Un-ordered Organisation: Exploring Processes in an Emergent Social Movement

This paper uses concepts from complexity theory to metaphorically frame an exploratory analysis of emergence within a social movement. In particular un-order, self-organisation and global local linkages are used to conceptually frame the social forum. The Sydney Social Forum (SSF) represents one of many emergent, self-organising units within the global social forum movement. Preliminary results from nine interviews with social forum participants are then explored to examine some of the organizing processes. Some of the organisational characteristics of an this emergent social movement are discussed specifically in regard to consensual decision-making, online communication, identity formation and action in absence of structure and role definition. Wefind that some of the processes suggest (dis) organisation and are similar to processes identified within the New Social Movement (NSM) literature. These emergent movements are creating a new voice for exploration of social and environmental issues and an understanding of the way in which they operate is useful in breaking down barriers to encourage wider participation in such movements with the aim of creating alternative solutions.