Summary and Timeline

Various categorizations of types of anarchism are shown at the top of the chart. The individualist-collectivist distinction refers to economics and social organization, in particular whether some sort of private property (sticky or possession) is favored, or collective/corporate ownership is preferred. Most "movement" anarchism has been collectivist, as appeals to rip-off wealthier people are alway popular. In terms of political philosophy, however, collectivism is rather rigid and reactionary. The decline of statist socialism in the late 20th century symbolized by the devolution of the USSR reflected poorly on the anti-statist varieties also. Both command economies and gift economies suffer from the same practical flaws - no one knows what people want. The information function of pricing, from the highest level of capital goods to end-user consumer goods, needs a market to function, and private property to make markets.