anarcho-syndicalism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Academic / Political / Technical
Quick answer
What does “anarcho-syndicalism” mean?
A political philosophy and movement that advocates the organisation of society through a system of decentralised, self-managed workers' unions (syndicates) as the primary means of both political and economic organisation, rejecting state power and capitalism.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A political philosophy and movement that advocates the organisation of society through a system of decentralised, self-managed workers' unions (syndicates) as the primary means of both political and economic organisation, rejecting state power and capitalism.
A branch of anarchism that focuses on the labour movement and revolutionary unionism. It posits that radical trade unions are the force for revolutionary social change, capable of both overthrowing the capitalist state and forming the basis of a new, stateless, socialist society organised through federations of worker-controlled industries.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used identically in its core meaning. Spelling follows national conventions ('organisation' vs. 'organization'). In historical/political discourse, it may be more frequently referenced in UK contexts due to the historical strength of syndicalist movements in early 20th-century Britain (e.g., the Industrial Workers of the World influence).
Connotations
In both varieties, the term carries strong ideological and historical connotations, associated with early 20th-century labour movements, the Spanish Civil War (CNT), and specific political theorists like Rudolf Rocker.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse. Slightly higher frequency in specialised academic, historical, or political activist circles.
Grammar
How to Use “anarcho-syndicalism” in a Sentence
[Anarcho-syndicalism] + [verb: advocates, rejects, proposes, aims to] + [noun phrase][Adjective: Revolutionary, Spanish, Traditional] + [anarcho-syndicalism] + [verb: emerged, flourished, declined]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anarcho-syndicalism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The group sought to anarcho-syndicalise the industry. (Very rare, non-standard)
American English
- They aimed to organise along anarcho-syndicalist principles. (No direct verb common)
adverb
British English
- The union was organised anarcho-syndicalistically. (Extremely rare, awkward)
American English
- The group operated in an anarcho-syndicalist manner. (Preferred phrasing)
adjective
British English
- He was influenced by anarcho-syndicalist thought during his time with the union.
- The anarcho-syndicalist federation published its own newsletter.
American English
- She wrote her thesis on anarcho-syndicalist movements in the 1930s.
- Their platform contained distinctly anarcho-syndicalist elements.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Would only appear in a historical context discussing labour relations.
Academic
Primary context. Used in political science, history, sociology, and labour studies to describe a specific ideological current.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used in discussions of political history or by activists.
Technical
Used precisely within political theory and historiography to denote this specific ideology, distinct from Marxism-Leninism or other anarchist schools.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anarcho-syndicalism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “anarcho-syndicalism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anarcho-syndicalism”
- Misspelling as 'anarcho-sindicalism'.
- Using it as a synonym for 'chaos in the unions'.
- Confusing it with general anti-state libertarianism that isn't focused on labour unions.
- Pronouncing 'syndicalism' with a /saɪn-/ (like 'sign') instead of /ˈsɪn.dɪ-/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a specific branch or school within anarchism. While all anarcho-syndicalists are anarchists (opposing the state), not all anarchists are syndicalists. Anarcho-syndicalism gives special emphasis to labour unions as the key revolutionary organisation.
To achieve a stateless society where the means of production are owned and managed directly by the workers themselves through their federated trade unions, replacing both capitalist ownership and state control.
It was particularly influential in early 20th-century Spain (with the CNT union), France, Italy, and parts of Latin America. It also had adherents in the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) in the United States and Britain.
'Syndicalism' broadly refers to a doctrine that gives trade unions a central role in societal transformation. 'Anarcho-syndicalism' explicitly incorporates anarchist principles—rejecting all state forms and political parties, aiming for a completely decentralised, stateless society run by unions.
A political philosophy and movement that advocates the organisation of society through a system of decentralised, self-managed workers' unions (syndicates) as the primary means of both political and economic organisation, rejecting state power and capitalism.
Anarcho-syndicalism is usually academic / political / technical in register.
Anarcho-syndicalism: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæn.ə.kəʊ ˈsɪn.dɪ.kə.lɪ.zəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæn.ɚ.koʊ ˈsɪn.dɪ.kə.lɪ.zəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated. The term itself is a technical compound.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ANARCHY' (no rulers) + 'SYNDICATE' (a workers' union). ANARCHO-SYNDICALISM is the idea of running society through worker unions without a government.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A WORKERS' UNION (a complex structure is understood as a federation of self-managing productive groups).
Practice
Quiz
Anarcho-syndicalism is most closely associated with which historical concept?