Social anarchism

Social anarchism (sometimes referred to as socialist anarchism) is a non-state form of socialism and is generally considered to be the branch of anarchism which sees individual freedom as being dependent upon mutual aid. Social anarchist thought generally emphasizes community and social equality.

Social anarchists advocate the conversion of present-day private property into social property or the commons, while retaining respect for personal property. The term is used specifically to describe those who place a higher emphasis on supporting the communitarian and cooperative aspects of anarchist theory than other anarchists. It is generally considered an umbrella term which includes (but is not limited to) collectivist anarchism, anarchist communism, anarcho-syndicalism, and social ecology.

The term "social anarchism" is often used interchangeably with libertarian socialism,left-libertarianism, or left anarchism. It emerged in the late 19th century as a distinction from individualist anarchism.