Anarchy vs. Anomie — What's the Difference?

Anarchy is a society being freely constituted without authorities or a governing body. It may also refer to a society or group of people that entirely rejects a set hierarchy.

In sociology, anomie () is a social condition defined by an uprooting or breakdown of any moral values, standards or guidance for individuals to follow. Anomie may evolve from conflict of belief systems and causes breakdown of social bonds between an individual and the community (both economic and primary socialization).

Absence of any form of political authority.

Social instability caused by erosion of standards and values.

Political disorder and confusion.

Alienation and purposelessness experienced by a person or a social group as a result of a lack of standards, values, or ideals

Absence of any cohesive principle, such as a common standard or purpose.

Alienation or social instability caused by erosion of standards and values.

(uncountable) The state of a society being without authorities or an authoritative governing body.

Personal state of isolation and anxiety resulting from a lack of social control and regulation

(uncountable) Anarchism; the political theory that a community is best organized by the voluntary cooperation of individuals, rather than by a government, which is regarded as being coercive by nature.

Lack of moral standards in a society

(countable) A chaotic and confusing absence of any form of political authority or government.

Confusion in general; disorder.

Absence of government; the state of society where there is no law or supreme power; a state of lawlessness; political confusion.

Hence, confusion or disorder, in general.

A state of lawlessness and disorder (usually resulting from a failure of government)