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Anarchy (New Latin anarchia, from Greek anarkhi, from anarkhos, without a ruler : an-, without ; see a-1 + arkhos, ruler ; see -arch) is a term that has a number of different but related usages. Its specific definition is of an "absence of any form of political authority,... of any cohesive principle, such as a common standard or purpose". It is therefore a state of "Political disorder and confusion".

• Anarchy may also mean a society based on the principles of one or more strains of the political theory anarchism (see also libertarian socialism for an overview of left-wing anarchists and anarcho-capitalism for an overview of right-wing anarchists). Advocates of one or other form of this theory have often named their newspapers, magazines and pamphlets, in various languages, "Anarchy"; for example:
  • Anarchy, a magazine published in London in the 1960s and 1970s;
  • Anarchy: A Journal of Desire Armed;
  • Anarchy, a book by Errico Malatesta;
  • Anarchy!: An Anthology of Emma Goldman's Mother Earth, edited by Peter Glassgold.
• The Anarchy is the name most often given to the period of civil war and unsettled government which occurred in England during the reign of King Stephen of England.
• Anarchy Online is a computer game.

See also: Anomie, chaos, wiktionary:anarchy, wiktionary:anarchism

• Disambiguation pages