,! ,MEAN+ ( ,CONF$]ALISM 

#aihi 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,MURRAY ,BOOK*9 

,TAGS 3 PROGRAM ( A GRE5 MOVEM5T1 9T]NATIONAL DIVISION ( LABOR1 P[] TO ! PEOPLE1 PR9CIPLE ( SOCIAL ORGANIZATION1 DIVISION ( LABOR1 DEC5TRALISM & SELF-SU/A9ABILITY1 FACE-TO-FACE P>TICIPATORY DEMOCRACY1 ECONOMIC & POLITICAL1 HUMANLY SCAL$ COMMUNITIES1 GOV]NM5TS 9 CANADA4 

,TEXT 3 

,G,R,E,5 ,P,],S,P,E,C,T,I,V,E,S 

 ,A ,LEFT ,GRE5 ,PUBLICATION 
  

 ,NUMB] #b ,NOVEMB] #aihi 
  
  
  
 ,P4,O4 ,BOX #aaa 
  

 ,BURL+TON1 ,V,T #$b 
  
  

,! ,MEAN+ ( ,CONF$]ALISM 

BY ,MURRAY ,BOOK*9 

  

,PHOTO BY ,R5E ,VAN ,WALL5DAEL1,C,C ,B,Y-,N,C-,N,D ,LIC5SE ,FEW >GUM5TS HAVE BE5 US$ MORE EFFECTIVELY TO *ALL5GE ! CASE = FACE-TO-FACE P>TICIPATORY DEMOCRACY  ?AN ! CLAIM ?AT WE LIVE 9 A 0COMPLEX SOCIETY40 ,MOD]N POPULATION C5T]S1 WE >E TOLD1 >E TOO L>GE & TOO CONC5TRAT$ TO ALL[ = DIRECT DECISION-MAK+ AT A GRASSROOTS LEVEL4 ,& \R ECONOMY IS TOO 0GLOBAL10 PRESUMABLY1 TO UNRAVEL ! 9TRICACIES ( PRODUCTION & COMM]CE4 ,9 \R PRES5T TRANSNATIONAL1 (T5 HI<LY C5TRALIZ$ SOCIAL SY/EM1 IT IS BETT] TO 5HANCE REPRES5TATION 9 ! /ATE1 TO 9CREASE ! EFFICI5CY ( BUREAUCRATIC 9/ITUTIONS1 WE >E ADVIS$1 ?AN TO ADVANCE UTOPIAN 0LOCALI/0 S*EMES ( POPUL> CONTROL OV] POLITICAL & ECONOMIC LIFE4 

  
,AFT] ALL1 SU* >GUM5TS (T5 RUN1 C5TRALI/S  >E ALL REALLY 0LOCALI/S0 9 ! S5SE ?AT !Y BELIEVE 9 0MORE P[] TO ! PEOPLE0 - OR AT LEA/1 TO !IR REPRES5TATIVES4 ,& SURELY A GOOD REPRES5TATIVE  IS ALWAYS EAG] TO KN[ ! WI%ES ( HIS OR H] 0CON/ITU5TS0 7TO USE ANO!R ( ?OSE >ROGANT SUB/ITUTES = 0CITIZ5S074 

  
,BUT FACE-TO-FACE DEMOCRACY8 ,=GET ! DREAM ?AT 9 \R 0COMPLEX0 MOD]N WORLD WE CAN HAVE ANY DEMOCRATIC ALT]NATIVE TO ! NATION-/ATE6 ,MANY PRAGMATIC PEOPLE1 9CLUD+ SOCIALI/S1 (T5 DISMISS >GUM5TS = ?AT K9D ( 0LOCALISM0 AS O!RWORLDLY -  ) GOOD-NATUR$ CONDESC5SION AT BE/ & \TRI<T D]ISION AT WOR/4 ,9DE$1 SOME YE>S BACK1 9 #a#i#g#b1 ,I WAS *ALL5G$ 9 ! P]IODICAL ,ROOT & ,BRAN* BY ,J]EMY ,BRE*]1 A DEMOCRATIC SOCIALI/1 TO EXPLA9 H[ ! DEC5TRALI/ VIEWS ,I EXPRESS$ 9 ,PO/-,SC>CITY ,AN>*ISM W\LD PREV5T1  SAY1 ,TROY1 ,NEW ,YORK1 FROM DUMP+ ITS UNTREAT$ WA/ES  9TO ! ,HUDSON ,RIV]1 FROM :I* D[N/REAM CITIES LIKE  ,P]? ,AMBOY DRAW !IR DR9K+ WAT]4 

  
,ON ! SURFACE ( ?+S1 >GUM5TS LIKE ,BRE*]'S = C5TRALIZ$ GOV]NM5T SEEM RA!R COMPELL+4 ,A /RUCTURE ?AT IS 0DEMOCRATIC10 TO BE SURE1 BUT /ILL L>GELY TOP-D[N IS ASSUM$ AS NECESS>Y  TO PREV5T ONE LOCALITY FROM AFFLICT+ ANO!R ECOLOGICALLY4 ,BUT CONV5TIONAL ECONOMIC & POLITICAL  >GUM5TS AGA9/ DEC5TRALIZATION1 RANG+ FROM ! FATE ( ,P]? ,AMBOY'S DR9K+ WAT] TO \R ALLEG$ 0ADDICTION0 TO PETROLEUM1 RE/ ON A NUMB] ( V]Y PROBLEMATICAL ASSUMPTIONS4 ,MO/ DI/URB+LY1 !Y RE/ ON AN UNCONSCI\S ACCEPTANCE ( ! ECONOMIC /ATUS QUO4 

,DEC5TRALISM & ,SELF-,SU/A9ABILITY 

  
,! ASSUMPTION ?AT :AT CURR5TLY EXI/S MU/ NECESS>ILY  EXI/ IS ! ACID ?AT CORRODES ALL VISION>Y ?9K+ 7AS WITNESS ! REC5T T5D5CY ( RADICALS TO ESP\SE 0M>KET SOCIALISM0 RA!R ?AN DEAL ) ! FAIL+S ( ! M>KET ECONOMY AS WELL AS /ATE SOCIALISM74 ,D\BTLESS WE WILL HAVE TO IMPORT C(FEE = ?OSE PEOPLE :O NE$ A MORN+ FIX AT ! BREAKFA/ TABLE OR EXOTIC METALS = PEOPLE :O WANT !IR W>ES TO BE MORE LA/+ ?AN ! JUNK PRODUC$ BY A CONSCI\SLY 5G9E]$ ?R[AWAY ECONOMY4 ,BUT ASIDE FROM ! UTT] IRRATIONALITY ( CR[D+ T5S ( MILLIONS ( PEOPLE 9TO CONGE/$1 9DE$ SUFFOCAT+ URBAN BELTS1 MU/ ! PRES5T-DAY EXTRAVAGANT  9T]NATIONAL DIVISION ( LABOR NECESS>ILY EXI/ 9 ORD] TO SATISFY HUMAN NE$S8 ,OR HAS IT BE5 CREAT$ TO PROVIDE EXTRAVAGANT PR(ITS = MULT9ATIONAL  CORPORATIONS8 ,>E WE TO IGNORE ! ECOLOGICAL CONSEQU5CES ( PLUND]+ ! ,?IRD ,WORLD ( ITS RES\RCES1 9SANELY 9T]LOCK+ MOD]N ECONOMIC LIFE ) PETROLEUM-RI* >EAS :OSE ULTIMATE PRODUCTS  9CLUDE AIR POLLUTANTS & PETROLEUM-D]IV$ C>C9OG5S8 ,TO IGNORE ! FACT ?AT \R 0GLOBAL ECONOMY0 IS ! RESULT ( BURGEON+ 9DU/RIAL BUREAUCRACIES  & A COMPETITIVE GR[-OR-DIE M>KET ECONOMY IS 9CR$IBLY MYOPIC4 

  
,IT IS H>DLY NECESS>Y TO EXPLORE ! S\ND ECOLOGICAL REASONS = A*IEV+ A C]TA9 MEASURE ( SELF-SU/A9ABILITY4 ,MO/ 5VIRONM5TALLY ORI5T$ PEOPLE >E AW>E ?AT A MASSIVE NATIONAL & 9T]NATIONAL  DIVISION ( LABOR IS EXTREMELY WA/EFUL 9 ! LIT]AL S5SE ( ?AT T]M4 ,NOT ONLY DOES AN EXCESSIVE DIVISION ( LABOR MAKE = OV]-ORGANIZATION 9 ! =M ( HUGE BUREAUCRACIES & TREM5D\S EXP5DITURES  ( RES\RCES 9 TRANSPORT+ MAT]IALS OV] GREAT DI/ANCES2 IT R$UCES ! POSSIBILITIES ( EFFECTIVELY RECYCL+ WA/ES1 AVOID+ POLLUTION ?AT MAY HAVE ITS S\RCE 9 HI<LY CONC5TRAT$ 9DU/RIAL & POPULATION C5T]S1 & MAK+ S\ND USE ( LOCAL OR REGIONAL RAW MAT]IALS4 

  
,ON ! O!R H&1 WE CANNOT IGNORE ! FACT ?AT RELATIVELY SELF-SU/A9+ COMMUNITIES 9 :I* CRAFTS1 AGRICULTURE1 & 9DU/RIES S]VE DEF9ABLE NETWORKS  ( CONF$]ALLY ORGANIZ$ COMMUNITIES 5RI* ! OPPORTUNITIES & /IMULI TO :I* 9DIVIDUALS >E EXPOS$ & MAKE = MORE R\ND$ P]SONALITIES ) A RI* S5SE ( SELFHOOD & COMPET5CE4 ,! ,GREEK IDEAL ( ! R\ND$ CITIZ5 9 A R\ND$ 5VIRONM5T -  ONE ?AT REAPPE>$ 9 ,*>LES ,F\RI]'S UTOPIAN WORKS - WAS LONG *]I%$ BY ! AN>*I/S & SOCIALI/S ( ! LA/ C5TURY4 

  
,! OPPORTUNITY ( ! 9DIVIDUAL TO DEVOTE HIS OR H] PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITY TO MANY DIFF]5T TASKS OV] AN ATT5UAT$ WORK WEEK 7OR 9 ,F\RI]'S IDEAL SOCIETY1 OV] A GIV5 DAY7 WAS SE5 AS A VITAL FACTOR 9 OV]COM+ ! DIVISION BETWE5 MANUAL & 9TELLECTUAL  ACTIVITY1 9 TRANSC5D+ /ATUS DIFF]5CES ?AT ?IS MAJOR DIVISION ( WORK CREAT$1 & 9 5HANC+ ! WEAL? ( EXP]I5CES ?AT CAME ) A FREE MOVEM5T FROM 9DU/RY ?R\< CRAFTS TO FOOD CULTIVATION4 ,H5CE SELF-SU/A9ABILITY MADE = A RI*] SELF1 ONE /R5G!N$ BY V>IEGAT$ EXP]I5CES1  COMPET5CIES1 & ASSURANCES4 ,ALAS1 ?IS VISION HAS BE5 LO/ BY LEFTI/S & MANY 5VIRONM5TALI/S  TODAY1 ) !IR %IFT T[>D A PRAGMATIC LIB]ALISM & ! RADICAL MOVEM5T'S TRAGIC IGNORANCE  ( ITS [N VISION>Y PA/4 

  
,WE %\LD NOT1 ,I BELIEVE1 LOSE SI<T ( :AT IT MEANS TO LIVE AN ECOLOGICAL WAY ( LIFE1 NOT M]ELY FOLL[ S\ND ECOLOGICAL PRACTICES4 ,! MULTITUDE ( H&BOOKS ?AT TEA* US H[ TO CONS]VE1 9VE/1 EAT1 & BUY 9 AN 0ECOLOGICALLY RESPONSIBLE0 MANN] >E A TRAVE/Y ( ! MORE BASIC NE$ TO REFLECT ON :AT IT MEANS TO ?9K - YES1 TO REASON - & TO LIVE ECOLOGICALLY  9 ! FULL MEAN+ ( ! T]M4 ,?US1 ,I W\LD HOLD ?AT TO G>D5 ORGANICALLY IS MORE ?AN A GOOD =M ( HUSB&RY & A GOOD S\RCE ( NUTRI5TS2 IT  IS ABOVE ALL A WAY TO PLACE ONESELF DIRECTLY 9 ! FOOD WEB BY P]SONALLY CULTIVAT+ ! V]Y SUB/ANCES  ONE CONSUMES TO LIVE & BY RETURN+ TO ONE'S 5VIRONM5T :AT ONE ELICITS FROM IT4 

  
,FOOD ?US BECOMES MORE ?AN A =M ( MAT]IAL NUTRIRI5T4 ,! SOIL ONE TILLS1 ! LIV+ ?+S ONE CULTIVATES & CONSUMES1 ! COMPO/ ONE PREP>ES ALL UNITE 9 AN ECOLOGICAL CONT9UUM TO FE$ ! SPIRIT AS WELL AS ! BODY1 %>P5+ ONE'S S5SITIVITY TO ! NONHUMAN & HUMAN WORLD >\ND US4 ,I AM (T5 AMUS$ BY ZEAL\S 0SPIRITUALI/S10 MANY ( :OM >E EI!R PASSIVE VIEW]S ( SEEM+LY  0NATURAL0 L&SCAPES OR DEVOTEES ( RITUALS1 MAGIC1 & PAGAN DEITIES 7OR ALL ( !SE7 :O FAIL TO REALIZE ?AT ONE ( ! MO/ EM95TLY HUMAN ACTIVITIES -  NAMELY1 FOOD CULTIVATION - CAN DO MORE TO FO/] AN ECOLOGICAL S5SIBILITY 7& SPIRITUALITY1 IF Y\ PLEASE7 ?AN ALL ! 9CANTATIONS & MANTRAS DEVIS$ 9 ! NAME ( ECOLOGICAL SPIRITUALISM4 

  
,SU* MONUM5TAL *ANGES AS ! DISSOLUTION ( ! NATION-/ATE & ITS SUB/ITUTION BY A P>TICIPATORY  DEMOCRACY1 !N1 DO NOT OCCUR 9 A PSY*OLOGICAL  VACUUM :]E ! POLITICAL /RUCTURE ALONE IS *ANG$4 ,I >GU$ AGA9/ ,J]EMY ,BRE*] ?AT 9 A SOCIETY ?AT WAS RADICALLY VE]+ T[>D DEC5TRALI/IC1  P>TICIPATORY DEMOCRACY1 GUID$ BY COMMUNIT>IAN  & ECOLOGICAL PR9CIPLES1 IT IS ONLY REASONABLE TO SUPPOSE ?AT PEOPLE W\LD NOT *OOSE SU* AN IRRESPONSIBLE  SOCIAL DISP5SATION AS W\LD ALL[ ! WAT]S ( ! ,HUDSON TO BE SO POLLUT$4 ,DEC5TRALISM1  A FACE-TO-FACE P>TICIPATORY DEMOCRACY1 & A LOCALI/ EMPHASIS ON COMMUNITY VALUES %\LD BE VIEW$ AS ALL ( ONE PIECE - !Y MO/ ASSUR$LY HAVE BE5 SO 9 ! VISION ,I HAVE BE5 ADVOCAT+ = MORE ?AN ?IRTY YE>S4 ,?IS 0ONE PIECE0 9VOLVES NOT ONLY A NEW POLITICS BUT A NEW POLITICAL CULTURE ?AT EMBRACES NEW WAYS ( ?9K+ & FEEL+1 & NEW HUMAN 9T]RELATION%IPS1 9CLUD+ ! WAYS WE EXP]I5CE ! NATURAL WORLD4 ,WORDS LIKE0POLITICS0 & 0CITIZ5%IP0 W\LD BE R$EF9$ BY ! RI* MEAN+S !Y ACQUIR$ 9 ! PA/1 & 5L>G$ = ! PRES5T4 

  
,IT IS NOT V]Y DIFFICULT TO %[ - ITEM BY ITEM - H[ ! 9T]NATIONAL DIVISION ( LABOR CAN BE GREATLY ATT5UAT$ BY US+ LOCAL & REGIONAL RES\RCES1  IMPLEM5T+ ECOTE*NOLOGIES1 RESEAL+ HUMAN CONSUMPTION ALONG RATIONAL 79DE$1 HEAL?FUL7  L9ES1 & EMPHASIZ+ QUALITY PRODUCTION ?AT PROVIDES LA/+ 79/EAD ( ?R[AWAY7 MEANS ( LIFE4 ,IT IS UN=TUNATE ?AT ! V]Y CONSID]ABLE 9V5TORY  ( !SE POSSIBILITIES1 :I* ,I P>TLY ASSEMBL$  & EVALUAT$ 9 MY #aife ESSAY 0,T[>D A ,LIB]ATORY ,TE*NOLOGY10 SUFF]S FROM ! BURD5 ( HAV+ BE5 WRITT5 TOO LONG AGO TO BE ACCESSIBLE TO ! PRES5T G5]ATION ( ECOLOGICALLY ORI5T$ PEOPLE4 ,9DE$1 9 ?AT ESSAY ,I ALSO >GU$ = REGIONAL  9TEGRATION & ! NE$ TO 9T]L9K RES\RCES AMONG ECOCOMMUNITIES4 ,= DEC5TRALIZ$ COMMUNITIES  >E 9EVITABLY 9T]DEP5D5T UPON ONE ANO!R4 

,PROBLEMS ( ,DEC5TRALISM 

  
,IF MANY PRAGMATIC PEOPLE >E BL9D TO ! IMPORTANCE ( DEC5TRALISM1 MANY 9 ! ECOLOGY MOVEM5T T5D TO IGNORE V]Y REAL PROBLEMS ) 0LOCALISM0 -  PROBLEMS ?AT >E NO LESS TR\BL+ ?AN ! PROBLEMS RAIS$ BY A GLOBALISM ?AT FO/]S A TOTAL 9T]LOCK+ ( ECONOMIC & POLITICAL LIFE ON A WORLDWIDE BASIS4 ,)\T SU* HOLI/IC CULTURAL & POLITICAL *ANGES AS ,I HAVE ADVOCAT$1 NOTIONS ( DEC5TRALISM ?AT EMPHASIZE LOCALI/ ISOLATION & A DEGREE ( SELF- SUFFICI5CY MAY LEAD TO CULTURAL P>O*IALISM & *AUV9ISM4 ,P>O*IALISM CAN LEAD TO PROBLEMS ?AT >E AS S]I\S AS A 0GLOBAL0 M5TALITY ?AT OV]LOOKS ! UNIQU5ESS ( CULTURES1 ! PECULI>ITIES ( ECOSY/EMS  & ECOREGIONS1 & ! NE$ = A HUMANLY SCAL$ COMMUNITY LIFE ?AT MAKES A P>TICIPATORY DEMOCRACY  POSSIBLE4 ,?IS IS NO M9OR ISSUE TODAY1 9 AN ECOLOGY MOVEM5T ?AT T5DS TO SW+ T[>D V]Y WELL-MEAN+ BUT RA!R NAIVE EXTREMES4 ,I CANNOT REPEAT TOO EMPHATICALLY ?AT WE MU/ F9D A WAY ( %>+ ! WORLD ) O!R HUMANS & ) NONHUMAN =MS ( LIFE1 A VIEW ?AT IS (T5 DIFFICULT TO ATTA9 9 OV]LY 0SELF-SUFFICI5T0 COMMUNITIES4 

  
,MU* AS ,I RESPECT ! 9T5TIONS ( ?OSE :O ADVOCATE LOCAL SELF-RELIANCE & SELF-SU/A9ABILTY1 !SE CONCEPTS CAN BE HI<LY MISLEAD+4 ,I CAN C]TA9LY AGREE ) ,DAVID ,MORRIS ( ! ,9/ITUTE = ,LOCAL ,SELF-,RELIANCE1 = EXAMPLE1 ?AT IF A COMMUNITY  CAN PRODUCE ! ?+S IT NE$S1 IT %\LD PROBABLY DO  SO4 ,BUT SELF-SU/A9+ COMMUNITIES CANNOT PRODUCE ALL ! ?+S !Y NE$ - UNLESS IT 9VOLVES A RETURN TO A BACK-BREAK+ WAY ( VILLAGE LIFE ?AT HI/ORICALLY (T5 PREMATURELY AG$ ITS M5 & WOM5 ) H>D WORK & ALL[$ !M V]Y LITTLE TIME = POLITICAL LIFE BEYOND ! IMM$IATE CONF9ES ( ! COMMUNITY ITSELF4 

  
,I REGRET TO SAY ?AT !RE >E PEOPLE 9 ! ECOLOGY MOVEM5T :O DO1 9 FACT1 ADVOCATE A RETURN TO A HI<LY LABOR-9T5SIVE ECONOMY1 NOT TO SPEAK ( ,/ONE ,AGE DEITIES4 ,CLE>LY1 WE MU/ GIVE ! IDEALS ( LOCALISM1 DEC5TRALISM1 & SELF-SU/A9ABILITY GREAT] & FULL] MEAN+4 

  
,TODAY WE CAN PRODUCE ! BASIC MEANS ( LIFE - & A GOOD DEAL MORE - 9 AN ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY ?AT IS FOCUS$ ON ! PRODUCTION ( HI<-QUALITY USEFUL GOODS4 ,YET /ILL O!RS 9 ! ECOLOGY MOVEM5T  TOO (T5 5D UP ADVOCAT+ A K9D ( 0COLLECTIVE0  CAPITALISM1 9 :I* ONE COMMUNITY FUNCTIONS LIKE A S+LE 5TREPR5EUR1 ) A S5SE ( PROPRIETOR%IP  T[>D ITS RES\RCES4 ,SU* A SY/EM ( COOP]ATIVES  ONCE AGA9 M>KS ! BEG9N+S ( A M>KET SY/EM ( DI/RIBUTION1 AS COOP]ATIVES BECOME 5TANGL$  9 ! WEB ( 0B\RGEOIS RI<TS0 - ?AT IS1 9 CONTRACTS & BOOKKEEP+ ?AT FOCUS ON ! EXACT AM\NTS A COMMUNITY WILL RECEIVE 9 0EX*ANGE0 = :AT IT DELIV]S TO O!RS4 ,?IS DET]IORATION OCCURR$  AMONG SOME ( ! WORK]-CONTROLL$ 5T]PRISES  ?AT FUNCTION$ LIKE CAPITALI/IC 5T]PRISES 9 ,B>CELONA AFT] ! WORK]S EXPROPRIAT$ !M 9 ,JULY #aicf - A PRACTICE ?AT ! AN>*O-SYNDICALI/ ,C,N,T F\<T E>LY 9 ! ,SPANI% ,REVOLUTION4 

  
,IT IS A TR\BL+ FACT ?AT NEI!R DEC5TRALIZATION  NOR SELF-SUFFICI5CY 9 ITSELF IS NECESS>ILY DEMOCRATIC4  ,PLATO'S IDEAL CITY 9 ! ,REPUBLIC WAS 9DE$ DESIGN$ TO BE SELF-SUFFICI5T1 BUT ITS SELF-SUFFICI5CY WAS MEANT TO MA9TA9 A W>RIOR AS WELL AS A PHILOSOPHICAL  ELITE4 ,9DE$1 ITS CAPACITY TO PRES]VE ITS SELF-SUFFICI5CY DEP5D$ UPON ITS ABILITY1 LIKE ,SP>TA1 TO RESI/ ! SEEM+LY 0CORRUPTIVE0 9FLU5CE ( \TSIDE CULTURES 7A *>ACT]I/IC1 ,I MAY SAY1 ?AT /ILL APPE>S 9 MANY CLOS$ SOCIETIES 9 ! ,EA/74 ,SIMIL>LY1 DEC5TRALIZATION 9 ITSELF PROVIDES NO ASSURANCE  ?AT WE WILL HAVE AN ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY4 ,A DEC5TRALIZ$ SOCIETY CAN EASILY CO-EXI/ ) EXTREMELY  RIGID HI]>*IES4 ,A /RIK+ EXAMPLE IS ,EUROPEAN  & ,ORI5TAL FEUDALISM1 A SOCIAL ORD] 9 :I* PR9CELY1 DUCAL1 & B>ONIAL HI]>*IES W]E BAS$ ON HI<LY DEC5TRALIZ$ COMMUNITIES4 ,) ALL DUE RESPECT TO ,FRITZ ,S*UMA*]1 SMALL IS NOT NECESS>ILY BEAUTIFUL4 

  
,NOR DOES IT FOLL[ ?AT HUMANLY SCAL$ COMMUNITIES  & 0APPROPRIATE TE*NOLOGIES0 9 !MSELVES  CON/ITUTE GU>ANTEES AGA9/ DOM9E]+ SOCIETIES4 ,9 FACT1 = C5TURIES HUMANITY LIV$ 9 VILLAGES  & SMALL T[NS1 (T5 ) TI<TLY ORGANIZ$ SOCIAL TIES & EV5 COMMUNI/IC =MS ( PROP]TY4  ,BUT !SE PROVID$ ! MAT]IAL BASIS = HI<LY DESPOTIC IMP]IAL /ATES4 ,CONSID]$ ON ECONOMIC & PROP]TY T]MS1 !Y MI<T E>N A HI< PLACE 9 ! 0NO-GR[?0 \TLOOK ( ECONOMI/S LIKE ,H]MAN ,DALY1 BUT !Y W]E ! H>D BRICKS ?AT W]E US$ TO BUILD ! MO/ AWESOME ,ORI5TAL DESPOTISMS 9 ,9DIA & ,*9A4 ,:AT !SE SELF-SUFFICI5T1 DEC5TRALIZ$ COMMUNITIES FE>$ ALMO/ AS MU* AS ! >MIES ?AT RAVAG$ !M W]E ! IMP]IAL TAX-GA!R]S ?AT PLUND]$ !M4 

  
,IF WE EXTOLL SU* COMMUNITIES BECAUSE ( ! EXT5T TO :I* !Y W]E DEC5TRALIZ$1 SELF-SUFFICI5T1  OR SMALL1 OR EMPLOY$ 0APPROPRIATE TE*NOLOGIES10  WE W\LD BE OBLIG$ TO IGNORE ! EXT5T TO :I* !Y W]E ALSO CULTURALLY /AGNANT & EASILY DOM9AT$ BY EXOG5\S ELITES4 ,!IR SEEM+LY ORGANIC  BUT TRADITION-B\ND DIVISION ( LABOR MAY V]Y WELL HAVE =M$ ! BASES = HI<LY OPPRESSIVE & DEGRAD+ CA/E SY/EMS 9 DIFF]5T P>TS ( ! WORLD-CA/E SY/EMS ?AT PLAGUE ! SOCIAL LIFE ( ,9DIA TO ?IS V]Y DAY4 

  
,AT ! RISK ( SEEM+ CONTR>Y1 ,I FEEL OBLIG$ TO EMPHASIZE ?AT DEC5TRALIZATION1 LOCALISM1 SELF-SUFFICI5CY1  & EV5 CONF$]ATION EA* TAK5 S+LY - DO  NOT CON/ITUTE A GU>ANTEE ?AT WE WILL A*IEVE A RATIONAL ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY4 ,9 FACT1 ALL ( !M HAVE AT ONE TIME OR ANO!R SUPPORT$ P>O*IAL COMMUNITIES1 OLIG>*IES1 & EV5 DESPOTIC REGIMES4  ,TO BE SURE1 )\T ! 9/ITUTIONAL /RUCTURES  ?AT CLU/] >\ND \R USE ( !SE T]MS & )\T TAK+ !M 9 COMB9ATION ) EA* O!R1 WE CANNOT HOPE TO A*IEVE A FREE ECOLOGICALLY ORI5T$  SOCIETY4 

,CONF$]ALISM & ,9T]DEP5D5CE 

  
,DEC5TRALISM & SELF-SU/A9ABILITY MU/ 9VOLVE A MU* BROAD] PR9CIPLE ( SOCIAL ORGANIZATION ?AN M]E LOCALISM4 ,TOGE!R ) DEC5TRALIZATION1 APPROXIMATIONS  TO SELF-SUFFICI5CY1 HUMANLY SCAL$ COMMUNITIES1 ECOTE*NOLOGIES1 & ! LIKE1 !RE IS A COMPELL+ NE$ = DEMOCRATIC & TRULY COMMUNIT>IAN  =MS ( 9T]DEP5D5CE - 9 %ORT1 = LIB]T>IAN =MS ( CONF$]ALISM4 

  
,I HAVE DETAIL$ AT L5G? 9 MANY >TICLES & BOOKS 7P>TICUL>LY ,! ,RISE ( ,URBANIZATION & ! ,DECL9E ( ,CITIZ5%IP7 ! HI/ORY ( CONF$]AL /RUCTURES FROM ANCI5T & M$IEVAL TO MOD]N CONF$]ATIONS  SU* AS ! ,COMUN]OS 9 ,SPA9 DUR+ ! E>LY SIXTE5? C5TURY ?R\< ! ,P>ISIAN SECTIONAL MOVEM5T ( #agic & MORE REC5T ATTEMPTS  AT CONF$]ATION1 P>TICUL>LY BY ! ,AN>*I/S  9 ! ,SPANI% ,REVOLUTION ( ! #a#i#cS4 ,TODAY1  :AT (T5 LEADS TO S]I\S MISUND]/&+S AMONG DEC5TRALI/S IS !IR FAILURE 9 ALL TOO MANY CASES TO SEE ! NE$ = CONF$]ATION - :I* AT LEA/ T5DS TO C\NT]ACT ! T5D5CY ( DEC5TRALIZ$  COMMUNITIES TO DRIFT T[>D EXCLUSIVITY & P>O*IALISM4 ,IF WE LACK A CLE> UND]/&+ ( :AT CONF$]ALISM MEANS - 9DE$1 ! FACT ?AT IT =MS A KEY PR9CIPLE & GIVES FULL] MEAN+ TO DEC5TRALISM - ! AG5DA ( A LIB]T>IAN MUNICIPALISM  CAN EASILY BECOME VACU\S AT BE/ OR BE US$ = HI<LY P>O*IAL 5DS AT WOR/4 

  
,:AT1 !N1 IS CONF$]ALISM8 ,IT IS ABOVE ALL A NETWORK ( ADM9I/RATIVE C\NCILS :OSE MEMB]S OR DELEGATES >E ELECT$ FROM POPUL> FACE-TO-FACE DEMOCRATIC ASSEMBLIES1 9 ! V>I\S VILLAGES1 T[NS1 & EV5 NEI<BORHOODS ( L>GE CITIES4 ,! MEMB]S ( !SE CONF$]AL C\NCILS >E /RICTLY M&AT$1 RECALLABLE1 & RESPONSIBLE TO ! ASSEMBLIES  ?AT *OOSE !M = ! PURPOSE ( COORD9AT+  & ADM9I/]+ ! POLICIES =MULAT$ BY ! ASSEMBLIES !MSELVES4 ,!IR FUNCTION IS ?US A PURELY ADM9I/RATIVE & PRACTICAL ONE1 NOT A POLICY  MAK+ ONE LIKE ! FUNCTION ( REPRES5TATIVES 9 REPUBLICAN SY/EMS ( GOV]NM5T4 

  
,A CONF$]ALI/ VIEW 9VOLVES A CLE> DI/9CTION  BETWE5 POLICYMAK+ & ! COORD9ATION & EXECUTION ( ADOPT$ POLICIES4 ,POLICYMAK+ IS EXCLUSIVELY  ! RI<T ( POPUL> COMMUNITY ASSEMBLIES BAS$ ON ! PRACTICES ( P>TICIPATORY DEMOCRACY4 ,ADM9I/RATIOM & COORD9ATION >E ! RESPONSIBILITY  ( CONF$]AL C\NCILS1 :I* BECOME ! MEANS = 9T]L9K+ VILLAGES1 T[NS1 NEI<BORHOODS1 & CITIES 9TO CONF$]AL NETWORKS4 ,P[] ?US FL[S FROM ! BOTTOM UP 9/EAD ( FROM ! TOP D[N1 & 9 CONF$]ATIONS1 ! FL[ ( P[] FROM ! BOTTOM UP DIM9I%ES ) ! SCOPE ( ! F$]AL C\NCIL RANG+ T]RITORIALLY FROM LOCALITIES TO REGIONS & FROM REGIONS TO EV]-BROAD] T]RITORIAL >EAS4 

  
,A CRUCIAL ELEM5T 9 GIV+ REALITY TO CONF$]ALISM  IS ! 9T]DEP5D5CE ( COMMUNITIES = AN AU!NTIC MUTUALISM BAS$ ON %>$ RES\RCES1 PRODUCE1  & POLICYMAK+4 ,IF ONE COMMUNITY IS NOT OBLIG$ TO C\NT ON ANO!R OR O!RS G5]ALLY TO SATISFY IMPORTANT MAT]IAL NE$S & REALIZE COMMON POLITICAL GOALS 9 SU* A WAY ?AT IT IS 9T]L9K$ TO A GREAT] :OLE1 EXCLUSIVITY & P>O*IALISM >E G5U9E POSSIBILITIES4 ,ONLY 9S(> AS WE RECOGNIZE ?AT CONF$]ATION MU/ BE CONCEIV$ AS AN EXT5SION ( A =M ( P>TICIPATORY ADM9I/RATION - BY MEANS ( CONF$]AL NETWORKS - CAN DEC5TRALIZATION & LOCALISM PREV5T ! COMMUNITIES ?AT COMPOSE L>G] BODIES ( ASSOCIATION FROM P>O*IALLY )DRAW+  9TO !MSELVES AT ! EXP5SE ( WID] >EAS ( HUMAN CONSOCIATION4 

  
,CONF$]ALISM IS ?US A WAY ( P]PETUAT+ ! 9T]DEP5D5CE ?AT %\LD EXI/ AMONG COMMUNITIES  & REGIONS - 9DE$1 IT IS A WAY ( DEMOCRATIZ+  ?AT 9T]DEP5D5CE )\T SURR5D]+ ! PR9CIPLE ( LOCAL CONTROL4 ,:ILE A REASONABLE MEASURE ( SELF-SUFFICI5CY IS DESIRABLE = EV]Y LOCALITY  & REGION1 CONF$]ALISM IS A MEANS = AVOID+ LOCAL P>O*IALISM ON ! ONE H& & AN EXTRAVAGANT NATIONAL & GLOBAL DIVISION ( LABOR ON ! O!R4 ,9 %ORT1 IT IS A WAY 9 :I* A COMMUNITY CAN RETA9 ITS ID5TITY & R\ND$NESS :ILE P>TICIPAT+  9 A %>+ WAY ) ! L>G] :OLE ?AT MAKES UP A BALANC$ ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY4 

  
,CONF$]ALISM AS A PR9CIPLE ( SOCIAL ORGANIZATION  REA*ES ITS FULLE/ DEVELOPM5T :5 ! ECONOMY ITSELF IS CONF$]ALIZ$ BY PLAC+ LOCAL F>MS1 FACTORIES1 & O!R NE$$ 5T]PRISES 9 LOCAL MUNICIPAL H&S - ?AT IS1 :5 A COMMUNITY1 H[EV] L>GE OR SMALL1 BEG9S TO MANAGE ITS [N ECONOMIC RES\RCES 9 AN 9T]L9K$ NETWORK ) O!R COMMUNITIES4 ,TO =CE A *OICE BETWE5 EI!R SELF-SUFFICI5CY ON ! ONE H& OR A M>KET SY/EM ( EX*ANGE ON ! O!R IS A SIMPLI/IC & UNNECESS>Y  DI*OTOMY4 ,I W\LD LIKE TO ?9K ?AT A CONF$]AL  ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY W\LD BE A %>+ ONE1 ONE BAS$ ON ! PLEASURE ?AT IS FELT 9 DI/RIBUT+ AMONG COMMUNITIES ACCORD+ TO !IR NE$S1 NOT ONE 9 :I* 0COOP]ATIVE0 CAPITALI/IC COMMUNITIES MIRE !MSELVES 9 ! QUID PRO QUO ( EX*ANGE RELATION%IPS4 

  
,IMPOSSIBLE8 ,UNLESS WE >E TO BELIEVE ?AT NATIONALIZ$ PROP]TY 7:I* RE9=CES ! POLITICAL P[] ( ! C5TRALIZ$ /ATE ) ECONOMIC P[]7 OR A PRIVATE M>KET ECONOMY 7:OSE LAW ( 0GR[ OR DIE0 ?REAT5S TO UND]M9E ! ECOLOGICAL /ABILITY ( ! 5TIRE PLANET7 IS MORE WORKABLE1 ,I FAIL TO SEE :AT VIABLE ALTEMATIVE WE HAVE TO ! CONF$]AT$ MUNICIPALIZATION ( ! ECONOMY4 ,AT ANY RATE1 = ONCE IT WILL NO LONG] BE PRIVILEG$ /ATE BUREAUCRATS OR GRASP+ B\RGEOIS 5TREPR5EURS - OR EV5 0COLLECTIVE0  CAPITALI/S 9 SO-CALL$ WORK]S-CONTROLL$ 5T]PRISES - ALL ) !IR SPECIAL TO PROMOTE :O >E FAC$ ) A COMMUNITY'S PROBLEMS1 BUT CITIZ5S1 IRRESPECTIVE ( !IR OCCUPATIONS OR WORKPLACES4 ,= ONCE1 IT WILL BE NECESS>Y TO TRANSC5D  ! TRADITIONAL SPECIAL 9T]E/S ( WORK1 WORKPLACE1  /ATUS1 & PROP]TY RELATIONS1 & CREATE A G5]AL 9T]E/ BAS$ ON %>$ COMMUNITY PROBLEMS4 

  

,CONF$]ATION IS ?US ! 5SEMBLE ( DEC5TRALIZATION1  LOCALISM1 SELF-SUFFICI5CY1 9T]DEP5D5CE - & MORE4  ,?IS MORE IS ! 9DISP5SABLE MORAL $UCATION & *>ACT] BUILD+ - :AT ! ,GREEKS CALL$ PAIDEIA - ?AT MAKES = RATIONAL ACTIVE CITIZ5%IP 9 A P>TICIPATORY DEMOCRACY1 UNLIKE ! PASSIVE CON/ITU5TS & CONSUM]S ?AT WE HAVE TODAY4 ,9 ! 5D1 !RE IS NO SUB/ITUTE = A CONSCI\S RECON/RUCTION ( \R RELATION%IP TO EA* O!R & ! NATURAL WORLD4 

  
,TO >GUE ?AT ! REMAK+ ( SOCIETY & \R RELATION%IP ) ! NATURAL WORLD CAN BE A*IEV$ ONLY BY DEC5TRALIZATION OR LOCALISM OR SELF-SU/A9ABILTY  LEAVES US ) AN 9COMPLETE COLLECTION ( SOLUTIONS4  ,:ATEV] WE OMIT AMONG !SE PRESUPPOSITIONS  = A SOCIETY BAS$ ON CONF$]AT$ MUNICIPALITIES1  TO BE SURE1 W\LD LEAVE A YAWN+ HOLE 9 ! 5TIRE SOCIAL FABRIC WE HOPE TO CREATE4 ,?AT HOLE W\LD GR[ & EV5TUALLY DE/ROY ! FABRIC ITSELF -  JU/ AS A M>KET ECONOMY1 COJO9$ ) 0SOCIALISM10 0AN>*ISM10 OR :ATEV] CONCEPT ONE HAS ( ! GOOD SOCIETY1 W\LD EV5TUALLY DOM9ATE ! SOCIETY AS A :OLE4 ,NOR CAN WE OMIT ! DI/9CTION  BETWE5 POLICY MAK+ & ADM9I/RATION1 = ONCE POLICY MAK+ SLIPS FROM ! H&S ( ! PEOPLE1 IT IS DEV\R$ BY ITS DELEGATES1 :O QUICKLY BECOME BUREAUCRATS4 

  
,CONF$]ALISM1 9 EFFECT1 MU/ BE CONCEIV$ AS A :OLE3 A CONSCI\SLY =M$ BODY ( 9T]DEP5D5CIES  ?AT UNITES P>TICIPATORY DEMOCRACY 9 MUNICIPALITIES ) A SCRUPUL\SLY SUP]VIS$ SY/EM ( COORD9ATION4 ,IT 9VOLVES ! DIALECTICAL DEVELOPM5T  ( 9DEP5D5CE & DEP5D5CE 9TO A MORE RI*LY >TICULAT$ =M ( 9T]DEP5D5CE1 JU/ AS ! 9DIVIDUAL 9 A FREE SOCIETY GR[S FROM DEP5D5CE  9 *ILDHOOD TO 9DEP5D5CE 9 Y\?1 ONLY TO SUBLATE ! TWO 9TO A CONSCI\S =M ( 9T]DEP5D5CE  BETWE5 9DIVIDUALS & BETWE5 ! 9DIVIDUAL & SOCIETY4 

  
,CONF$]ALISM IS ?US A FLUID & EV]-DEVELOP+ K9D ( SOCIAL METABOLISM 9 :I* ! ID5TITY ( AN ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY IS PRES]V$ ?R\< ITS DIFF]5CES & BY VIRTUE ( ITS POT5TIAL = EV]-GREAT]  DIFF]5TIATION4 ,CONF$]ALISM1 9 FACT1 DOES NOT M>K A CLOSURE ( SOCIAL HI/ORY 7AS ! 05D ( HI/ORY0 IDEOLOGI/S ( REC5T YE>S W\LD HAVE US BELIEVE AB\T LIB]AL CAPITALISM7 BUT RA!R ! PO9T ( DEP>TURE = A NEW ECO-SOCIAL HI/ORY M>K$ BY A P>TICIPATORY EVOLUTION )9 SOCIETY & BETWE5 SOCIETY & ! NATURAL WORLD4 

,CONF$]ATION AS ,DUAL ,P[] 

  
,ABOVE ALL1 ,I HAVE TRI$ TO %[ 9 MY PREVI\S WRIT+S H[ CONF$]ATION ON A MUNICIPAL BASIS HAS EXI/$ 9 %>P T5SION ) ! C5TRALIZ$ /ATE G5]ALLY1 & ! NATION-/ATE ( REC5T TIMES4 ,CONF$]ALISM1 ,I HAVE TRI$ TO EMPHASIZE1 IS NOT SIMPLY A UNIQUE SOCIETAL1 P>TICUL>LY CIVIC OR MUNICIPAL1  =M ( ADM9I/RATION4 ,IT IS A VIBRANT TRADITION  9 ! AFFAIRS ( HUMANITY1 ONE ?AT HAS A C5TURIES-LONG  HI/ORY BEH9D IT4 ,CONF$]ATIONS = G5]ATIONS TRI$ TO C\NT]VAIL A NE>LY EQUALLY LONG HI/ORICAL T5D5CY T[>D C5TRALIZATION & ! CREATION ( ! NATION-/ATE4 

  
,IF ! TWO - CONF$]ALISM & /ATISM - >E NOT SE5 AS BE+ 9 T5SION ) EA* O!R1 A T5SION 9 :I* ! NATION-/ATE HAS US$ A V>IETY ( 9T]M$I>IES LIKE PROV9CIAL GOV]NM5TS 9 ,CANADA & /ATE GOV]NM5TS 9 ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES TO CREATE ! ILLUSION ( 0LOCAL CONTROL10 !N ! CONCEPT  ( CONF$]ATION LOSES ALL MEAN+4 ,PROV9CIAL AUTONOMY 9 ,CANADA & /ATES' RI<TS 9 ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES >E NO MORE CONF$]AL ?AN 0SOVIETS0 OR C\NCILS W]E ! M$IUM = POPUL> CONTROL ?AT EXI/$ 9 T5SION ) ,/AL9'S TOTALIT>IAN /ATE4 ,! ,RUSSIAN SOVIETS W]E TAK5 OV] BY ! ,BOL%EVIKS1 :O SUPPLANT$ !M ) !IR P>TY )9 A YE> OR TWO ( ! ,OCTOB] ,REVOLUTION4 ,TO WEAK5 ! ROLE ( CONF$]AL MUNICIPALITIES AS A C\NT]VAIL+ P[] TO ! NATION-/ATE BY OPPORTUNI/ICALLY RUNN+  0CONF$]ALI/0 C&IDATES = /ATE GOV]NM5T -- OR1  MORE NI<TM>I%LY1 = GOV]NOR%IP 9 SEEM+LY DEMOCRATIC /ATES 7AS SOME ,U4,S4 ,GRE5S HAVE PROPOS$7 IS TO BLUR ! IMPORTANCE ( ! NE$ = T5SION BETWE5 CONF$]ATIONS & NATION-/ATES - 9DE$1 !Y OBSCURE ! FACT ?AT ! TWO CANNOT CO-EXI/ OV] ! LONG T]M4 

  
,9 DESCRIB+ CONF$]ALISM AS A :OLE - AS A /RUCTURE = DEC5TRALIZATION1 P>TICIPATORY DEMOCRACY1  & LOCALISM - & AS A POT5TIALITY = AN EV]- GREAT] DIFF]5TIATION ALONG NEW L9ES ( DEVELOPM5T1  ,I W\LD LIKE TO EMPHASIZE ?AT ?IS SAME CONCEPT ( :OL5ESS ?AT APPLIES TO ! 9T]DEP5D5CIES  BETWE5 MUNICIPALITIES ALSO APPLIES TO ! MUNICIPALITY ITSELF4 ,! MUNICIPALITY1 AS ,I PO9T$ \T 9 E>LI] WRIT+S1 IS ! MO/ IMM$IATE POLITICAL >5A ( ! 9DIVIDUAL1 ! WORLD ?AT IS LIT]ALLY A DOOR/EP BEYOND ! PRIVACY ( ! FAMILY & ! 9TIMACY ( P]SONAL FRI5D%IPS4 ,9 ?AT PRIM>Y POLITICAL >5A1 :]E POLITICS %\LD BE CONCEIV$ 9 ! ,HELL5IC S5SE ( LIT]ALLY MANAG+ ! POLLS OR COMMUNITY1 ! 9DIVIDUAL CAN BE TRANS=M$ FROM A M]E P]SON 9TO AN ACTIVE CITIZ51 FROM A PRIVATE BE+ 9TO A PUBLIC BE+4 ,GIV5 ?IS CRUCIAL >5A ?AT LIT]ALLY R5D]S ! CITIZ5 A FUNCTIONAL BE+ :O CAN P>TICIPATE DIRECTLY 9 ! FUTURE ( SOCIETY1 WE >E DEAL+ ) A LEVEL ( HUMAN 9T]ACTION ?AT IS MORE BASIC 7AP>T FROM ! FAMILY ITSELF7 ?AN ANY LEVEL ?AT IS EXPRESS$ 9 REPRES5TATIVE =MS ( GOV]NANCE1 :]E COLLECTIVE P[] IS LIT]ALLY TRANSMUT$ 9TO P[] EMBODI$ BY ONE OR A FEW 9DIVIDUALS4 ,! MUNICIPALITY IS ?US ! MO/ AU!NTIC  >5A ( PUBLIC LIFE1 H[EV] MU* IT MAY HAVE BE5 DI/ORT$ OV] ! C\RSE ( HI/ORY4 

  
,BY CONTRA/1 DELEGAT$ OR AU?ORIT>IAN LEVELS ( 0POLITICS0 PRESUPPOSE ! ABDICATION ( MUNICIPAL & CITIZ5 P[] TO ONE DEGREE OR ANO!R4 ,! MUNICIPALITY  MU/ ALWAYS BE UND]/OOD AS ?IS TRULY AU!NTIC PUBLIC WORLD4 ,TO COMP>E EV5 EXECUTIVE POSITIONS LIKE A MAYOR ) A GOV]NOR 9 REPRES5TATIVE  REALMS ( P[] IS TO GROSSLY MISUND]/& ! BASIC POLITICAL NATURE ( CIVIC LIFE ITSELF1 ALL ITS MAL=MATIONS  NOT)/&+4 ,?US1 = ,GRE5S TO CONT5D  9 A PURELY =MAL & ANALYTICAL MANN] - AS MOD]N LOGIC 9/RUCTS ?AT T]MS LIKE 0EXECUTIVE0 MAKE ! TWO POSITIONS 9T]*ANGEABLE IS TO TOTALLY REMOVE ! NOTION ( EXECUTIVE P[] FROM ITS CONTEXT1 TO REIFY IT1 TO MAKE IT 9TO A M]E LIFELESS CATEGORY BECAUSE ( ! EXTEMAL TRAPP+S WE ATTA* TO ! WORD4 ,IF ! CITY IS TO BE SE5 AS A :OLE1 & ITS POT5TIALITIES = CREAT+ A P>TICIPATORY DEMOCRACY  >E TO BE FULLY RECOGNIZ$1 SO PROV9CIAL GOV]NM5TS  & /ATE GOV]NM5TS 9 ,CANADA & ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES MU/ BE SE5 AS CLE>LY E/ABLI%$ SMALL REPUBLICS ORGANIZ$ 5TIRELY >\ND REPRES5TATION  AT BE/ & OLIG>*ICAL RULE AT WOR/4 ,!Y PROVIDE ! *ANNELS ( EXPRESSION = ! NATION-/ATE - &  CON/ITUTE OB/ACLES TO ! DEVELOPM5T ( A G5U9E PUBLIC REALM4 

  
,TO RUN A ,GRE5 = A MAYOR ON A LIB]T>IAN MUNICIPALI/ PROGRAM1 9 %ORT1 IS QUALITATIVELY DIFF]5T  FROM RUNN+ A PROV9CIAL OR /ATE GOV]NOR ON A PRESUMABLY LIB]T>IAN MUNICIPALI/ PROGRAM4 ,IT AM\NTS TO DECONTEXTUALIZ+ ! 9/ITUTIONS ?AT EXI/ 9 A MUNICIPALITY1 9 A PROV9CE OR /ATE1 & 9 ! NATION-/ATE ITSELF1 !REBY PLAC+ ALL ?REE ( !SE EXECUTIVE POSITIONS UND] A PURELY =MAL RUBRIC4 ,ONE MI<T ) EQUAL IMPRECISION SAY ?AT BECAUSE HUMAN BE+S & D9OSAURS BO? HAVE SP9AL CORDS1 ?AT !Y BELONG TO ! SAME SPECIES OR EV5 TO ! SAME G5US4 ,9 EA* SU* CASE1 AN 9/ITUTION -  BE IT A MAYORAL1 C\NCILOR1 OR SELECTP]SON -  MU/ BE SE5 9 A MUNICIPAL CONTEXT AS A :OLE1 JU/ AS A PRESID5T1 PRIME M9I/]1 CONGRESSP]SON1 OR MEMB] ( P>LIAM5T1 9 TURN1 MU/ BE SE5 9 ! /ATE CONTEXT AS A :OLE4 ,FROM ?IS /&PO9T1 = ,GRE5S TO RUN MAYORS IS FUNDAM5TALLY DIFF]5T FROM RUNN+ PROV9CIAL & /ATE (FICES4 ,ONE CAN GO 9TO 5DLESS DETAIL$ REASONS :Y ! P[]S ( A MAYOR >E F> MORE CONTROLL$ & UND] CLOS] PUBLIC PURVIEW ?AN ?OSE ( /ATE & PROV9CIAL (FICE-HOLD]S4 

  
,AT ! RISK ( REPETITION1 LET ME SAY ?AT TO IGNORE ?IS FACT IS TO SIMPLY AB&ON ANY S5SE ( CONTEXTUALITY & ! 5VIRONM5T 9 :I* ISSUES LIKE POLICY1 ADM9I/RATION1 P>TICIPATION1 & REPRES5TATION  MU/ BE PLAC$4 ,SIMPLY1 A CITY HALL 9 A T[N OR CITY IS NOT A CAPITAL 9 A PROV9CE1 /ATE1 OR NATION-/ATE4 

  
,UNQUE/IONABLY1 !RE >E N[ CITIES ?AT >E SO L>GE ?AT !Y V]GE ON BE+ QUASI-REPUBLICS 9 !IR [N RI<T4 ,ONE ?9KS = EXAMPLE ( SU* MEGALOPOLITAN >EAS AS ,NEW ,YORK ,CITY & ,LOS ,ANGELES4  ,9 SU* CASES1 ! M9IMAL PROGRAM ( A ,GRE5 MOVEM5T CAN DEM& ?AT CONF$]ATIONS BE E/ABLI%$  )9 ! URBAN >EA - NAMELY1 AMONG NEI<BORHOODS  OR DEF9ABLE DI/RICTS - NOT ONLY AMONG ! URBAN >EAS !MSELVES4 ,9 A V]Y REAL S5SE1 !SE HI<LY POPULAT$1 SPRAWL+1 & OV]SIZE 5TITIES MU/ ULTIMATELY BE BROK5 D[N 9/ITUTIONALLY 9TO AU!NTIC MUNICIPALITIES ?AT >E SCAL$ TO HUMAN DIM5SIONS  & ?AT L5D !MSELVES TO P>TICIPATORY DEMOCRACY4 ,!SE 5TITIES >E NOT YET FULLY =M$ /ATE P[]S1 EI!R 9/ITUTIONALLY OR 9 REALITY1 SU* AS WE F9D EV5 9 SP>SELY POPULAT$ ,AM]ICAN /ATES4 ,! MAYOR IS NOT YET A GOV]NOR1 ) ! 5ORM\S CO]CIVE P[]S ?AT A GOV]NOR HAS1 NOR IS ! CITY C\NCIL A P>LIAM5T OR /ATEH\SE ?AT CAN LIT]ALLY LEGISLATE ! DEA? P5ALTY 9TO EXI/5CE1 SU* AS IS OCCURR+ 9 ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES TODAY4 

  
,9 CITIES ?AT >E TRANS=M+ !MSELVES 9TO QUASI-/ATES1 !RE IS /ILL A GOOD DEAL ( LEEWAY 9 :I* POLITICS CAN BE CONDUCT$ ALONG LIB]T>IAN L9ES4 ,ALREADY1 ! EXECUTIVE BRAN*ES ( !SE URBAN 5TITIES CON/ITUTE A HI<LY PREC>I\S GR\ND -  BURD5$ BY 5ORM\S BUREAUCRACIES1 POLICE P[]S1 TAX P[]S1 & JURIDICAL SY/EMS ?AT RAISE S]I\S PROBLEMS = A LIB]T>IAN MUNICIPAL APPROA*4 ,WE MU/ ALWAYS ASK \RSELVES 9 ALL FRANKNESS :AT =M ! CONCRETE SITUATION TAKES4 ,:]E CITY C\NCILS & MAYORAL (FICES 9 L>GE CITIES PROVIDE AN >5A = BATTL+ ! CONC5TRATION ( P[] 9 AN 9CREAS+LY S TRONG /ATE OR PROV9CIAL EXECUTIVE1 & EV5 WORSE1 9 REGIONAL JURISDICTIONS ?AT MAY CUT ACROSS MANY SU* CITIES 7,LOS ,ANGELES IS A NOTABLE EXAMPLE71 TO RUN C&IDATES = ! CITY C\NCIL MAY BE ! ONLY REC\RSE WE HAVE1 9 FACT1 = >RE/+ ! DEVELOPM5T  ( 9CREAS+LY AU?ORIT>IAN /ATE 9/ITUTIONS & HELP+ TO RE/ORE AN 9/ITUTIONALLY DEC5TRALIZ$ DEMOCRACY4 

  
,IT WILL NO D\BT TAKE A LONG TIME TO PHYSICALLY DEC5TRALIZE AN URBAN 5TITY SU* AS ,NEW ,YORK ,CITY 9TO AU!NTIC MUNICIPALITIES & ULTIMATELY COMMUNES4  ,SU* AN EF=T IS P>T ( ! MAXIMUM PROGRAM  ( A ,GRE5 MOVEM5T4 ,BUT !RE IS NO REASON :Y AN URBAN 5TITY ( SU* A HUGE MAGNITUDE CANNOT BE SL[LY DEC5TRALIZ$ 9/ITUTIONALLY4 ,! DI/9CTION BETWE5 PHYSICAL DEC5TRALIZATION & 9/ITUTIONAL  DEC5TRALIZATION MU/ ALWAYS BE KEPT 9 M9D4 ,TIME & AGA9 EXCELL5T PROPOSALS HAVE BE5 ADVANC$ BY RADICALS & EV5 CITY PLANN]S TO LOCALIZE DEMOCRACY 9 SU* HUGE URBAN 5TITIES & LIT]ALLY GIVE GREAT] P[] TO ! PEOPLE1 ONLY TO BE CYNICALLY %OT D[N BY C5TRALI/S :O 9VOKE PHYSICAL IMP$IM5TS TO SU* AN 5DEAVOR4 

  
,IT CONFUSES ! >GUM5TS ( ADVOCATES = DEC5TRALIZATION TO MAKE 9/ITUTIONAL DEC5TRALIZATION  CONGRU5T ) ! PHYSICAL BREAKUP ( SU* A L>GE 5TITY4 ,!RE IS A C]TA9 TREA*]Y ON ! P>T ( C5TRALI/S 9 MAK+ !SE TWO V]Y DI/9CT L9ES ( DEVELOPM5T ID5TICAL OR 5TANGL+ !M ) EA* O!R4 ,LIB]T>IAN MUNICIPALI/S MU/ ALWAYS KEEP ! DI/9CTION BETWE5 9/ITUTIONAL & PHYSICAL DEC5TRALIZATION CLE>LY 9 M9D1 & RECOGNIZE ?AT ! =M] IS 5TIRELY A*IEVABLE EV5 :ILE ! LATT] MAY TAKE YE>S TO ATTA94 

,NOVEMB] #c1 #aii 

,FROM 3 ,AN>*Y ,>*IVES4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,OCTOB] #c#a1 #aihi 3 ,! ,MEAN+ ( ,CONF$]ALISM -- ,PUBLICATION4 
,FEBRU>Y #a1 #bag 3 ,! ,MEAN+ ( ,CONF$]ALISM -- ,ADD$4 
,DECEMB] #c1 #bba 3 ,! ,MEAN+ ( ,CONF$]ALISM -- ,UPDAT$4 

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