Big Think, “5 flavors of anarchy”

It may come as a surprise to some to find that anarchism comes in as many flavors as Ben ‘n Jerry’s.

  • Anarchists are often typecast in popular opinion as black-clothed bomb-throwers.
  • However, many would be surprised by the number and identities of different anarchists.
  • What’s more, anarchist beliefs aren’t simply that the state should be overthrown; there are many different variations and interpretations.

It takes an independent mind to declare oneself an anarchist, but even so, the stories and characters of people who identify as anarchists can be surprising. Here’s five snapshots of different anarchists, each with a different take on the controversial political philosophy and different experiences. As a quick note, this list is in no way meant to be exhaustive; there are many more influential, controversial, famous, and infamous anarchists out there other than those described here.

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