Anarchism and Authority

Anarchism, as defined by Noam Chomsky, asserts that any form of authority, particularly hierarchical authority, must justify its existence - be it a family patriarch, a priest, a manager, a CEO, or a government. Authority is not inherently justifiable and should not involve micromanaging others. Anarchism questions whether decision-making should be a collective process, rather than vested in a single individual. It challenges the necessity of authority in various contexts, such as in families, religious institutions, workplaces, and governance. Anarchism prompts people in positions of authority to prove how their leadership benefits everyone, compared to individuals making decisions collectively as responsible adults.