Cooperation vs authoritarianism in Spain
Social change and systems change go hand-in-hand. Movements for democracy and human rights are most effective when they aim to transform unjust, unequitable economic systems. In this episode, Laura Flanders travels to Spain to learn how people in two of the regions most brutally repressed…
Direct democracy and the passion for political participation
Yavor Tarinski is an independent researcher and activist whose publications and talks center on the possibilities of direct democracy and commoning practices as an alternative to the current social imaginary. In this interview with Eve Olney he discusses some of the ideas regarding where direct…
Grassroots democracies form North American coalition
For a long weekend in September, 29 2019 organizations dedicated to participatory democracy and the solidarity economy gathered in Detroit for Symbiosis, a “Congress of Municipal Movements.” Despite working on similar projects, it was the first time that many participants had the opportunity to meet…
Utopia, not futurism: Why doing the impossible is the most rational thing we can do
On August 24, 1978, Murray Bookchin gave a lecture in Amherst, Massachusetts. In his speech, Bookchin argued against the ideology of futurism and for ecological utopianism. In the Q&A session, he pointed out that he was not against technology itself, he was against technocracy, and…
Flatpack Democracy 2.0
As faith in political systems and politicians continues to plummet and climate change escalates, an alternative that empowers local people to rescue their own communities is vital. How can politics be reclaimed by the people? Fed up with seeing their valued local services crumble over…
Meet the city council at-large candidate endorsed by Elizabeth Warren
Democratic 2020 presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren recently endorsed Philadelphia City Council contender Kendra Brooks, from the Working Families Party. This interview with K. Brooks deepens her views on politics. Photo: Felipe Ribeiro
Think globally, act locally?
The author asks: how can local action further our goals for global transformation? First, there is a reflection on the limits of local action and local democracy. Then the author goes back to social ecology writings and other theoretical discussions to find some clues. Finally,…
How can we implement direct democracy in European cities?
An interview with Bernardo Gutierrez, responsible for the Innovation Laboratories of MediaLab Prado de Madrid at the Our Common City conference held in Budapest (February 22 & 23, 2019). Part one: Part two: Photo: Joel Filipe
How does a single issue civic movement transform into a political entity?
An interview with Dobrica Veselnovic, co-founder of Ne Da(vi)mo Beograd during the Our Common City conference held in Budapest (February 22 & 23, 2019). Part one: Part two: