,ROJAVA 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,CRIME?,9C4 

,TEXT 3 

,DEMOCRACY & ,COMMUNE2 ,?IS & ,?AT 

  
  

,DEMOCRACY3 0A SY/EM ( GOV]NM5T 9 :I* ALL ! PEOPLE ( A /ATE OR POLITY444 >E 9VOLV$ 9 MAK+ DECISIONS AB\T ITS AFFAIRS1 TYPICALLY BY VOT+ TO ELECT REPRES5TATIVES TO A P>LIAM5T OR SIMIL> ASSEMBLY10 7A37 0GOV]NM5T BY ! PEOPLE2 ESPECIALLY3 RULE ( ! MAJORITY0 7B37 0A GOV]NM5T 9 :I* ! SUPREME P[] IS VE/$ 9 ! PEOPLE & EX]CIS$ BY !M DIRECTLY OR 9DIRECTLY ?R\< A SY/EM ( REPRES5TATION USUALLY 9VOLV+ P]IODICALLY HELD FREE ELECTIONS40 --,OX=D ,5GLI% ,DICTION>Y  
  

,I HATE DEMOCRACY4 ,& ,I HATE ORGANIZATIONS1 ESPECIALLY COMMUNES4 ,YET1 ,I FAVOR ! ORGANIZATION ( DEMOCRATIC COMMUNES4 

,?IS 

  

,DEMOCRACY IS ALWAYS AB\T M$IATION4 ,:E!R IT SEP>ATES ! SUBJECT FROM DECISION-MAK+1 SEP>ATES ! SUBJECT FROM H]SELF1 OR FUNCTIONS AS AN EXCUSE = GRAFT & FRAUD4 ,DEMOCRACY /&S 9 ! WAY ( ! 9DIVIDUAL1 BLOCKS UNM$IAT$ COMMUNICATION BY IMPOS+ ! REQUIREM5T ( /RUCTURE--AN \TCOME1 A DECISION4 ,& :5 A DECISION IS REA*$1 IT IS USUALLY >RIV$ AT BY ! MO/ BANAL & RU?LESS ME?OD EV] DEVIS$3 ! VOTE--! TYRANNY ( ! MAJORITY4 

,AN>*ISM HAS HAD A MIX$ HI/ORY ( CRITICISM REG>D+ DEMOCRACY4 ,ETI5NE DE ,LA ,BOETIE 9 HIS ,DISC\RS LAYS \T A FIR/ L9E ( 9QUIRY BY WOND]+ :Y IT IS ?AT PEOPLE ALL[ !MSELVES TO BE GOV]N$ AT ALL--& AS HE EXPLORES ! PROBLEM1 HE PO9TS \T ?AT IT SEEMS NOT TO MATT] :E!R A TYRANT IS *OS5 BY =CE ( >MS1 BY 9H]ITANCE1 OR BY ! VOTE4 0,= AL?\< ! MEANS ( COM+ 9TO P[] DIFF]1 /ILL ! ME?OD ( RUL+ IS PRACTICALLY ! SAME2 ?OSE :O >E ELECT$ ACT AS IF !Y W]E BREAK+ 9 BULLOCKS2 ?OSE :O >E CONQU]ORS MAKE ! PEOPLE !IR PREY2 ?OSE :O >E HEIRS PLAN TO TREAT !M AS IF !Y W]E !IR NATURAL SLAVES40 .<#a.> ,& IT MI<T BE ADD$ ?AT ! SUBJECT POPULATION SUBMITS TO SU* ABUSE )\T QUE/ION & LITTLE CONTE/ATION4 ,LA ,BOETIE'S TREATISE IS TRULY PRESCI5T2 WRITT5 9 7R\<LY7 #a#e#e#c--A FULL #be YE>S BE=E ! EM]G5CE ( ! MOD]N NATION-/ATE--IT CONTEMPLATES EXACTLY ! TYPE ( UNBRIDL$ W>1 OPPRESSION1 & T]ROR ?AT DEMOCRATICALLY ELECT$ GOV]NM5TS W]E TO UNLEA% ON SUBJECT POPULATIONS1 & EA* O!R4 

,P[] CANNOT EXI/ 9 /ASIS2 IT FUNCTIONS AS A RESULT ( FL[S BETWE5 & AMONG 9/ITUTIONS & 9DIVIDUALS4 ,! MON>*S ( ,EUROPE LE>N$ ?IS LESSON ! H>D WAY DUR+ ! UPHEAVALS ( #ahdh AS !Y WAT*$ !IR RESPECTIVE REGIMES DIS9TEGRATE ONE AFT] ! O!R4 ,) DEMOCRACY CAME ! CALCULATION ( EX*ANGE--ONE IOTA ( P[] GIV5 TO A CITIZ5 VIA ! VOTE--CONC5TRAT+ A VA/ QUANTITY ( P[] 9 LEGISLATURE1 EXECUTIVE1 & JUDICI>Y4 ,IT'S UNSURPRIS+ ?AT POLITICAL SY/EMS BEGAN TO APPLY EQUATIONS ( P[] & EX*ANGE AT ! SAME TIME ?AT 9 ! ECONOMIC REALM ,CAPITAL WAS 9TRODUC+ SIMIL> EQUATIONS 9 ORD] TO USURP LABOR-TIME 9 TRADE = SURVIVAL4 ,FUR!R1 SU* AN EX*ANGE TIES ! POPULATION ALL ?AT MU* CLOS] TO ! RUL]S4 ,VANEIGEM ILLU/RATES ! ME*ANISM ?US3 0,SLAVES >E NOT WILL+ SLAVES = LONG IF !Y >E NOT COMP5SAT$ = !IR SUBMISSION BY A %R$ ( P[]3 ALL SUBJECTION 5TAILS ! RI<T TO A MEASURE ( P[]1 & !RE IS NO SU* ?+ AS P[] ?AT DOES NOT EMBODY A DEGREE ( SUBMISSION40 .<#b.> 

,IT WAS ,PR\DHON :O HAD ! MO/ V>I$ 9T]ACTION ) DEMOCRACY1 BO? !ORETICALLY & PRACTICALLY4 ,HIS C>E] 9CLUD$ WRIT+ & PUBLI%+ TOMES ( CRITICAL ANALYSIS D5\NC+ DEMOCRACY1 RUNN+ = ELECT$ (FICE1 S]V+ 9 ! ,NATIONAL ,ASSEMBLY DUR+ ! #ahdh ,REVOLUTION1 & F9ALLY RETURN+ TO HIS ORIG9AL REJECTION ( VOT+ & REPRES5TATION4 ,HE ALT]NATELY URG$ HIS READ]S TO AB/A9 FROM VOT+1 !N TO VOTE1 !N TO AB/A9 FROM VOT+ 7AGA971 & F9ALLY TO CA/ BLANK BALLOTS TO PROTE/ VOT+4 

,PR\DHON UNLEA%$ A NUMB] ( CRITIQUES ON DEMOCRACY4 ,! CRITICAL PRISMS HE US$ V>Y FROM ! PURELY PSY*OLOGICAL TO ! EMPIRICAL1 & ! T>GETS ( HIS B>BS SPAN ! 5TIRE M5AG]IE ( DEMOCRATIC PLATITUDES FROM SOV]EIGNTY TO ! MY? ( 0,! ,PEOPLE0 TO ! REALPOLITIK ( H[ LEGISLATURES OP]ATE4 ,( 9T]E/ IS HIS CRITICAL ANALYSIS ( ! DEMOCRATIC DECISION-MAK+ PROCESS ITSELF4 ,HE SCRUT9IZES ! ME*ANISM ( ! VOTE & ITS \TCOME1 SPECIFICALLY MAJORITY RULE3 0,DEMOCRACY IS NO?+ BUT ! TYRANNY ( MAJORITIES1 ! MO/ EXECRABLE TYRANNY ( ALL1 = IT IS NOT BAS$ ON ! AU?ORITY ( A RELIGION1 NOR ON A NOBILITY ( BLOOD1 NOR ON ! PR]OGATIVES ( =TUNE3 IT HAS NUMB] AS ITS BASE1 & = A MASK ! NAME ( ! ,PEOPLE40 .<#c.> 

,BUT ,PR\DHON DOESN'T F9I% !RE4 ,HE PROTE/S ?AT ?OSE LEFT 9 ! M9ORITY >E =C$ BY CIRCUM/ANCE TO FOLL[ ! WILL ( ! MAJORITY--A SITUATION HE F9DS UNT5ABLE1 NOT ONLY = ! EXPLICIT CO]CION1 BUT ALSO BECAUSE ?OSE 9 ! M9ORITY >E =C$ TO ABJURE !IR IDEAS & BELIEFS 9 FAVOR ( ?OSE :O OPPOSE !M4 ,?IS1 HE NOTES WRYLY1 MAKES S5SE ONLY :5 POLITICAL VIEWS >E SO LOOSELY HELD BY 9DIVIDUALS SO AS TO H>DLY BE WOR?Y ( ! NAME4 ,ANALYZ+ ! SAME SC5>IO1 ,WILLIAM ,GODW9 DECL>ES1 0NO?+ CAN MORE DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTE TO ! DEPRIVATION ( ! HUMAN UND]/&+ & *>ACT]0 ?AN TO REQUIRE PEOPLE TO ACT CONTR>Y TO !IR [N REASON4 ,A CONCLUSION PROV5 EMPIRICALLY :5 ONE CONDUCTS EV5 ! MO/ RUDIM5T>Y SURVEY ( REPRES5TATIVE GOV]NM5T & ITS EFFECTS ON HUMANITY OV] ! C\RSE ( ! PA/ #be YE>S4 

,9 CONCLUSION3 = AN AN>*I/1 = MYSELF1 DEMOCRACY--AS A SY/EM ( SELF-GOV]NANCE1 AS A DECISION-MAK+ TOOL1 AS AN IDEAL--IS UTT]LY DEVOID ( R$EEM+ VALUE4 ,IT FUNCTIONS AS A MASK = CO]CION1 MAK+ HORROR PALATABLE :ILE PRODUC+ UNBE>ABLE CONSEQU5CES = ! 9DIVIDUAL1 = ! SPECIES1 & = ! PLANET4 ,A DEAD 5D4 

,?AT 

  

,IT IS AT ?IS PO9T ?AT MO/ AN>*I/S & CRITICAL !ORI/S BEG9 BACKP$AL+1 SOME SL[LY 7LIKE ,PR\DHON7 & O!RS RAPIDLY 7LIKE ,BOOK*974 ,HI/ORICALLY1 !ORI/S HAVE (F]$ A SCA?+ CRITIQUE ( DEMOCRACY & !N IMM$IATELY DIGRESS$1 /AT+ ?AT ! REPRES5TATIVE =M ( DEMOCRACY AS CONCEIV$ BY B\RGEOIS 7OR SOCIALI/7 SOCIETY ISN'T REALLY DEMOCRACY4 ,?AT REAL DEMOCRACY IS REFLECT$ 9 SOME O!R =M--= ,PR\DHON1 DELEGAT$ DEMOCRACY1 = ,BOOK*91 ! ,GREEK CITY-/ATES OR ! ,HELVETICAN ,CONF$]ATION4 ,! >GUM5T !N BECOMES ?AT DEMOCRACY CAN 7& %\LD7 BE RECUP]AT$ .<#d.> BY ! ,LEFT AS A WORKABLE =M4 

,MY [N CRITIQUE VE]S WILDLY (F C\RSE AT ?IS PO9T1 HAV+ BE5 SKEW$ BY EMPIRICAL OBS]VATION ( AN ALT]NATE =M ( DEMOCRATIC PRACTICE4 ,I'VE REC5TLY RETURN$ FROM ! ,KURDI% ,AUTONOM\S ,REGION 9 ,NOR!RN ,SYRIA1 KN[N AS ,ROJAVA1 :]E ,I HAD ! OPPORTUNITY TO OBS]VE A UNIQUE =M ( DEMOCRACY IMPLEM5T$ BY A REVOLUTION>Y LIB]T>IAN SOCIAL MOVEM5T4 

,SOME !ORETICAL CONTEXT3 9 #a#i#i#i1 ,ABDULLAH ,OCALAN1 ! HEAD ( ! ,P>TIYA ,K>K]5 ,KURDI/ANE 7,P,K,K1 ! ,KURDI/AN ,WORK]'S ,P>TY7 WAS CAPTUR$ BY ,TURKI% ,SECURITY ,=CES1 ) ASSI/ANCE FROM ! ,C,I,A & ,ISRAEL'S ,MOSSAD4 ,DODG+ A FIR+ SQUAD1 HE WAS EV5TUALLY S5T5C$ TO AGGRAVAT$ LIFE IMPRISONM5T--& ?AT'S :]E ?+S GET 9T]E/+4 ,RA!R ?AN MAK+ LIC5SE PLATES OR WORK+ 9 ! LAUNDRY1 ,OCALAN BEGAN ! LONG SL[ 9TELLECTUAL J\RNEY \T ( ,M>XI/-,L59I/ GIBB]I% 9TO SOME PRETTY DURABLE AN>*I/ !ORY4 ,HE EV5TUALLY PUBLI%$ HIS IDEAS 9 SEV]AL WORKS 9CLUD+ ,DEMOCRATIC ,CONF$]ALISM1 ,W> & ,PEACE 9 ,KURDI/AN1 & A MULTI-VOLUME TOME ON CIVILIZATION1 P>TICUL>LY ! ,MIDDLE ,EA/ & ,ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS4 ,9 HIS WRIT+1 ,OCALAN DOES :AT NO ONE 9 ! CONTEMPOR>Y ,NOR? ,AM]ICAN AN>*I/ MILIEU IS EV5 WILL+ TO ?9K--HE CON/RUCTS1 ALBEIT VAGUELY1 A BLUEPR9T = A LIB]T>IAN SOCIETY4 ,?IS SIMPLE EX]CISE1 CONT5T ASIDE1 IS 9CR$IBLE4 ,HIS 5GAGEM5T RESEMBLES F> MORE ! UTOPIAN SOCIALI/ PROJECT ( ! E>LY #a#i? ,C5TURY ?AN ANY ( ! 5SU+ !ORETICS ASSOCIAT$ ) SOCIAL CONTE/ATION1 ESPECIALLY ,M>XISM & WORK+ CLASS AN>*ISM2 9DE$1 HIS SIL5CE ON CLASS ANALYSIS1 ,M>XI/ TELEOLOGY1 HI/ORICAL MAT]IALISM1 & SYNDICALISM IS DEAF5+4 ,OCALAN IS CLE> 9 HIS TASK :5 HE /ATES1 9 0,! ,PR9CIPLES ( ,DEMOCRATIC ,CONF$]ALISM10 ?AT 0,DEMOCRATIC CONF$]ALISM IS A NON-/ATE SOCIAL P>ADIGM4 ,IT IS NOT CONTROLL$ BY A /ATE4 ,AT ! SAME TIME1 DEMOCRATIC CONF$]ALISM IS ! CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONAL BLUEPR9T ( A DEMOCRATIC NATION4 0 .<EMPHASIS M9E.> .<#e.> 

,AS IMPLI$ 9 ! NAME1 !RE IS A GREAT RELIANCE ON DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES 9 ! SY/EM KN[N AS ,DEMOCRATIC ,CONF$]ALISM4 ,YET ,OCALAN IS SIL5T AB\T ! DEF9ITION ( DEMOCRACY--HE NEV] (F]S ONE--& IT'S IMPLEM5TATION3 HE NEV] DISCUSSES IT ) ANY SPECIFICITY4 ,9 FACT1 DEMOCRACY IS PRES5T$ AS A GIV51 AS A DECISION-MAK+ PROCESS1 AS AN APPROA* TO SELF-ADM9I/RATION1 & LITTLE ELSE4 ,!RE IS NO FAVOR+ ( VOT+ V]SUS CONS5SUS-BAS$ MODELS1 NOR DOES HE DESCRIBE 9 ANY DETAIL OR AT ANY LEVEL 7COMMUNAL1 CANTONAL1 REGIONAL7 ! =MS ?AT HE =ESEES DEMOCRACY TAK+4 ,= EXAMPLE1 0.<,DEMOCRATIC ,CONF$]ALISM.> CAN BE CALL$ A NON-/ATE POLITICAL ADM9I/RATION OR A DEMOCRACY )\T A /ATE4 ,DEMOCRATIC DECISION-MAK+ PROCESSES MU/ NOT BE CONFUS$ ) ! PROCESSES KN[N FROM PUBLIC ADM9I/RATION4 ,/ATES ONLY ADM9I/RATE .<SIC.> :ILE DEMOCRACIES GOV]N4 ,/ATES >E F\ND$ ON P[]2 DEMOCRACIES >E BAS$ ON COLLECTIVE CONS5SUS40 ,HE EXP&S ON :AT HE MEANS BY 0DECISION-MAK+ PROCESSES0 9 0,! ,PR9CIPLES ( ,DEMOCRATIC ,CONF$]ALISM03 0,DEMOCRATIC ,CONF$]ALISM IS BAS$ ON GRASS-ROOTS P>TICIPATION4 ,ITS DECISION-MAK+ PROCESSES LIE ) ! COMMUNITIES40 ,FAIR 5\<4 ,SO H[ DOES ALL ?IS PLAY \T 9 ,ROJAVA8 ,9 O!R WORDS1 H[ >E ,OCALAN'S IDEAS BE+ TRANSLAT$ 9TO REVOLUTION>Y 9/ITUTIONS8 

,I GA9$ MY FIR/ 9SI<T 9TO DEMOCRACY 9 ,ROJAVA OV] A PLATE ( HUMMUS & PITA 9 D[NT[N ,KOBANI4 ,I WAS SITT+ ) ,MR4 ,%AIKO1 A ,T,E,V-,D,E,M 7,TEVG]A ,CIVAKA ,DEMOKRATIK1 ,MOVEM5T = A ,DEMOCRATIC ,SOCIETY7 REPRES5TATIVE ON A W>M1 DU/Y AFT]NOON1 SOME ?REE DAYS AFT] WE HAD ATT5D$ A COMMUNE MEET+ TOGE!R4 ,9 ?AT MEET+1 ( ! C\NCIL ( ,SEHID ,KAWA ,C COMMUNE1 ,MR4 ,%AIKO HAD RAIS$ ! ISSUE ( COMMUNE B\ND>IES & P]HAPS MOV+ !M TO ACC\NT = ! NUMB] ( PEOPLE RETURN+ TO ! RUBBL$1 V5]ABLE HULK ?AT IS ,KOBANI4 ,AFT] SOME DISCUSSION1 ,MR4 ,%AIKO LEFT ! MEET+1 REQUE/+ A PHONE CALL TO LET HIM KN[ :AT !Y DECID$4 

0,SO10 ,I ASK$ ,MR4 ,%AIKO1 0,:AT HAPP5$ ) ! COMMUNE8 ,DID !Y CALL80 

0,NO1 NO DECISION YET40 

0,OH1 DO !Y NE$ TO GIVE ONE80 

0,NO1 !Y'LL DECIDE :5 !Y'RE READY4 ,?AT'S H[ IT IS10 ,MR4 ,%AIKO LOOK$ AT ME OV] HIS GLASSES ) A HALF-GR9 & !N RETURN$ TO ! PLATE ( PITA & HUMMUS4 

,?IS IS CLE>LY A DIV]G5T VIEW ( DEMOCRATIC DECISION-MAK+1 9 :I* NO CONCLUSIVE RESULT IS AS VALID A RESPONSE AS A 0YES0 OR A 0NO40 ,:ILE ,I ONLY SAW ?IS ADJU/M5T TO DEMOCRATIC DECISION-MAK+ 9 OP]ATION A FEW TIMES IT SEEMS TO BE FAIRLY COMMON1 ESPECIALLY ) ! ,T,E,V-,D,E,M FOLKS :OSE *>GE IS IMPLEM5T+ DEMOCRATIC CONF$]ALISM4 ,IT IS ALSO AN 9T]E/+ 0FIX0 APPLI$ TO ! ISSUE ( DECISION-MAK+ PROCESSES4 ,9 A S5SE1 IT NEGATES ! DEMOCRATIC PROCESS 9 FAVOR ( DISC\RSE1 >GUM5T1 & 5GAGEM5T1 )\T ! CONCOMITANT REQUIREM5T ( AN \TCOME4 

,! RESPONSE ( ! REVOLUTION>IES TO ! TYRANNY ( MAJORITY RULE HAS BE5 /RUCTURAL RA!R ?AN DIRECTIVE4 ,H]E1 ,OCALAN DESCRIBES HIS VIEWS ON A PLURAL SOCIETY & \TL9ES H[ HE PLANS TO WEAK5 OR SUBSUME MAJORITY RULE3 0,9 CONTRA/ TO A C5TRALI/ & BUREAUCRATIC UND]/&+ ( ADM9I/RATION & EX]CISE ( P[] CONF$]ALISM POSES A TYPE ( POLITICAL SELF-ADM9I/RATION :]E ALL GR\PS ( ! SOCIETY & ALL CULTURAL ID5TITIES CAN EXPRESS !MSELVES 9 LOCAL MEET+S1 G5]AL CONV5TIONS & C\NCILS444 ,WE DO NOT NE$ BIG !ORIES H]E1 :AT WE NE$ IS ! WILL TO L5D EXPRESSION TO444 SOCIAL NE$S BY /R5G!N+ ! AUTONOMY ( ! SOCIAL ACTORS /RUCTURALLY & BY CREAT+ ! CONDITIONS = ! ORGANIZATION ( ! SOCIETY AS A :OLE4 ,! CREATION ( AN OP]ATIONAL LEVEL :]E ALL K9DS ( SOCIAL & POLITICAL GR\PS1 RELIGI\S COMMUNITIES1 OR 9TELLECTUAL T5D5CIES CAN EXPRESS !MSELVES DIRECTLY 9 ALL LOCAL DECISION-MAK+ PROCESSES CAN ALSO BE CALL$ P>TICIPATIVE DEMOCRACY40 

,SO = ! REVOLUTION>IES ! =MATION1 GR[? & PROLIF]ATION ( ALL TYPES ( 0SOCIAL ACTORS0--COMMUNES1 C\NCILS1 CONSULTATIVE BODIES1 ORGANIZATIONS & EV5 MILITIAS--IS TO BE WELCOM$1 & 5C\RAG$4 

,?IS PLAYS \T 9 ,ROJAVA 9 A PAT*WORK QUILT ( ORGANIZATIONS1 9T]E/S1 LOCAL COLLECTIVES1 RELIGI\S AFFILIATES1 &444 FLAGS4 ,= EXAMPLE1 ,T,E,V-,D,E,M1 ! UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION *>G$ ) IMPLEM5T+ DEMOCRATIC SELF-ADM9I/RATION1 IS ACTUALLY AN AGGLOM]ATION ( SEV]AL SMALL] ORGANIZATIONS & REPRES5TATIVES FROM POLITICAL P>TIES4 ,!SE V>I\S ORGANIZATIONS 9CLUDE GR\PS C5T]+ >\ND SPORT1 CULTURE1 RELIGION1 WOM5'S ISSUES1 & MORE4 ,= EXAMPLE1 9 ,DECEMB] ( #b#a#e1 A NEW ORGANIZATION UND] ! ,T,E,V-,D,E,M SY/EM WAS BORN--,T,E,V-,C,& ,JIHN1 :I* FOCUSES ON WOM5 & CULTURAL PRODUCTION4 ,?IS NEW ORGANIZATION IS 9 ADDITION TO ! G5]IC ,T,E,V-,C,&1 :I* FOCUSES ON SOCIETY1 G5]ALLY1 & CULTURAL PRODUCTION4 ,TO SIDE/EP ! PROBLEMS ) MAJORITY RULE1 ! REVOLUTION>IES HAVE 9TRODUC$ A /RUCTURAL CAVEAT ?AT ALL[S 9DIVIDUALS TO F9D AN ORGANIZATION ?AT SUITS !IR NE$S1 & ?R\< :I* !IR VOICE CAN BE HE>D 9 SOCIETY4 ,NOTE ?AT ,T,E,V-,D,E,M & O!RS HAVE NOT S\<T TO T9K] ) ! ACTUAL ME*ANICS ( H[ A COMMUNE OR ORGANIZATION OP]ATES OR DECIDES4 ,RA!R1 !Y HAVE *ANG$ ! SOCIAL ORD] SU* ?AT IF AN 9DIVIDUAL REFUSES TO UPHOLD A DECISION BY A GR\P1 COMMUNE OR C\NCIL1 %E ALWAYS HAS ! ABILITY TO OPT \T & F9D A MORE AM5ABLE ASSEMBLY4 

,!SE 9NOVATIONS SEEM LIKE GOOD FIR/ /EPS T[>DS TURN+ DEMOCRACY FROM A WOR?LESS ANTIQUITY 9TO A WORKABLE PR9CIPLE )9 AN>*I/ !ORY4 ,AS SU*1 !Y %\LD BE 5C\RAG$ & /UDI$4 

,?IS 

  

,MY ESSAY REG>D+ ! ORGANIZATIONAL =M & ITS V>I\S MOM5TS ( DOM9ATION1 0,! ,ORGANIZATION'S ,NEW ,CLO!S10 WAS FIR/ PUBLI%$ 9 ,FEBRU>Y ( #aihi 7& REPUBLI%$ 9 #b#a#e71 & ,I SEE NO REASON TO RETRACT ANY PORTION !RE(4 .<#f.> ,?AT CRITIQUE1 !RE=E1 RESONATES ?R\<\T ! FOLL[+ DISCUSSION1 ?\< TIME & SPACE PROHIBIT US+ IT 9 ANY WAY O!R ?AN AS A CRITICAL PRISM4 

,! COMMUNE IS A SCRAMBL$ T]M4 ,ITS ORIG9S LIE 9 ! SMALLE/ ADM9I/RATIVE 5TITY 9 ,FRANCE1 ! COMMUNE--CORRESPOND+ R\<LY TO A MUNICIPALITY4 ,! WORD ITSELF IS D]IV$ FROM ! TWELF?-C5TURY ,M$IEVAL ,LAT9 COMMUNIA1 MEAN+ A GR\P ( PEOPLE LIV+ A COMMON OR %>$ LIFE4 ,?IS IS AN 9T]E/+ PO9T ( DEP>TURE 9 ?AT1 EV5 !N1 ! CONCEPT IMPLI$ SOME DEGREE ( AUTONOMY1 BO? POLITICAL & ECONOMIC4 ,IT WAS1 H[EV]1 ! ,P>IS ,COMMUNE DUR+ ! ,FR5* ,REVOLUTION 7#a#g#h#i-#a#g#i#e7 ?AT WROTE ! T]M 9 L>GE R$ LETT]S 9 ! BOOK ( REVOLUTION4 ,9 ?AT FIR/ GREAT EXPLOSION1 ! ,COMMUN>DS DI/+UI%$ !MSELVES BY !IR 9TRANSIG5CE & DEM&S = ! ABOLITION ( PRIVATE PROP]TY & SOCIAL CLASSES1 EV5TUALLY E>N+ !MSELVES ! NICKNAME LES 5RAGES 70! 5RAG$ ONES074 

,! REVOLUTION>Y COMMUNE1 !N1 HAS A SUBV]SIVE NATURE4 ,IT IS DANG]\S4 ,IT IS ALWAYS DANG]\S :5 HUMANS 9T]ACT BEYOND ! T]RA9 ( ,CAPITAL & /ATE1 OR 9 OPPOSITION TO !M4 

,?R\<\T ! #a#i? C5TURY1 \TSIDE ! ADM9I/RATIVE NETWORK ( ,FRANCE1 ! T]M COMMUNE CAME TO BE ASSOCIAT$ ) SOCIALI/ & COMMUNI/ EXP]IM5TS &1 9 A LOOS] S5SE1 ) ALL MANN] ( UTOPIAN PROJECTS & COMMUNITIES--,[51 ,F\RI]1 ,ONEIDA1 ,AMANA1 ,MOD]N ,TIMES4 ,!RE WAS A SLUMP = A FEW DECADES ?R\< ! FIR/ P>T ( ! #b? C5TURY1 & !N1 TO CONFUSE ?+S FUR!R1 ! #a#i#fS HAPP5$4 ,! DEF9ITION ( ! WORD 0COMMUNE0 5DS = MANY ,NOR? ,AM]ICANS SOME:]E 9 #a#i#g#b1 9 A TANG]9E SWIRL ( BAD ACID1 FREE LOVE1 & ! ,MANSON ,FAMILY4 

,:I* IS NOT TO SAY ?AT !RE W]5'T SOME IMPORTANT PROJECTS4 ,AMONG ! MORE 9T]E/+ W]E ! ,WE/ ,B]L9-BAS$ ,KOMMUNE #a7#a#i#f#g-#a#i#f#i7 & ,WISCONS9'S CONTRIBUTION TO UTOPIA1 ,DREAMTIME ,VILLAGE4 ,!RE HAVE BE5 ?\S&S 7LIKELY T5S ( ?\S&S7 ( COMMUNES OV] ! PA/ TWO C5TURIES3 9T5TIONAL COMMUNITIES1 COLLECTIVES1 COOP]ATIVES1 EA* ) ITS [N 0GLUE0--! /UFF ?AT BR\<T PEOPLE TOGE!R & 0/UCK0 !M TO ONE ANO!R4 ,9 MO/ CASES1 ?IS GLUE HAS BE5 A MIX ( POLITICS1 AN>*ISM1 COMMUNISM1 UTOPIANISM1 RELIGI\S S5TIM5T 7USUALLY WACKY71 LIVELIHOOD1 NECESSITY1 DRUGS1 SEXUALITY1 OR JU/ PLA9 DETE/+ ! DOM9ANT CULTURE4 

,SO :AT1 EXACTLY1 IS A COMMUNE8 ,:O ! HELL KN[S8 ,! PROBLEM IS NOT ! VAGU5ESS ) :I* ! COMMUNE IS UND]/OOD2 RA!R1 IT'S ! LACK ( !ORY 7& EXP]I5CE7 ?AT W\LD PROVIDE NUANCE TO ?IS VAGU5ESS4 ,! IDEA ( ! COMMUNE HAS BE5 LO/ OR DILUT$ AS A RESULT ( ITS [N JANGL$ HI/ORICAL CONTEXT & ! EASILY RECUP]ABLE =MS ?AT IT HAS REC5TLY TAK54 ,ULTIMATELY1 V]Y MU* LIKE DEMOCRACY1 ! COMMUNE SEEMS A QUA9T & FAD$ RELIC 9 ! CAB9ET ( AN>*I/ !ORY1 FIL$ UND] 0,V0 = VE/IGIAL4 

,?AT 

  

,AS ABOVE1 SO BEL[4 ,MY [N RELATION ) ! ,COMMUNE SPANS SEV]AL >TICLES ON ! ,P>IS EV5TS ( #a#h#g#a1 & 9CLUDES MY ONGO+ 5GAGEM5T ) ! CONUNDRUM ( AN>*I/ ORGANIZATION4 ,ALL ( MY 9T]ACTIONS ) ! CONCEPT ( ORGANIZATIONS OP]AT+ 9 A REVOLUTION>Y CONTEXT HAD BE5 ON PAP]--9 !ORY--UNTIL ,I CROSS$ 9TO ! ,KURDI% ,AUTONOM\S ,REGION4 ,!N ?+S *ANG$4 

,! COMMUNE & C\NCIL MEET+S ,I ATT5D$ V>I$ WIDELY1 RANG+ FROM AN AD HOC 5C\NT] ( A TEAM ( ,Y,P,G MILITIAM5 NE> ! ,TURKI% BORD] 9 ,KOBANI ,CANTON TO A C\NCIL ( ! ,SEHID ,KAWA ,C COMMUNE1 TO A C]EMONY & MEET+ BETWE5 ,T,E,V-,D,E,M REPRES5TATIVES ( ,KOBANI & ,CIZIRE ,CANTON4 ,9 EA* 9/ANCE1 ,I RECALL A S]IES ( SIMIL> IMPRESSIONS4 ,FIR/1 EA* 5C\NT] WAS *>ACT]IZ$ BY A S5SE ( PURPOSE1 ( MEAN+4 ,! ATT5DEES SEEM$ CLE> ?AT :AT !Y W]E 5GAG$ 91 ! SIMPLE TASK ( MEET+ TOGE!R--AS A COMMUNE1 AS A TEAM ( ,Y,P,G FI<T]S--C>RI$ )9 IT A SE$1 A POSSIBLE FUTURE1 = ,NOR!RN ,SYRIA1 P]HAPS = ! PLANET4 ,MANY PEOPLE COMM5T$ ON ?IS :5 ,I ASK$ !IR ?\<TS REG>D+ !SE POLITICAL =MS4 ,A WOMAN ,I MET 9 ,P>IS AT AN ,H,D,P RALLY PUT IT BE/3 0,WE >E H]E RE9V5T+ POLITICS1 9 FACT1 ! WORLD40 

,?IS P]CEPTION1 :I* C\LD EASILY FO/] >ROGANCE1 SEEM$ 9/EAD TO PRODUCE A M9DSET ( QUIET DET]M9ATION 9 !SE ATT5DEES4 ,!SE FOLKS W]E NOT WEAL?Y1 !Y WORK$ H>D 9 AN >EA :]E !RE WAS LITTLE WORK4 ,! M5'S FACES W]E L9$ & ET*$ ) LONG H\RS SP5T UND] ! H>% ,MIDDLE ,EA/ SUN4 ,! H&S ( ! WOM5 W]E SIMULTANE\SLY DELICATE & R\<3 :ILE !Y BORE CALL\SES & CUTS1 !Y ALSO C>RI$ ! SC5T ( LOTION & P]FUME4 ,! VOICES1 GE/URES1 & FACES ( ! REVOLUTION>IES DUR+ ! MEET+S W]E 9T5T1 SE>*+1 S]I\S4 ,!RE WAS K9DNESS1 HUGS = A DEVELOPM5TALLY DISABL$ Y\NG ADULT1 A MOM5T SP5T ) A MO!R :O HAD LO/ A SON 9 ! SIEGE ( ,KOBANI1 & RESPECT--AS EA* P]SON SPOKE TO ! ACCOMPANIM5T ( SIL5T NODS FROM !IR PE]S4 

,!RE WAS ALSO HOPE1 A QUANTITY ?AT HI/ORY HAS SO LONG D5I$ TO AN>*I/S1 & :I* SOME ( US HAVE RECLAIM$--NOT AS AN EV5TUALITY1 BUT AS A BIR?RI<T4 ,!SE FOLKS BELIEV$ ?AT !Y C\LD *ANGE !IR LIVES1 !IR COMMUNITY2 MANY BELIEV$ !Y C\LD *ANGE 7& W]E *ANG+7 ! WORLD4 

,F9ALLY1 & MO/ IMPORTANTLY1 9 EA* ( !SE MEET+S !RE WAS AN OV]:ELM+ S5SE ( ! ORD9>Y4 ,:5 !Y M5TION$ ! CANTONAL AU?ORITY AT ALL1 !SE FOLKS REF]R$ TO IT LACONICALLY AS ! ANTI-GOV]NM5T1 OR ! ANTI-REGIME4 ,!Y HAD SE5 & P>TICIPAT$ 9 SWEEP+ SOCIAL *ANGES & EXP]IM5TATION1 & 9 ! PROCESS IT HAD BECOME COMMONPLACE1 LIKE LUN*4 ,?IS IS NOT TO SAY ?AT !RE WAS NO JOY 9 ! PROCE$+S1 F> FROM IT4 ,RA!R1 :AT WAS REALLY MISS+ WAS FE>1 & 9 ?IS S5SE ! SOCIAL REVOLUTION 9 ,ROJAVA MAY TRULY BE SAID TO HAVE PASS$ 9TO A PHASE ( MATURITY & P]MAN5CE4 ,! SOLE CONDITION 9 ! %ORT-T]M BE+ ! DEFEAT ( ,DAE%4 

,SOME !ORI/S HAVE BE5 ADVANC+ ON ! IDEA ( ! COMMUNE1 BUT FROM /RANGE DIRECTIONS1 PO/-LEFT DIRECTIONS4 ,PET] ,LAMBORN ,WILSON 9 ,! ,TEMPOR>Y ,AUTONOM\S ,ZONE 7,T,A,Z7 & ,PIRATE ,UTOPIAS =CES ! ISSUES ( TIME & FAILURE_/SUCCESS 9 REF]5CE TO ! COMMUNE4 ,HE REJECTS UTT]LY1 AS WE MU/1 ! TE*NOLOGICAL REASON+ ?AT ! LONG] A COMMUNE EXI/S ! BETT] OR MORE SUCCESSFUL IT MU/ BE4 ,9 ,T,A,Z1 HE SPECIFICALLY PROVIDES A =MULA = A NEW IDEA ( A COMMUNE1 A TEMPOR>Y 5C\NT]--P]HAPS H\RS1 P]HAPS M9UTES--*>ACT]IZ$ BY CONVIVIALITY1 JOY4 ,?IS 5C\NT] IS AUTONOM\S 9 ?AT IT IS AS 9DEP5D5T & FREE ( ! FETT]S ( ,CAPITAL & /ATE AS POSSIBLE4 ,?IS IS ESS5TIAL TO UND]/&4 ,! COMMUNE IS COMBATIVE1 NOT SUBS]VI5T4 ,?AT IS ! BASIS ( ITS AUTONOMY4 

,RA!R ?AN B\ND+ ! DEF9ITION ( ! COMMUNE OR TRY+ TO REF9E IT1 ,I BELIEVE ?AT DEFOCUS+ ! CONCEPT SEEMS A S\ND /RATEGY4 ,I W\LD >GUE ?AT :E!R IT IS A PHALAN/]E ) ALL ! ,F\RI]I/ FAUNA 9TACT1 OR A MEET+ BETWE5 FRI5DS TO RELIVE OLD TIMES OR CREATE NEW ONES1 IT DOESN'T MATT]--IT IS A COMMUNE4 ,:Y B\ND SOME?+1 :Y HEM SOME?+ 9 :5 IT PRES5TS ITSELF AS A VIABLE MODEL = ORGANIZATION8 ,RA!R1 )\T A DEF9ITION1 WE CAN MOVE ) T9Y BABY /EPS T[>DS AN UND]/&+ ( :AT WORKS & :AT IS USELESS 9 ! COMMUNE MODEL4 ,?AT /RIKES ME AS ONE PROMIS+1 POT5TIAL DIRECTION T[>DS BO? 5GAG$ SOCIAL EXP]IM5TATION & RU?LESS SOCIAL CONTE/ATION4 

,F9ALLY1 AT A MACRO-LEVEL1 ! CONCEPT ( F$]ALISM MAY MAKE A !ORETICAL COMEBACK4 ,IF ! COMMUNE MODEL MAKES ANY S5SE AT ALL1 !N F$]ALISM ISN'T V]Y F> BEH9D4 ,?IS RETURNS AN>*ISM TO ITS PHILOSOPHICAL ROOTS--,PR\DHON ESPECIALLY1 BUT ALSO ,PI I ,M>GALL & ,BAKUN94 ,! 9SURRECTION>Y POT5TIAL = F$]ALISM SEEMS VA/LY UND]E/IMAT$4 ,! MOVEM5T TO DIVIDE SOCIETY 9TO SMALL] & SMALL] UNITS1 ! F$]ATION ( !SE UNITS BY MUTUAL AGREEM5T1 & ! POT5TIAL = ECONOMIC COOP]ATION & %>$ SELF-DEF5SE MAKE F$]ALISM A POT5TIALLY DAUNT+1 ?\< RA!R BLUNT1 9/RUM5T4 ,NOTE H]E ?AT ! CURR5T USAGE ( F$]ALISM--! NATION-/ATE'S ACCUMULATION ( P[]1 WEAL?1 & KN[L$GE 9 ORD] TO CONTROL & DOM9ATE SUBJECT POPULATIONS--IS PRECISELY ! OPPOSITE ( ! CONCEPT'S /&>D HI/ORICAL DEF9ITION4 ,IT IS ,PI I ,M>GALL1 ! NON-AN>*I/ GR&FA!R ( ,SPANI% AN>*ISM1 9 HIS #ahee WORK ,LA ,REACCION Y LA ,REVOLUCION1 :O (F]S ! F9AL WORD ON ! POT5TIAL ( F$]ALISM3 0,! CON/ITUTION ( A SOCIETY )\T P[] IS ! ULTIMATE ( MY REVOLUTION>Y ASPIRATIONS10 /AT+ HE W\LD1 0DIVIDE & SUBDIVIDE P[]10 9 ORD] TO 0DE/ROY IT40 .<#g.> 

,! =MATION ( COMMUNES ALSO SEEMS A VIABLE REAL WORLD /RATEGY 9 ?AT IT FULFILLS TWO IMM$IATE FUNCTIONS4 ,FIR/1 !Y CAN ACT AS SUPPORT1 A BACKBONE = ! MOVEM5T ( MILITANTS QUICKLY TO >EAS :]E !IR S]VICES MI<T BE REQUIR$4 ,9 ?IS WAY1 !Y MAY FUNCTION V]Y MU* AS ! BOOK/ORES1 9FO%OPS1 & ALT]NATIVE SPACES DID 9 ! AN>*I/ MILIEU ( ! PA/ SEV]AL DECADES 9 ! ,U,S1 OR AS ! COMMUNES DID 9 ,KOBANI DUR+ ! SIEGE4 ,!IR RES\RCES CAN ASSI/ 9 ! PROVISION ( %ELT]1 FOOD1 M$ICAL AID1 & COM=T = FI<T]S4 ,! COMMUNES CAN ALSO PROVIDE VALUABLE 9TELLIG5CE ON LOCAL CONDITIONS1 LAW 5=CEM5T1 & ASSI/ 9 ID5TIFY+ ?OSE SPECIFIC T>GETS MO/ NOXI\S TO ! COMMUNITY4 ,PUT 9 CONTEMPOR>Y MILIT>Y P>LANCE1 ONE TYPE ( COMMUNE MAY NOT BE A WEAPON1 BUT IT CAN FUNCTION AS A WEAPONS PLAT=M = ! MOBILE AN>*I/ FI<T]S4 

,SECONDLY1 ! COMMUNES PROVIDE = ! S$5T>Y MEMB]S ( ! MILIEU A LABORATORY1 A SETT+ 9 :I* TO EXP]IM5T ) NEW IDEAS1 NEW =MS1 COALESC+1 9 PROTOPLASMIC =M1 ! SE$S ( REVOLUTION>Y 9/ITUTIONS YET TO BE4 ,COMMUNES >E NURS]IES :]E BUDD+ 9SURRECTIONS >E RE>$4 ,ANCILL>Y TO ?IS EFFECT1 YET NO LESS IMPORTANT1 IS ! POSSIBILITY ?AT COMMUNES WILL HELP TO (FSET ! ATTRITION ?AT HAS PLAGU$ AN>*ISM S9CE ITS 9CEPTION AS A POLITICAL MOVEM5T4 ,A LIFE D$ICAT$ TO LIB]TY IS DIFFICULT TO SU/A91 & MO/ AN>*I/S .<:O CAN.> EV5TUALLY SUCCUMB TO ! ,C?ULHU CALL ( NEW C>S1 BIG H\SES1 & SQU&]$ LIVES4 ,AT ! AGE ( #e#e1 ,I HAVE SE5 ?\S&S ( AN>*I/S COME & GO2 ONLY ?OSE TOO /UBBORN OR ANTI-SOCIAL1 LIKE MY FRI5DS & MYSELF1 SEEM TO REMA94 ,COMMUNES MAY /EM ?IS DRIFT BY PRODUC+ A SOCIAL MILIEU ?AT IS AM5ABLE TO ! V>I\S VAG>IES ( ! AN>*I/ P]SONALITY TYPE1 & BY DI/RIBUT+ RES\RCES = ASSI/ANCE ) ! REAL WORLD ISSUES ( FOOD1 %ELT]1 *ILDBIR? & RE>+1 LONEL9ESS1 ILLNESS1 OLD AGE & DEA?4 

,! COMMUNE IS A V]B4 ,! COMMUNE IS A QUE/ION4 

,! ,O!R ,?+ 

  

,AN>*ISM HAS BE5 ADRIFT S9CE ! 5D ( ! ,SECOND ,WORLD ,W>4 ,) LITTLE UND]/&+ ( ITS ROOTS1 HI/ORY1 & /RUGGLES1 MO/ ( US DID ! BE/ WE C\LD ) :AT WE C\LD F9D4 ,!RE W]E NO ORGANIZATIONS TO CRITICIZE OR JO92 IT WAS DIFFICULT 5\< JU/ TO F9D AN>*I/S 9 ,N,Y,C 9 #a#i#h#d4 ,WE W]E ORPHANS4 ,! SITUATION HAS *ANG$3 !RE >E MORE AN>*I/S1 !Y >E MORE EASILY CONTACT$ & ! EXPLOSION ( 9=MATION HAS GIV5 US \R /ORY BACK4 ,AS A CONFLU5CE1 ! NEWS \T ( ,GREECE1 ,ROJAVA1 ,EUROPE1 9 FACT JU/ AB\T EV]Y:]E SEEMS TO BE TURN+ 9 \R DIRECTION4 ,?OSE 9 ! MILIEU1 !RE=E1 HAVE SOME *OICES TO MAKE AB\T :]E TO PLACE 5]GY1 :]E TO 9VE/ TIME & EF=T1 9 A WORD--:AT TO DO8 ,!RE >E AT LEA/ AS MANY POSSIBLE ANSW]S TO ?IS QUE/ION AS !RE >E AN>*I/S N[ ALIVE4 ,AS MY RESPONSE1 ,I SUGGE/ ! FOLL[+3 

,=M DEMOCRATIC COMMUNES4 

,F$]ATE4 

,BE READY4 

.<#a.> ,LA ,BOETIE1 ,ETI5NE 7#a#i#g#e7 ,! ,POLITICS ( ,OB$I5CE3 ,! ,DISC\RSE ( ,VOLUNT>Y ,S]VITUDE4 ,MONTREAL2 ,BLACK ,ROSE ,BOOKS4 

.<#b.> ,VANEIGEM1 ,RA\L4 7#a#i#i#d7 ,! ,REVOLUTION ( ,EV]YDAY ,LIFE 7,DONALD ,NI*OLSON-,SMI?1 ,TRANS474 ,LONDON3 ,REBEL ,PRESS4 

.<#c.> ,PR\DHON1 ,PI]RE-,JOSEPH4 7#a#h#f#g-#a#h#g7 ,OEUVRES COMPLETES DE ,P-,J4 ,PR\DHON4 ,P>IS3 ,A4 ,LACROIX1 ,V]BOECKHOV5 ET ,CIE4 

.<#d.> ,RECUP]ATION IS A CONCEPT DEVELOP$ BY ! ,SITUATIONI/S TO DESCRIBE ! PROCESS 9 :I* IDEAS & /RATEGIES ?AT ORIG9ALLY S]V$ A REVOLUTION>Y AG5DA1 >E APPROPRIAT$ BY ,CAPITAL & ! /ATE TO PRES]VE ! /ATUS QUO4 

.<#e.> ,OCALAN1 ,ABDULLAH 7#b#a#a74 ,DEMOCRATIC ,CONF$]ALISM 7TRANSL4 ,9T]NATIONAL ,9ITIATIVE74 ,TRANSM$IA ,PUBLI%+ ,LTD4 ,LONDON1 ,COLOGNE 

.<#f.> ,SIMONS1 ,PAUL ,Z4 7#b#a#e74 0,! ,ORGANIZATION'S ,NEW ,CLO!S10 ,BLACK ,EYE3 ,PA?OG5IC & ,P]V]SE4 ,>D5T ,PRESS1 ,B]KELEY ,C,A4 

.<#g.> ,PI Y ,M>GALL1 ,FRANCISCO4 0,REACTION & ,REVOLUTION10 9 ,AN>*ISM1 ,A ,DOCUM5T>Y ,HI/ORY ( ,LIB]T>IAN ,IDEAS ,VOLUME ,ONE 

7,S\RCE3 HTTPS3_/_/CRIME?9C4COM_/#b#a#f_/#e_/#a#i_/ROJAVA-DEMOCRACY-&-COMMUNE47 

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