> That was my question... where does democracy begin and anarchism end (or vice versa)?
>
> Cliff
>
> ----------------------
>
> Gar had a good answer.
>
> my 2 cents: Anarchism wants to abolish the state. It's hard to imagine democracy without some sort of centralized organization such as the state, especially when there's an anti-democratic (anti-socialist) opposition. Instead of abolishing the state, therefore, the point is to subordinate the state to the people, eventually abolishing the distinction between the state and society.
Anarchism wants to put the power back into the hands of working people. They should have political and economic power over their lives. Decisions should be made at the local level through egalitarian methods and the shape of the bigger society builds on that local power.
Anarchists do not desire to take over the state and we are sceptical about "overthrowing" the state. Anarchists think that direct action is a basic building block towards eliminating the state's power.
A.2.11 Why are most anarchists in favour of direct democracy? http://www.infoshop.org/faq/secA2.html#seca211
Chuck0