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'Despite the popular idea of anarchists as violent men, Anarchism is the one non-violent social philosophy.: The function of the Anarchist is two-fold. By daily courage in non-cooperation with the tyrannical forces of the State and the Church, he helps to tear down present society; the Anarchist by daily cooperation with his fellows in overcoming evil with good-will and solidarity builds toward the anarchistic commonwealth which is formed by voluntary action with the right of secession.'

Ammon Hennessey#7

Attribution disputed; shown as originally published.

AnarchismResistanceCooperationNonviolenceSocietySolidarityTyranny

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About this quote

What does it mean?
Anarchism is defined as a non-violent philosophy built on daily non-cooperation with tyranny and voluntary cooperation among equals.
In plain terms
Anarchism uses peaceful daily actions to build a better society without force.
What can you take from it?
Focus on daily non-cooperation with evil and cooperation with others to build change.

Where it applies

  • political activism
  • social reform
  • ethical living

Putting it to work

  • non-cooperation
  • community organizing
  • peaceful resistance

Questions to consider

  • How do you practice non-cooperation?
  • What does solidarity mean to you?

Another view

Critics argue non-violent methods may be too slow against entrenched power.

More from Ammon Hennessey

  1. 'Love without courage and wisdom is sentimentality, as with the ordinary church member. Courage without love and wisdom is foolhardiness, as with the ordinary …

    Permalink to quote #6

  2. 'A Christian Anarchist does not depend on bullets or ballots to achieve his ideal; he achieves that ideal daily by the One Man Revolution with which he faces a…

    Permalink to quote #8

  3. 'The dictionary definition of a Christian is one who follows Christ; kind, kindly, Christ-like. Anarchism is voluntary cooperation for good, with the right of …

    Permalink to quote #5

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