Anarchism: A Conceptual Approach

Anarchism is by far the least broadly understood ideology and the least studied academically. Though highly influential, both historically and in terms of recent social movements, anarchism is regularly dismissed. Anarchism: A Conceptual Approach is a welcome addition to this growing field, which is widely debated but poorly understood.

Occupying a distinctive position in the study of anarchist ideology, this volume – authored by a handpicked group of established and rising scholars – investigates how anarchists often seek to sharpen their message and struggle to determine what ideas and actions are central to their identity. Moving beyond defining anarchism as simply an ideology or political theory, this book examines the meanings of its key concepts, which have been divided into three categories: Core, Adjacent, and Peripheral concepts. Each chapter focuses on one important concept, shows how anarchists have understood the concept, and highlights its relationships to other concepts.

Although anarchism is often thought of as a political topic, the interdisciplinary nature of Anarchism: A Conceptual Approach makes it of interest to students and scholars across the social sciences, liberal arts, and the humanities.

Benjamin Franks is Lecturer in Social and Political Philosophy at the University of Glasgow’s Dumfries campus. He is the author of Rebel Alliances and co-editor of Anarchism and Moral Philosophy. His work has appeared in The Journal of Political Ideologies, Capital and Class, and Anarchist Studies.

Nathan Jun is Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Philosophy Program at Midwestern State University. He is the author of Anarchism and Political Modernity. He has published several edited volumes and journal articles on political theory, the history of political thought, and contemporary European philosophy.

Leonard Williams is Professor of Political Science at Manchester University in North Manchester, Indiana. He is the author of American Liberalism and Ideological Change. His writings on anarchism have appeared in New Political Science, the Journal for the Study of Radicalism, and Anarchist Developments in Cultural Studies.