Embracing Decentralization

Lets be Clear:

This is NOT Libertarian Anarchism or Libertarian Communism. This is NOT an embracement of collectivism. There is NO social justice involved. This is an exploration of how elements of Libertarianism and Anarcho-Communism can work together to create a fair, voluntary society, that protects each individuals’ civil liberties, and fosters free and open innovation, while protecting against Monopolies and the natural consolidation of our economy. The core philosophy behind this contemplation can be summarized as Decentralized Voluntaryism.

So what AM I talking about, then?

We all want a fairer, more sustainable, and innovative society. The Difference lies in what we view as likely successful approaches. My premise is that select principles of voluntary anarcho-communism (close-knit communities that voluntarily share labor efforts and resources, yet respect the concept of private property) fit perfectly within a framework of libertarian ideals and provides a promising combination for the protection of individual civil liberties. This hybrid system, rooted in decentralization and voluntary participation, offers unprecedented potential for human innovation and development. In a system like this, charity and volunteer work meshes with social community engagement to replace an institutional approach to problem solving. Let’s explore how and why this approach stands out, using historical examples to illustrate the effectiveness of decentralized systems and the power of voluntary participation over coercion.

The concept of decentralized governance is key to this framework. By empowering local communities to govern themselves, we ensure decisions are made by those most affected, promoting relevance and responsiveness. This mirrors the structure of a peer-to-peer network where each node operates independently yet collaboratively. Take the Zapatista movement in Chiapas, Mexico, for example. They’ve created autonomous communities that self-govern through local assemblies, emphasizing direct democracy, mutual aid, and sustainable living. This decentralized governance has led to strong social cohesion and resilience in the face of the cartel violence surrounding them.

Another powerful example is the Rojava region in Syria, where a decentralized governance model based on democratic confederalism has been implemented. This system promotes local autonomy, equality, and ecological sustainability, showcasing the potential of decentralized structures to foster innovation and development even in challenging conditions.

Economic equity and free markets are also central to this hybrid system. By combining communal management of essential services like healthcare and education with private enterprise, we can foster economic equity and innovation. Cooperative businesses thrive within a free market, balancing efficiency with fairness. The Mondragon Corporation in the Basque region of Spain exemplifies this. As a federation of worker cooperatives operating on principles of mutual aid and democratic decision-making, Mondragon has proven that decentralized, cooperative business models can be highly productive and resilient, fostering innovation through collective effort.

Voluntary participation and mutual aid are critical to the success of this system. Tangible benefits like access to resources and social recognition motivate participation, leading to higher productivity and satisfaction compared to coercion. The historical examples we’ve reviewed demonstrate that people are more committed and creative when they work voluntarily and collaboratively. Voluntary participation also fosters strong social bonds and a sense of community, which are essential for collective well-being and resilience. In contrast, coercive systems often breed resentment, reducing overall productivity and social cohesion. Promoting mutual aid and ensuring transparent processes build trust and encourage active engagement, while decentralized, voluntary systems promote sustainable development by ensuring decisions reflect the needs and values of local communities, leading to fairer outcomes and long-term sustainability.

Environmental stewardship is another benefit of this decentralized approach. Decentralized management of resources supports sustainable practices, ensuring long-term ecological balance and community well-being. A welcome alternative to the corporate gimmicks our government is lobbied to propose, that reduce individual freedoms and in the end, either do nothing to benefit our ecology or worse, end up being detrimental to our environment.

A good example of this false environmental stewardship is the electric vehicle industry, which, much like the tobacco industry in the last century, heavily funds corporate studies to manage the narrative around EVs and their environmental impact. Despite the industry’s efforts to portray EVs as eco-friendly, the reality reveals a different story. The lithographic process used to create circuit boards for these vehicles is highly polluting. Additionally, the mining required for lithium-ion batteries is extremely harmful to the environment, leading to significant ecological damage. The batteries themselves, while having shorter replacement intervals than needed to make up for the carbon footprint of manufacture, also pose risks, including heavy metal leakage and fire hazards. These issues combined suggest that buying and operating a new electric vehicle may be more detrimental to the environment than buying and using a well-maintained second-hand combustion engine vehicle. For more on this perspective, see the following studies:
https://nypost.com/2024/03/05/business/evs-release-more-toxic-emissions-are-worse-for-the-environment-study/
https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2021/06/09/stop-calling-green-energy-clean/
https://news.mongabay.com/2009/10/chinas-pearl-river-suffers-from-almost-impossible-to-remove-pollution/
A new article going more in-depth on the environmental impact of EVs and the nuances involved is coming soon.

This hybrid system combining anarcho-communist and libertarian principles offers a powerful framework for human innovation and development. By embracing decentralization, voluntary participation, and focusing on sustainability, we can create a society that maximizes human potential and ensures fair growth. Historical examples like Mondragon, the Zapatista communities, and Rojava illustrate the viability and benefits of such an approach making this decentralized, voluntary model stand out as a beacon of hope for a free and innovative world.

It is critical to keep in mind the importance of measured implementation of decentralized solutions and to continuously evaluate progress to identify emergent obstacles. Though decentralization offers the most potential for human growth and development; application without thoughtful integration and adequate time for economies to adjust and class dynamics to shift without socioeconomic shock can make the difference between a successful and detrimental integration of decentralization mechanisms into our national and global framework