5 Practical Approaches to Applying Agorism in Your Life

Agorism is an anarchist philosophy and strategy that advocates for the use of voluntary exchange, counter-economics, and decentralized technologies as means of creating a free and peaceful society. It is based on the conviction that the individual has the right to make their own decisions without interference from government or other central authorities. Anyone who has ever bought or sold something at a flea market or paid a friend or acquaintance directly for a service has already encountered these principles in their own life.

But how exactly can we integrate this philosophy more intensively into our lives? We have compiled five steps that each of us can implement with a little time and preparation.

Step 1: Educate Yourself

The first step on the path to an agorist lifestyle is to familiarize yourself with the principles and ideas of agorism. Read books and articles on this site as well as from authors such as Samuel Konkin and Derrick Broze. Listen to podcasts and watch videos that discuss the concept of agorism and its application in everyday life. The more you know about agorism, the better you can implement it in your own life.

Inform yourself about the mechanisms of our society. Try to get an overview of what your money and taxes are used for and which organizations and people you are thereby supporting. Ultimately, agorism means thinking things through to their conclusion yourself. If you are clear about your personal values and principles, you have a solid foundation for your life decisions. The second step is an independent and self-critical engagement with our society. This applies to all areas of life, from education and politics to the media and healthcare. We live in a society in which central institutions such as the federal government, the WHO, or Bertelsmann tell us how we should live and think in these areas. On our site you will already find a detailed examination of the German media landscape and the state school system from this perspective. Critically examine the basis on which you make your life decisions. Where do you get your information, who are the decision-makers and how are they financed? What self-interests do these sources have and who do they work with? Does that align with your own convictions?

Step 2: Exit Socio-Political Systems That Do Not Align with Your Own Values and Principles

A fundamental idea of agorism is the rejection of immoral, centrally controlled systems. This means turning away as much as possible from programs, organizations, and services that are implemented on the basis of violence and coercion and do not correspond to your own values and principles.

However, since there is no place in this world that has not fallen under the pervasive belief in the state, you must always at least partially submit to the rules and laws of an illegitimate state group of rulers. A complete exit from immoral systems is therefore not possible. Anyone who does not live as a hermit and self-sufficient person in nature is forced to participate in the statist society, pay taxes, and follow the latest rules and laws to the extent that no difficulties arise with the state executive. In times of increasingly totalitarian regimes and surveillance of the population, this will probably not get easier. Nevertheless, we have some options.

Instead of working directly for the state and actively supporting this system based on violence and coercion, you should look for a job that better matches your values, or become self-employed. We are aware that this can be a very difficult undertaking for some due to financial reasons. Just proceed step by step and explore your options. Do not rely on the state healthcare system, but inform yourself about alternative methods and seek other opinions. Cancel your subscriptions to the major media outlets that actively shape this sick society. It is best not to watch television at all and to actively inform yourself on the internet. Even though the rulers who want to determine the narrative of the population do not stop even at the internet with their censorship madness, you can still find numerous decentralized and free pieces of information on the various internet platforms.

You can also turn away from other centralized systems such as banking and finance. The traditional banking system is designed to make banks and governments richer and to put individuals in unequal dependencies. Try to avoid loans from banks and invest your money elsewhere. Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Monero are an alternative: they are decentralized, secure, and at least freer from state control. With cryptocurrencies you can shop, transfer money, and store value without relying on central intermediaries. You will find plenty of information about this on the internet, and now that you have canceled all your subscriptions to Netflix, SZ, Zeit, etc., you will even find time to do your own research.

The fundamental goal of your actions should be to reduce your dependence on central institutions and take your life into your own hands.

Step 3: Practice Counter-Economics

Counter-economics refers to the practice of voluntary exchange that takes place outside the watchful eye of the state. This includes the peaceful barter of goods and services of any kind that is not influenced by state regulations or taxation. These activities are implemented voluntarily by all business partners and do not deliberately harm other people. When you participate in counter-economic transactions, you can support local businesses and individuals. At the same time, you live in accordance with your values and principles, because you are not participating in an immoral system by paying taxes. Did you know, for example, that almost a quarter of federal tax revenues in 2025 are attributed to the military? This means over 80 billion euros flowing into war preparations.

For example, buy your eggs, fruit, and vegetables tax-free from your local farmer. This supports your neighborhood and does not finance immoral systems. If you offer or use handcraft services yourself, suggest on appropriate occasions to waive the tax. This is usually a win-win situation for both parties and works in the hotel trade, individual shops, and crafts almost everywhere. Act according to your own ideas and think like a counter-economist!

Step 4: Use Decentralized Technologies

In addition to counter-economics, you can also support decentralized marketplaces and peer-to-peer networks. Even if there are not yet adequate platforms in Europe like those in America (Open Bazaar & Bitmarkets), it is only a matter of time before such platforms also develop in Europe due to increasing regulation. They allow users to buy and sell goods and services without requiring a central authority. By using these platforms, small businesses and independent sellers can be supported. At the same time, you take control of your purchasing decisions.

Decentralized technologies are instruments that allow individuals to communicate with each other, exchange value, and interact without requiring central intermediaries. These include blockchain technology, peer-to-peer networks, and decentralized social media platforms. By using these technologies, you can reduce your dependence on central authorities and take control of your data and your online identity. There are now companies that specialize in providing smartphones and laptops with privacy-friendly operating systems and applications to give users more control over their data. Avoid voice-controlled smart home systems in your household, as these provide big tech companies with even more data about the usage behavior of their consumers.

Step 5: Build an Agorist Network

For the successful application of the agorist philosophy in one’s own daily life, building a support network of like-minded people is of crucial importance. This can be done by joining online communities, attending meetings, or founding your own local group. By joining together with like-minded people, ideas can be exchanged, you can learn from each other, and support each other on the path to autonomy.

A support network is particularly important when facing challenges and obstacles. For example, it can be risky and in some cases illegal to engage in counter-economics. Therefore, it is important to have a network of people who can offer advice and support. Moreover, some decentralized technologies can be difficult to use or require technical knowledge. In such cases, it can be advantageous to be able to fall back on a community of users. There can also be artificially created emergency situations, such as wars, lockdowns, or blackouts. In such times, it is particularly advisable to have a reliable circle of friends who support you with advice and action.

One example is the website freedomcells.org, which is dedicated to promoting and organizing decentralized, autonomous groups. These “Freedom Cells” are designed to be self-organizing, self-sufficient, and based on the principles of mutual aid, voluntary association, and non-aggression. The goal is to create a freer and more just society. The website offers a platform where individuals and groups can network, collaborate, and share resources to support these goals. Although this concept originally comes from the USA, there are now also Freedom Cells in many cities in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

The website is user-friendly and offers a wealth of resources for getting involved in the Freedom Cell network. Whether you are an experienced activist or simply want to connect with like-minded people.

Agorism offers a strong alternative to the centralized systems that dominate modern society. By exiting the central system, practicing counter-economics, and using decentralized technologies, the individual can take control of their own life and build a more peaceful and free society. However, applying agorism in daily life requires education, dedication, and support. By following the steps described in this article, you can begin your agorist journey and help create a freer and more peaceful world.