# Limited by What We Think We Know By:: [[Ross Jackson]] 2023-09-30 It is always interesting when the common understanding of something is incorrect. When this occurs, it is unclear if it is by pure luck that the popular idea is erroneous or if there are more nefarious reasons at play. Anarchy is a helpful example of this phenomenon. As popularly understood, anarchy represents a disorder due to the absence of authority. This “punk” understanding gained prominence in the 1980s in the United Kingdom and to a lesser degree in the United States. That version of anarchy is relatively easy to marginalize and dismiss. That construction, however popular, isn’t what anarchy represents as a serious political theory. As a political theory, anarchy is the organization of society based on voluntary cooperation, without political institutions or hierarchical government. It isn’t easy to imagine societies without states. It is relatively easy to think that states and all their oppressive apparatuses are necessary. These might be viewed as necessary evils for societies. But are they necessary? Organizations and societies could potentially operate voluntarily. People can make sense of the world together and determine what needs to be done and by whom. These things don’t need to be directed and exploited. The narrative that they do serve largely those in power. #### Related Items [[Anarchy]] [[Understanding]] [[Popular]] [[Society]] [[Together]] [[Power]]