Is anarchism similar to liberalism

Question 1

Para 1

Answer 1

Yes, they both believe in reducing state power
E.g. the classical liberal Mary Wollstonecraft argued that an individual’s home is more important than the state since it ‘enhances and serves both individuals and families’
(Therefore, since individuals can rely on their own rational judgement and that of those in their family, the role of the state in their lives is unnecessary and thus should be limited)

Yes, anarchists also want to reduce state authority
E.g. Pierre-Joseph Proudhon advocated for a reduction in the role of state in French society, however he also expanded this to the abolition of the French state during the French Revolution in 1789
(Therefore, anarchism is characterised by a belief in the reduction of state authority, which, for individualist anarchists, would prevent the state from denying our innate egoism and thus allowing human nature to flourish)

Question 2

Para 2

Answer 2

No, they have different means of achieving their goals E.g. most anarchists prefer violent methods of seizing power in order to enact change. For example, Michael Bakunin supported a violent revolution that would result in ‘spontaneous order’, involving the voluntary cooperation of individuals.
(As a consequence of this, the state would collapse since citizens would recognise the benefits of anarchism and in turn would violently rebel against the state)

No, all strands of liberalism prefer to achieve their aims through democratic means
E.g. the Canadian Liberal Party won an election in 2021 (Therefore, rather than violently overthrow the state, liberals are able to work within the existing democratic structures to enact change)

Question 3

Para 3

Answer 3

No, classical liberalism → (John Locke) church provides welfare
anarcho communism → (Sebastian Faure) hostile to religious authority