“Networks built upon relationships rather than formal structures feel more resonant with the post-modern social, political, economic, and cultural climate.” — Mimi Kim
Reading Practicing New Worlds Abolition and Emergent Strategies by Andrea J. Ritchie was an insightful yet dense endeavor into alternative methods of governance that prioritize community, social justice, and moving at the speed of trust. Seeking a smooth transition to self-governance, this novel breaks down traditional top-down organizing in favor of “decentralized networks, strong communities, and transformative movements.”
Drawing from past and current social justice movements, Ritchie invites the reader on a journey to dismantle systems of oppression, including top-down organizing to ignite real institutional change. Emergent strategies are defined as “leverage relatively simple interactions to affect complex patterns, systems, and transformation using principles of adaptation, interdependence, and decentralization, fractal awareness, resilience, nonlinear and iterative change, creating possibilities.”
Ritchie emphasizes the importance of micro-interactions made in good faith to undermine oppressive systems. Much like the Network, we join together in good faith and shared principles that foster community and resilience; without it, we wouldn’t be having a conversation on how to sustain the Network once funding sunsets.
The principles of emerging strategies are:
- Fractal, recognizing yourself at the micro and macro level;
- Adaptive, focus on staying purposeful in the face of change;
- Nonlinear and iterative;
- Resilient and transformative, moving at the speed of trust;
- Interdependent and decentralized;
- Create more possibilities
Ritchie uses the abolition movement to illustrate these principles in practice. She defines abolition of the Prison Industrial Complex (PIC) as “a political commitment to and a practice of a world without surveillance, police, prisons…immigration detention centers, locked hospital wards, etc.” She challenges the system to envision a litany of alternatives and processes that provide prosperity and protection for the most vulnerable populations.
In the next few months, Storm and I will guide the Network through potential transition pathways, the voting process, and how we can transform into a self-governed self-sustained Network. Through research, consultation, and conversation with alumni, we’re exploring various options to make this transition inclusive, equitable, and smooth. We hope you’ll all go on this journey with us.