means of governing, has been considered the ultimate solution to the worlds’ problems.  Or has it?

Looking at the current state of our beautiful planet one has to ask, has it started taking its toll?  Never-ending quarreling, abuse of power, lack of pride and a false sense of humanity.  This leaves one to consider whether Democracy is the right ideology. 

I will endeavor to cover as many ideologies in plain language, as is possible.  Both new and old, so as to enable you, the reader, to decide which is best.  

Today, let us consider our first - Anarchy.

Most people think of Anarchy as a negative, violent approach to overthrow states and cause chaos. 

Although Anarchy can be divided into many different approaches, let us have a look at what Anarchy as a whole, can actually do for a country.

Anarchy is described as a society that is self-governed with its own voluntary organisations.  (Think, you decide what the laws are individually, and as a group, and you choose who monitors those laws.)  The ideology believes that no state or hierarchy is necessary to govern the populace and that free choice and mutual help towards your fellow man is key.  (Think, you don’t get told what to do by someone, you mutually agree what gets done.)  

Is this not what most people want?  Free choice…, mutual respect…? 

Anarchy also ignores other facets such as organised religion. Christian anarchists believe Jesus and his disciples to be the first Anarchist society and that Jesus taught these exact ideologies.  Is glorification of a state not just another form of idolatry?  (Think, The Vatican.)

Democracy, at its core, undermines the intelligence of the human race and serves as a means to control the populace.  In a Democracy, we are coaxed into a sense of false security.  Being told that freedom of speech is democratic, leads to the belief that one can think and say what one wants…  But, is that the case? 

Anarchy comes with its own flaws though.  Not everyone understand mutual respect and love for the fellow man, and as such some have taken Anarchy in the past as an excuse to do, and get what they want, when they want.  Fights would break out almost instantaneously in these conditions and a spree of rape and pillage would ensue.  This in turn would cause reaction from the model citizens and a riot of sorts would escalate into a civil war.  This in turn would need to be stopped and thus an autocratic environment ensues.

But can this be done without violence and abuse of ones’ own wants and needs? 

To answer this question, one has to compare states versus people reign. 

The first concern anyone would have is security and justice in a stateless country.  How would one be assured of a fair trial?  In Democratic states the ruling is made by a judge or panel of judges after the accused has had a trial, by referring to previous rulings similar to the current case.  Although this seems fair, wouldn’t each case be better judged by its own criteria?

One should also consider that it is not uncommon to falsify evidence to appeal to some corrupt politicians need.  Or to make or break a trial outcome, thus enabling further financial, political or public opinion gains. 

In an Anarchistic environment the individual would likely be given the choice of defense and the public would decide his fate privately.

This sounds primitive, but isn’t that what we are?  Are we not only modernised because of technology? Do we not still get primitive urges on a daily basis?   Could this not solve cultural differences as well?

Another important aspect to take in consideration in a stateless environment are taxes. 

There would be no need to pay taxes.  According to Anarchists, taxing by the state is theft.  These taxes are used to empower themselves (The State) for a stronger foothold internationally, by flexing military muscles, advancing technology, brokering deals to cut off non-game playing countries through embargoes etc… the list goes on.

Anarchy already exists in many forms worldwide.  Just think of Home Owners Associations, Membership clubs and Trade unions.  These are all chosen institutions by the public involved in them, by themselves, and they work just fine.

For Anarchy to work, change should not be drastic, but rather a slow and parallel one with the state, until the state eventually dissolves itself.

According to Anarchists, the more people realise their own power, the better their understanding would be of the freedom and peace that Anarchy can bring.

(The views in this article are not necessarily the views of the writer)