A realist epistemic utopia? Epistemic practices in a climate camp

Participatory democratic practices are often seen as caught between two ideals: inclusiveness and efficiency. On the one hand, they meant to provide “democratic deepening” by using inclusive processes giving everyone a voice; on other expected deliver good results (Gilman, 2012). But can have both at once? Can deliberation be more than an “endless meeting” (Polletta, 2004)? And positive epistemic potentials of (Landemore, 2013, chap. 4) forms political participation unlocked in practice? In this paper, we discuss case study that provides reason for cautious optimism: deliberative1 decision-making task distribution 2019 “climate camp” Germany. Here, radical ideals inclusion horizontality2 came up against practical imperatives efficiency with regard day-to-day organization camp. We analyze detail how participants camp dealt kinds tension: tension use differential knowledge risk thereby creating hierarchies; participatory efficiency, which, noted outset, has been challenge deliberative practices. argue through number strategies, managed overcome these tensions, strategies overcoming former also helping second one. what this—admittedly very specific—setting tell us about generally speaking. Our paper is situated intersection sets literature. First, draw ideas from theory (Cohen, 1989; Gutman & Thomson, 2004; Parkinson Mansbridge, 2012; Young, 2001) literature advantages (Anderson, 2006; Landemore, 2013). Many democrats pointed out social movements arenas (e.g., Dryzek, 2000; Fraser, 1990). our contribution real-life example, based ethnographic work,3 unlocked, turning it into factor efficient problem-solving. make explicit requires specific attitude set usually not included abstract ideal deliberation. Second, speaks democracy (Menser, 2018) movement studies Della Porta, 2009; Felicetti, 2016; Leach, Maeckelbergh, 1983; Polletta, Sitrin, original follows focusing tensions participation. While most available research focuses problems concerning effective realization reaching consensus, focus successful mechanisms which deal under radically conditions.4 next section (Section 2), describe horizontality tried realize detail. then turn its practices, identifying some inegalitarian effects hierarchies, such unequal knowledge, avoided 3.1). This followed discussion tension, was 3.2). critically whether lessons learned generalized 4). conclusion 5), summarize results: shows successfully combine strong possible. To extent, climate “real utopias.” observations during 7-day stay camp5 activities, well 11 semi-structured interviews participants, lasted 30 90 min.6 The understands itself, according self-description website, “self-organized, grassroots trying achieve least possible hierarchies.”7 Its aims were fight justice alternative living, networks, educating oneself, developing actions change.8 There imperative “get things done,” because necessities come setting running several hundred people. makes especially interesting site analysis: charge actors occupied “nothing but talking” plausible given hands-on tasks, building infrastructure providing food, had take place addition workshops activities.9 attempted put practice, while same time facing challenges integrating expertise their cooperation. permeated camp's culture tradition mobilizations goes back anarchism (Maeckelberg, 2009, p. 70) greatly influenced since 1960s, including alter-globalization 15) anti-austerity like Occupy Wall Street (Graeber, aim prefiguring alternatives enacting “do necessarily match hegemonic definitions actually existing systems or even normative liberal ideals” (Paley, 2002, 485, quoted Maeckelberg, 32). movements' reflect struggles being together. They understood regulative need actively created searched for, governance structures people's ensuing habits do prepare them life. Marianne who provided complete analyses movement, describes “term used refer less hierarchical networked relationships organizing attempt limit power inequalities” (Maeckelbergh, 69). It “prefiguration egalitarian praxis” does mean, however, all equal: “Movement approaches fluid diverse, notions share common limiting relations” 108). further specify Mackelberg's definition characterizing active continuous creation situations cooperation entail main elements: reducing give orders others minimum (hierarchy reduction) promoting consensus different levels decision-making. hierarchy reduction making equal cooperators, decision-makers.10 Regarding inclusion, committed idea nobody should feel excluded deliberations, decision-processes, activities For reason, did only mean formally guaranteeing anyone participate camp, aware counteract subtle exclusion go hand language, national identity, aesthetics, gender class. study, without difficulties confronted. seldom given, sometimes found difficult know division labor. Sometimes hard understand implicit rules communication particularly acute those familiar According testimony interviewees, decision fluent generated frictions among that, worst case, led blocking exercise someone's veto right (this, experienced activist, happened just once previous year's within first 7 days current camp). Is say realized camp? develop any quantitative criteria measure extent inclusion. sense, conclusions taken caution. However, participants' own testimonies picture. cases, explicitly believed horizontal inclusive, and, could appeal experience show this. More concretely, identified groups interviewees: participated culture, already similar camps compare experiences. group interviewees expressed sense surprise: if difficult, beginning, adapt quickly cooperation, communicating commanding. satisfaction quality experiences, remember really bad experience. Of course, problems. interviewee Toni, oversaw technology described situation (older) man telling her she asking he proposed. general willingness success despite means confront issues.11 key order uphold face certain challenges. took camp: production, sharing information passing others, tasks required introducing newcomers dimensions self-organized working groups, gender-just language.12 include introduced consensus-based procedures identify, define, search solutions includes plenary deliberations is: protest, demonstration, private event? “spaces knowledges generated, modified, mobilized diverse actors” (Casas-Cortés Osterweil, 2008, 20) recently explored sociological literature, bringing “new inspiration sociology” puts question usual cognitive work sociologists (Cox, 2014, see similarly Arribas Lonzano, 2018). Certainly, ways far beyond sphere activity.13 justified fact here combining pronounced. notion “epistemic practice” analytical tool analysis essential dimension mobilization, patterns behavior coordination. view takes Dewey's account experimental inquiry, articulation shared experiences promotion learning (Dewey, 1938, 6; Seigfried, 1996). Dewey, inquiry oriented towards resolution arise context practice. An important feature merely “given” progressively defined process solution. As will herein, “experimentalist” sense. One noteworthy cases worked facilitators, relying solely self-organization mutual support. stands contrast many deliberation, lottocratic assemblies Fishkin, budgeting committees 2012), role facilitators decisive (see Lee, 2015 facilitation industry). respect, Section 4. mentioned, maximal manifest differences skills existed individuals. These concerned wide range issues, technical familiarity behavioral aesthetic codes. Some possessed useful acquired camps, professional lives, free electricity water infrastructures time. organizing, preparation never teams. Those arrived better overview needed find way spaces. able master terminologies codes, thanks year-long activism membership “political culture,” norms “right” clothes wear “appropriate” terms use. experts environmental justice, carbon extraction, urban mobility precisely learn topics. Participants social-structural, cultural, historical, psychological circumstantial reasons knowledge. much danger ideals. spoke risks “dominant discussion” (Ronja: 12:07) “imposes concepts” (Toni: 5:32), exclusionary “community knowledge,” superiority organizational team expert (Ronja 12:07), languages (Toni 02:08). hierarchization (where person tells it) cannot fully hand) skills, curbing tendencies relations are, information, connected emphasis placed diffusion transferring demonstrates belief held particular someone, ought circulated spread across network. type resisted claims better, done, happen next—the prediction. (2009, 125) Accordingly, prevented hierarchies arising all, minimized reproduction over constant awareness recreation equality 162). diverge somewhat analysis. Even below made reflected upon, represented habitualized interaction mostly unconsciously. fact, contact character horizontalization challenge, interviewees. list Table 1, below, systematizing resources articulate, with, problems, (intentionally not) maximizing described, along Deweyan lines, understanding knowledge-production endeavors. earlier, experimentalism new relevant topics may course action redefined participants. involves fundamental openness innovation, valorization “try out.” distinguish four horizontalizing embody experimentalist approach. I still impressive […] people get involved, i.e., try construction [of camp]. say, am now involved toilet lot look, now? (Rosa 00:11:50) so out, maybe it's great. create spaces 'Ah, okay, cool, you've done before, you overestimate your abilities underestimate 'how is'. 'But definitely offer opportunity yourself. So yourself, when there discussion, ‘Ah, don't yet about’, I'll pass microphone 00:36:42) vein, Juri comments: “In massive friendliness mistakes, completely okay mistakes condemned having something wrong” (Juri 00:19:32). Openness resourceful horizontality, condition collective individual learning. Another report (re-)defining basic concepts “gender,” “consensus,” etc. Fluidity represents concrete interpretations enriched adapted realities. At time, fluidity allowed perspectives since, point view, no said monopoly definition. surprising variety topics, ranging issues care, welcomed open Open offered possibility initiating offering workshops, themselves chose. introduce ones stimulated promoted clear advantages: questions, perspective, connections brought reflexivity aspects remained implicit. presence signaled everyone's potentially Furthermore, where conceived interested topic space expert. capacity community avoid specialization potential leading structures. done: engagement reduced promoted. processes. Each combination expression following mechanisms: A major strategy consisted involving almost would accessible small leaders. synchronic diachronic dimension: From kept anyone's reach. full involvement start beginning until end constructing dismantling way, group, team, claim part exclusive territory. organized low-threshold buttons serve individually designed groups. wearers signal willing respective worn changing and—very important—can off.14 enhanced functional capacities anybody ask help might previously of. atmosphere acquaintance By thus counteracted tendency expertise—even camp—into authority. formalized settings assemblies, individuals confident participate, formal communication, felt insecure speaking public, worried contributions irrelevant. informal discussions, helped hesitated settings. There, opinions meet requirements language express emotions. Informal functioning conduct familiar. facilitated spacious-temporal arrangements (position tables, chairs tents; sofas bar; parties; introduction breaks daily program, etc.). interviews, learned—about moral positioning topics—in discussions. Ronja describes: “Simply talking … I've much, becoming sensitive feminist increasing my awareness. personal stuff!” 00:45:01). Mucke points workshops: “… there, participate! That's why important, else do. What failed account? change? [We discussed this,] informally!” (Mucke 00:21:01). technology, cis-men topic, us, let too happen. So, build equipment, solder, needs sound engineering, control mixer, cables, 00:16:05). sure whole basics arrive subgroup Relatedly, existence someone else's background discussing matter task. Spontaneity opened possibilities participation: present, point, somewhere might, knew before. Julio “[…] You asked competences justification” (Julio 00:05:25). Since lack specific, gender-sensitive, terminology great care translations explain newcomers. Several reported gender-sensitive Finally, observed downplayed “invisibilized” abilities, relevance performing adopt term humility” discussions virtue epistemology (Medina, 2013; pp. 43–44, 79; Roberts Woods, 2007, 9), phenomenon. expressing humility “disappear” performed, avoid, subtlety, things. area developed habit doubt wondering somebody stake. important. You're supposed ‘act important,’ quite skeptical privileges, privilege. Here structured around functions, functions predetermined. them. 00:52:27)15 Summarizing various mechanisms, treated good: everybody's teacher everybody others. observe remarks competition privileges it. “Here, purpose distancing oneself position—or legitimation position—in hierarchy. Expertise share” 00:33:34). generate non-hierarchical interactions operating skills. relatively identified: kind namely, done. exposed pressure referred performance