There’s no “anarchist state” – or even a potential “anarchist state” – any more than there’s an “atheist church.” Atheism is the belief that there is no god or gods. You can be an atheist without bombing churches or murdering priests, even if you believe the world would be a better place without either. Atheism does not advance its own theories about ethics. Atheism simply says, “All this stuff about gods? It doesn’t make any sense, does it?”

Similarly, anarchism is the belief that there is no State. By “State,” I mean “some independent body of law that limits the unjust use of power.” There is no such animal. I can’t sum up my entire argument in a blawg’s comment box, but, in brief: (A) what we call the State is not a singular entity but a network of agencies with different agendas; (B) the State is no more immune to human folly than the humans it governs; (C) the State is a concentration of power, not a bulwark against it.

My ultimate point: we are already living in anarchy. We are already living in the world that you predict anarchy would turn into – a world where the biggest gang has grabbed all the guns and cowed everyone they can’t shoot. That’s the state of affairs right now. Anarchism, as a philosophy, simply exposes that. Anarchism states that the idea of Power Subservient to Justice – a/k/a, a benevolent State – is a myth.

- John Perich AKA Professor Coldheart,
via the comments section @ Who is IOZ?