User:Zazaban/Anarchism and Chaos

Anarchism has traditionally condemned chaos, despite the association of the two in the popular consciousness.

The word 'anarchy' first entered the English language in 1642 during the English Civil War as a term of abuse used by Royalists to damn those who were fomenting disorder. It was not until the time of the French Revolution some, such as the Enragés, began to use the term positively.

Depictions in the press and popular fiction helped create a lasting public impression that anarchists are violent terrorists. This perception was enhanced by events such as the Haymarket Riot, where anarchists were blamed for throwing a bomb at police who came to break up a public meeting in Chicago. The writer J. R. R. Tolkien, describing his political philosophy in a letter to his son Christopher, characterised anarchy as "philosophically understood, meaning abolition of control not whiskered men with bombs."

However, some anarchists do advocate chaos, most prominently Hakim Bey, creator of post-anarchism, who embraced the liberatory nature of chaos.

Public perception
Anarchism is commonly perceived in the public mind as advocating chaos and destruction.

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