Hopeful Stories of Communities Organizing

Self-government only works if people organize

 

The practice of self-government was and remains an experiment.

Abraham Lincoln outlined the stakes of the democratic project well when he wrote that our task has "always been to prove that such an experiment can endure."

At this pivotal point in history, our task, once again, is to prove that popular government is not an absurdity, for "if we fail, it will go far to prove the incapability of the people to govern themselves."

None can say if it is in our inherent human nature to collaborate or dominate, but one can certainly claim that the complexity of our modern world is far beyond what our ancestors were naturally given the tools to navigate.

Navigating the complex financial, social, political and emotional dynamics of governance in a global world, with cities of millions and geographic expanses that take a lifetime to cross on foot, is beyond the capacity we are born with.

The conclusion to draw is not that we should give up, but that popular governance in an increasingly complex world requires increasingly intentional education. In short, having freedom takes work, and it takes education.

The standard answer to solving the crises we find ourselves in is that we need better leaders.

The real answer is that we need better citizens.

If we truly want the liberty that our ancestors around the world fought for and if we want to realize the vision of a government of, by and for the people, then we must be willing to teach ourselves and future generations how to shoulder this responsibility.

What, then, must we do? How do we get there?

Good citizens deliberate, listen, negotiate, build consensus and take responsibility to create things of public value together. Those are not easy skills, but they are arguably the most important in a society that wishes to develop a democratic culture.

At a time when we need a return of the citizen movement, it is critical to teach these skills and give people the chance to practice them.

So, we are left with the question: How do we teach people the skills needed to be democratic?

We must invest in civic education.

Good citizens deliberate, listen, negotiate, build consensus and take responsibility to create things of public value together.

Those skills take time, energy and intentional effort to develop in ways that promote awareness of power and how it operates.

It is about rebuilding a culture of "asocianismo" or associations, like I experienced with the cooperatives in Barcelona, Spain. One woman in the co-operative expressed her motivation, "We fight for our rights because who else would?"

We need to build democratic institutions by creating places that foster civic relationships.

Americans typically entered associations not because they had strong, preexisting civic commitments, but because of their economic needs, religious beliefs, social ties and personal identities. The unions, fraternal associations, churches, and synagogues they joined then turned them into active citizens.

Examples of associations that empower people are The Ateneus of Catalonia, Abahlali base Mjondolo's political education in South Africa, unions in the United States, Freedom Schools in the Jim Crow South, the Homeowners Associations in the Philippines, churches in the Civil Rights Movement, Community Service Organizations in California and Comunidades de Base, or base communities in the Catholic Church.

Those institutions, schools, neighborhood associations, Ateneus, civic associations and churches that still mediate between individuals and the social, economic and cultural pressures we face need to learn how to federate.

To be effective, we need to be part of federations, built of strong and independent local organizations that are then capable of linking together when needed to take larger action.

Cameron Conner
The Fig Tree Columnist