text: Anarchism is broadly used to describe the anti-authoritarian wing of the socialist movement.Anarchism is contrasted to socialist forms which are state-oriented or from above.Scholars of anarchism generally highlight anarchism's socialist credentials and criticise attempts at creating dichotomies between the two.Some scholars describe anarchism as having many influences from liberalism, and being both liberal and socialist but more so.Many scholars reject anarcho-capitalism as a misunderstanding of anarchist principles.While opposition to the state is central to anarchist thought, defining anarchism is not an easy task for scholars, as there is a lot of discussion among scholars and anarchists on the matter, and various currents perceive anarchism slightly differently.Major definitional elements include the will for a non-coercive society, the rejection of the state apparatus, the belief that human nature allows humans to exist in or progress toward such a non-coercive society, and a suggestion on how to act to pursue the ideal of anarchy.History Pre-modern era Before the creation of towns and cities, established authority did not exist.It was after the institution of authority that anarchistic ideas were espoused as a reaction.The most notable precursors to anarchism in the ancient world were in China and Greece.In China, philosophical anarchism (the discussion on the legitimacy of the state) was delineated by Taoist philosophers Zhuang Zhou and Laozi.Alongside Stoicism, Taoism has been said to have had "significant anticipations" of anarchism.Anarchic attitudes were also articulated by tragedians and philosophers in Greece.Aeschylus and Sophocles used the myth of Antigone to illustrate the conflict between laws imposed by the state and personal autonomy.Socrates questioned Athenian authorities constantly and insisted on the right of individual freedom of conscience.