Anarchism Against Hierarchical Authority

Anarchists oppose not all authority, but hierarchical authority—forms of power that place

some above others and allow decisions to be imposed rather than freely accepted. Thinkers like Bakunin

distinguish between having authority (power tied to an official position) and being an authority

(recognized competence or expertise). Anarchists accept the latter as “natural influence” or rational

authority: advice, skill, and coordination that can be questioned, withdrawn,

or rejected. What they reject is irrational authority based on status, coercion,

and inequality. Hierarchy, anarchists argue, corrupts both rulers and ruled by institutionalizing

domination, obedience, and dependency. Such social relations degrade human freedom