The first, or at least one of the first who used term
anarchism in a
positive sense was
Pierre-Joseph Proudhon. The following
discussion between Proudhon and some
ignorant person has reached some fame:
- So you're a republican.
- Yes, I may say so but the word is not exact. Res publica means mutual things... in that sense even kings are republicans.
- I see! You have to be a democrat?
- No, I'm not.
- How come!? You can't be a royalist, could you?
- No, I'm not.
- But you promote the constitution?
- Certainly not!
- Are you then an aristocrat?
- Not at all.
- Do you support mixed governance?
- Even less.
- Then, what you are?
- I'm an anarchist.