anarchist
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anarchist
A person who supports anarchism, a political philosophy that rejects state rule and aims for a society without hierarchies.
Als überzeugter Anarchist glaubte er an eine Gesellschaft, die auf freiwilliger Kooperation basiert.
As a committed anarchist, he believed in a society based on voluntary cooperation.
The word derives from 'die Anarchie' (anarchy). The ending '-ist' refers to a person who follows a particular idea or movement, similar to 'Sozialist' (socialist) or 'Journalist' (journalist).
Er las viele Bücher über die Geschichte der Anarchie.
He read many books about the history of anarchy.
In a political context, the word is often combined with adjectives that emphasize the person's convictions. Typical phrases are 'ein überzeugter Anarchist' (a committed anarchist) or 'ein bekennender Anarchist' (an avowed anarchist).
Als überzeugter Anarchist lehnte er jede Form von staatlicher Autorität ab.
As a committed anarchist, he rejected every form of state authority.
This meaning is colloquial and often meant in a slightly derogatory or ironic way. It is used in everyday language for people who behave playfully or deliberately in a messy and rebellious way, without any political intention behind it.
Räum endlich dein Zimmer auf, du kleiner Anarchist!
Finally clean up your room, you little anarchist!
rebel
'der Rebell' and 'der Anarchist' can be confused because both can stand against authority or fixed order. However, a rebel is usually directed against a specific government, rule, or social order. An anarchist, as a political idea, fundamentally rejects state rule and hierarchies. Colloquially, 'Anarchist' can also be used derogatorily for someone who disregards rules and causes chaos. So not every rebel is an anarchist: a rebel can fight a specific system without fundamentally rejecting all forms of rule.
Der Anarchist sprach auf der Versammlung über eine Gesellschaft ohne Staat.
The anarchist spoke at the meeting about a society without a state.
In dem Roman kämpft ein junger Rebell gegen die strengen Regeln des Königs.
In the novel, a young rebel fights against the king's strict rules.