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Multiple realities
(covers information from several alternate timelines)

Anarchy, literally a system without rulers, was the absence of political governance. An advocate of anarchy was called an anarchist. While social theories of anarchy held that it could result in societal harmony, the term was often used as a slang meaning disordered social chaos.

One of Riva's chorus described himself as representing "the anarchy of lust" in Riva's person. (TNG: "Loud As A Whisper")

As a societal state[]

The Chalnoth homeworld existed in a state of anarchy, rejecting all laws and systems of government. They believed all forms of authority to be useless to them due to being strong, if not, uncivilized. Killing was commonplace in this society. (TNG: "Allegiance")

Before the intervention of John Gill, Ekosians were primitive and lived in a primitive state of anarchy. (TOS: "Patterns of Force")

Although very little is known about Aenar society, based on their habit to assign leaders only when the need arose, they might also be anarchists or close to it.

As a primitivist society[]

Societal anarchy could take the form of primitivism. Many cults, groups, and communities were founded on the philosophy of returning to a more "natural" and primitive way of life, by rejecting modern technology and the institutions of post-industrial civilization.

Dr. Sevrin and his followers led a philosophical movement with the purpose of rejecting the technologically advanced society of the Federation, to instead embrace a more primitive lifestyle. He and his cult hijacked the starship Aurora in search of the mythical planet, Eden. (TOS: "The Way to Eden")

The Neo-Transcendentalists who inhabited Bringloid V adhere to a philosophy advocating for the return to a less technologically driven lifestyle, with an emphasis on self-reliance and nature. (TNG: "Up The Long Ladder")

In 2360, the colonists abroad the ship, SS Santa Maria, whose original destination was Gemulon V, were deliberately misled by Alixus to the remote planet, Orellius where she deceived and manipulated the colonists into accepting her desire for a technology-free society. Alixus secretly sabotaged the colony ship using a duonetic field, causing the failure of the life support system and forcing the ship to crash land on Orellius, a remote planet which she had previously and secretly selected as the perfect site for her technology-free colony. Believing that Humans had become fat, lazy, and dull as a result of technology, Alixus hoped that her solution may help Humanity return to its "core identities" because she believed that "man has lost touch with his true power." (DS9: "Paradise")

As a breakdown of order[]

Anarchy was often thought of as the undesirable outcome of a breakdown in law and order. (TNG: "Frame of Mind")

In an alternate reality where Nazi Germany had invaded the United States, Winston Churchill framed the importance to continue fighting as by stating that "It must be world anarchy or world order." (ENT: "Storm Front")

In 2268, after observing the state of society on Sigma Iotia II, Spock deduced that it had to become united, or else descend into total anarchy. (TOS: "A Piece of the Action")

After Kirk suggested to the Providers of Triskelion that they free the Thralls, one of the providers argued that this would mean anarchy, and therefore starvation. Kirk then countered that the Thralls should form a self-governing culture. (TOS: "The Gamesters of Triskelion")

After the collapse of government on Tilonus IV, Jean-Luc Picard described the planet as being in a state of total anarchy. (TNG: "Frame of Mind")

In 2368, a Borg cube traveling through the Nekrit Expanse failed, and a number of survivors managed to transport to a nearby planet. They started regaining their memories, and old conflicts between the many species represented flared up again. The situation got out of hand, until those opposed to the conflict described it as anarchy. (VOY: "Unity")

Kai Winn Adami was concerned that Bajor would descend into anarchy and chaos if Shakaar Edon did not return the soil reclamators he had refused to give back to the Provisional Government in late 2371. (DS9: "Shakaar")

Similary, Bahrat lamented in 2373 that if he left a murder unpunished, his station would descend in a state of anarchy within a day. (VOY: "Fair Trade")

The Q Continuum chose social order over anarchy. (VOY: "Death Wish")

Although never stated as such, the failed Federation colony of Turkana IV could be considered to exist in a state of anarchy following its descent into civil war and lawlessness beginning in the 2330s.

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