Why Anarchists Oppose the State

Anarchists oppose the state because it is a hierarchical institution that concentrates power

in the hands of a few and governs society from above through coercion. Historically intertwined

with capitalism, the state exists to maintain domination, enforce inequality, and protect economic

privilege. Anarchists define the state not as society itself, but as a specific

form of social organisation marked by centralisation, hierarchy, and a professional monopoly on violence

exercised over a territory. Regardless of its form—monarchy, dictatorship,

or democracy—the state divides society into rulers and ruled, requiring bureaucracies,

police, and armies to enforce obedience. Even democratic states preserve