--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Anarchism, in my view, is an expression…" description: "\"Anarchism, in my view, is an expression of the idea that the burden of proof is always on those who argue that authority and domination are necessary. ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e09/noam-chomsky-42_anarchism_anarchism-in-my-view-is-an-expression-of_328897.jpg" --- # Anarchism, in my view, is an expression of the idea that… ![“Anarchism, in my view, is an expression of the idea that the burden of proof is always on those who argue that authority and domination are necessary. They have to demonstrate, with powerful argument, that that conclusion is correct. If they cannot, then the institutions they defend should be…” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e09/noam-chomsky-42_anarchism_anarchism-in-my-view-is-an-expression-of_328897.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e09/noam-chomsky-42_anarchism_anarchism-in-my-view-is-an-expression-of_328897.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e09/noam-chomsky-42_anarchism_anarchism-in-my-view-is-an-expression-of_328897.jpg) > “Anarchism, in my view, is an expression of the idea that the burden of proof is always on those who argue that authority and domination are necessary. They have to demonstrate, with powerful argument, that that conclusion is correct. If they cannot, then the institutions they defend should be considered illegitimate. How one should react to illegitimate authority depends on circumstances and conditions: there are no formulas.” [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Authority must prove its necessity; without strong evidence, its institutions are illegitimate, and response varies by context. **In simple terms:** Authority needs proof; otherwise it's illegitimate. Key Takeaway Demand evidence for power structures. Themes authority legitimacy burden of proof Mood analytical critical Type lecture political When to use this quote - activism - policy debate - personal decisions Key Concepts political philosophy critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - What evidence would you require to accept authority? - How do you act when evidence is lacking? A Different Perspective Not all illegitimate authority can be easily challenged. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anarchism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anarchism/) [Anarchist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anarchist/) [Argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument/) [Authority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority/) [Burden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burden/) [Burden of proof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burden-of-proof/) [Conclusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conclusion/) [Domination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/domination/) [Expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Institutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/institutions/) ## Related quotes > [We've just been sort of spinning our wheels for such a long time, for decades really, with each new president being considered illegitimate by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-packer/we-ve-just-been-sort-of-spinning-our-wheels-for-such-a-long-time-for/) [George Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-packer/) > [The judge's authority depends upon the assumption that he speaks with the mouth of others. That is to say, the momentum of his utterances…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/learned-hand/the-judge-s-authority-depends-upon-the-assumption-that-he-speaks-with/) [Learned Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/learned-hand/) > [“An appeal to the consent of the common sense of mankind cannot be allowed, for that is a witness whose authority depends merely upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immanuel-kant/an-appeal-to-the-consent-of-the-common-sense-of-mankind-cannot-be/) [Immanuel Kant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immanuel-kant/) > [“We must not get caught up in an emotional reaction against such phrases as 'believing on authority' ... Everything depends on the character of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-c-berkouwer/we-must-not-get-caught-up-in-an-emotional-reaction-against-such/) [G C Berkouwer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-c-berkouwer/) > [The great soul of power extends far beyond states, to every domain of life, from families to international affairs. And throughout, every form of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-great-soul-of-power-extends-far-beyond-states-to-every-domain-of/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [ Some \[people\] may be "servants of the power structure," but that has to be shown. I think it often can be shown, but the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/some-people-may-be-servants-of-the-power-structure-but-that-has-to-be/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [ The threat \[of the U.S. bills SOPA and PIPA\] is the inversion of the burden of proof, where we suddenly are all treated like… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clay-shirky/the-threat-of-the-u-s-bills-sopa-and-pipa-is-the-inversion-of-the/) [Clay Shirky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clay-shirky/) > [“I don't accept the currently fashionable assertion that any view is automatically as worthy of respect as any equal and opposite view. My view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-adams/i-don-t-accept-the-currently-fashionable-assertion-that-any-view-is/) [Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-adams/) > [An atheist is merely someone who doesn't believe in god/s. Atheism matters to me because I see what religion does to people, individually and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rock-cowles/an-atheist-is-merely-someone-who-doesn-t-believe-in-god-s-atheism/) [Rock Cowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rock-cowles/) > [“A theist can't empirically prove that God exists but he believes in God because no one can allegedly disprove God's existence. By his logic,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-m-jackson/a-theist-can-t-empirically-prove-that-god-exists-but-he-believes-in/) [G.M. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-m-jackson/) > [I'd like to see atheism represented not only as an intelligent choice, but common sense. It shouldn't take years of study to not believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rock-cowles/i-d-like-to-see-atheism-represented-not-only-as-an-intelligent-choice/) [Rock Cowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rock-cowles/) > [The secret to happiness is to put the burden of proof on unhappiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-breault/the-secret-to-happiness-is-to-put-the-burden-of-proof-on-unhappiness/) [Robert Breault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-breault/) > [I know the rules and have a clear conscience. I'm an atheist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rock-cowles/i-know-the-rules-and-have-a-clear-conscience-i-m-an-atheist/) [Rock Cowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rock-cowles/) > [There is more evidence to support the possibility that there could be a crack smoking Velociraptor in a pink tutu playing the ukelele in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rock-cowles/there-is-more-evidence-to-support-the-possibility-that-there-could-be/) [Rock Cowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rock-cowles/) > [In debates between anarchists and statists, the burden of proof clearly should rest on those who place their trust in the state. Anarchy's mayhem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-higgs/in-debates-between-anarchists-and-statists-the-burden-of-proof/) [Robert Higgs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-higgs/) ## More by Noam Chomsky > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [If you believe in democracy, why shouldn't you know what the government is doing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/if-you-believe-in-democracy-why-shouldn-t-you-know-what-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [It’s a shameful moment for U.S. media when it insists on being subservient to the grotesque propaganda agencies of a violent, aggressive state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/it-s-a-shameful-moment-for-u-s-media-when-it-insists-on-being/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [There are questions as to whether it should even exist. 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Just because I say it doesn't make it true. So check it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-first-thing-you-ought-to-do-is-verify-what-i-present-just-because/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [ I wrote an article about the marine landing \[in Haiti\] right away, but barely mentioned the oil, because my article would come out two… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/i-wrote-an-article-about-the-marine-landing-in-haiti-right-away-but/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [American society is now remarkably atomized. Political organizations have collapsed. In fact, it seems like even bowling leagues are collapsing. The left has a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/american-society-is-now-remarkably-atomized-political-organizations/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Discovery is the ability to be puzzled by simple things. Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/discovery-is-the-ability-to-be-puzzled-by-simple-things-noam-chomsky/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [There's an interesting book about that called The Third Reich and the Ivory Tower, written by Stephen H. Norwood. It has a long discussion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/there-s-an-interesting-book-about-that-called-the-third-reich-and-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [This is class war on an international scale, and power is in the hands of those who control the international economic system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/this-is-class-war-on-an-international-scale-and-power-is-in-the-hands/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [There are big, extremely irrational parts of the society, and they have now been mobilized politically by the Republican establishment, hoping that these people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/there-are-big-extremely-irrational-parts-of-the-society-and-they-have/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [There's plenty to criticize about the mass media, but they are the source of regular information about a wide range of topics. You can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/there-s-plenty-to-criticize-about-the-mass-media-but-they-are-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [The 50,000 Korean mercenaries we had in Vietnam were professional killers and just massacred people outright. And the American army did plenty of that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-50-000-korean-mercenaries-we-had-in-vietnam-were-professional/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) [Explore all 2,129 Noam Chomsky quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) ## More Anarchism quotes > [I know one thing: that you can do a lot of things but if you don't educate people into conscious anarchism it gets frittered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murray-bookchin/i-know-one-thing-that-you-can-do-a-lot-of-things-but-if-you-don-t/) [Murray Bookchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murray-bookchin/) > [In morals as in politics anarchy is not for the weak.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-mccarthy/in-morals-as-in-politics-anarchy-is-not-for-the-weak/) [Mary McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-mccarthy/) > [Anarchism is a definite intellectual current in the life of our times, whose adherents advocate the abolition of economic monopolies and of all political…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolf-rocker/anarchism-is-a-definite-intellectual-current-in-the-life-of-our-times/) [Rudolf Rocker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-rocker/) > [“Do not all theists insist that there can be no morality, no justice, honesty or fidelity without the belief in a Divine Power? Based…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/do-not-all-theists-insist-that-there-can-be-no-morality-no-justice/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [“Does it follow that I reject all authority? Perish the thought. 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They believe that 'the best government is that which governs least,' and that which governs least is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-tucker/the-anarchists-are-simply-unterrified-jeffersonian-democrats-they/) [Benjamin Tucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-tucker/) > [We must therefore turn to history for enlightenment; here we find that none of the proclaimed anarchist groups correspond to the libertarian position, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murray-rothbard/we-must-therefore-turn-to-history-for-enlightenment-here-we-find-that/) [Murray Rothbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murray-rothbard/) > [“I became an anarchist very early on. Anarchism, in my mind, meant taking democracy seriously and organizing prefiguratively- that is, in a way that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrej-gruba-i/i-became-an-anarchist-very-early-on-anarchism-in-my-mind-meant-taking/) [Andrej Grubačić](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrej-gruba-i/) [Browse all 388 Anarchism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anarchism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Anarchism, in my view, is an expression of the idea that the burden of proof is always on those who argue that authority and domination are necessary. They have to demonstrate, with powerful argument, that that conclusion is correct. If they cannot, then the institutions they defend should be considered illegitimate. 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