Anarchism vs Libertarian Socialism
Anarchism is a political philosophy that rejects the state and other forms of coercive hierarchy and favors voluntary cooperation and self-governing communities.
- The state is a coercive institution and should be abolished or made unnecessary.
- Authority must justify itself, and unjustified hierarchies should be removed.
- People can organize society through free agreement and voluntary association.
Libertarian socialism seeks collective ownership of the economy organized through voluntary, decentralized and self-managed communities rather than through a central state.
- Workplaces should be owned and managed by the people who work in them.
- Power should flow upward from local assemblies and councils, not downward from a central authority.
- Freedom and equality depend on each other and cannot be separated.
- Anarchism: petals and stars
- Libertarian Socialism: dashed outline
★ Where they differ most
- Markets50 points apart
Anarchism: Planned (mild). Libertarian Socialism: Planned (strong).
- Welfare45 points apart
Anarchism: Shared (moderate). Libertarian Socialism: Shared (strong).
- Ownership40 points apart
Anarchism: Public (moderate). Libertarian Socialism: Public (strong).
- Structure20 points apart
Anarchism: Local (strong). Libertarian Socialism: Local (strong).
★ Where they are closest
- Trade · 0 apart
- Culture · 0 apart
- Religion · 0 apart
Axis by axis
Libertarian Socialism
Economy
Equality / Markets- OwnershipModerate: Public75%25%PublicPrivate
- MarketsMild: Planned65%35%PlannedFree
- WelfareModerate: Shared70%30%SharedSelf-reliant
State and liberty
Liberty / Authority- AuthorityStrong: Democratic100%0%DemocraticStrong leader
- SecurityStrong: Liberty98%2%LibertyOrder
- StructureStrong: Local100%0%LocalCentral
Society
Progress / Tradition- MoralityStrong: Progressive85%15%ProgressiveTraditional
- ReligionStrong: Secular90%10%SecularReligious
- TechnologyMild: Embrace55%45%EmbraceCaution
- CultureStrong: Multicultural85%15%MulticulturalNational identity
World
Global / Nation- TradeMild: Global65%35%GlobalProtected
- Foreign policyStrong: Cooperation90%10%CooperationStrength
★ 12 Axes Political Test ★
How close are you to Anarchism or Libertarian Socialism?
Answer plain statements on 12 axes and see your match with Anarchism or Libertarian Socialism and every other profile on the site, axis by axis.
FAQ
Anarchism vs Libertarian Socialism
What is the difference between Anarchism and Libertarian Socialism?
Anarchism is a political philosophy that rejects the state and other forms of coercive hierarchy and favors voluntary cooperation and self-governing communities. Libertarian socialism seeks collective ownership of the economy organized through voluntary, decentralized and self-managed communities rather than through a central state. On the 12 axes they differ most on markets, welfare, ownership.
What do Anarchism and Libertarian Socialism have in common?
Their positions are closest on trade, culture, religion. Overall their profiles are a 88% match on the 12 axes used by the 12 Axes Political Test.
Am I closer to Anarchism or Libertarian Socialism?
Take the 12 Axes Political Test. Your result shows your match with both, and with every other ideology on the site, axis by axis.