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The political theories collectively known as anarchism encompass not only a range of individual schools, but also a considerable divergence in the use of some key terms. Some terms, such as socialism, have been subject to multiple definitions and ideological struggle throughout the period of the development of anarchism. Others, such as capitalism are used in used in divergent, and often contradictory, ways by different schools within the tradition. In addition, terms such as mutualism have changed their meanings over time, without spawning new schools. All of these terminological difficulties contribute to misunderstandings within and about anarchism.

Contents 1 Anarchism as Anhierarchism, Anti-Authoritarianism or Anti-Statism? 2 The "Zaxlebax" Problem 3 Social Systems and Economic Models 3.1 Socialism 3.2 Communism 3.3 Capitalism 3.4 Mutualism 3.5 Markets 3.6 Possession & Property 4 Other Stuff 4.1 Authority 4.2 Hierarchy 4.3 Public and Private

Debates over the meaning of the term anarchism emerge from the fact that it refers to both an abstract philosophical position and to intellectual, political and institutional traditions, all of which have been fraught with conflict. Some minimal, abstract definitions encourage the inclusion of figures, movements and philosophical positions which have historically positioned themselves outside, or even in opposition to, individuals and traditions that have identified themselves as "anarchist."

Roderick T. Long addresses one of the key terminological difficulties—the "amalgamation of incompatible meanings" in common usage of key terms—with the example of the "zaxlebax."

Suppose I were to invent a new word, "zaxlebax," and define it as "a metallic sphere, like the Washington Monument."

He contends that, in ordinary usage, this sort of "package-deal term" is as much the rule as the exception, and that capitalism and socialism are both subject to this sort of usage.

Now I think the word "capitalism," if used with the meaning most people give it, is a package-deal term. By "capitalism" most people mean neither the free market simpliciter nor the prevailing neomercantilist system simpliciter. Rather, what most people mean by "capitalism" is this free-market system that currently prevails in the western world. In short, the term "capitalism" as generally used conceals an assumption that the prevailing system is a free market. And since the prevailing system is in fact one of government favoritism toward business, the ordinary use of the term carries with it the assumption that the free market is government favoritism toward business.

The term "socialism," he claims, is subject to a similar internal contradiction: "it conveys opposition to the free market, and opposition to neomercantilism, as though these were one and the same." Moreover, he suggests that the function of these terms is to "to blur the distinction between the free market and neomercantilism." Whether or not this is the case, the "package deal" aspect of these common usages creates significant problems when the terms are used in discussion or planning. Long's lecture "Rothbard's 'Left and Right': Forty Years Later" explores the ways in which different factions within market anarchism emphasize different elements within these "package deal" terms, and end up speaking different—apparently opposed—languages while advocating many of the same ends and projects.^[1]

Although dictionary definitions of socialism have tended to emphasize social or state control of key resources, usages in political circles have varied considerably. In 1894, Richard Ely noted that the term had "already acquired a variety of meanings." These included, in its most general sense, the view that society is "a living, growing organism, the laws of which are something different from the laws of individual action."^[2] Several years earlier, in 1888, the individualist anarchist Benjamin R. Tucker included the full text of a "Socialistic Letter" by Ernest Lesigne in his essay on "State Socialism and Anarchism." According to Lesigne, there are two socialisms, and "One is dictatorial, the other libertarian."^[3]

Capitalism is one of the most hotly contested terms in anarchist theory. Anti-capitalism is considered a key element of anarchism by most social anarchists, while anarcho-capitalists quite naturally disagree. The conflict arises from some combination of genuine differences of opinion on the merits of market economies, differing definitions of "capitalism," and the "package deal" character of some definitions.