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You need a constitution and by laws to weed out the chaff.
They don't really have to be written, but they need to be agreed on.
(If you plan to maintain 100 members, they probably should be written.)
This might be a good starting point, although I think "Federation" might be a better model,
and I think the Core Principles listed in the article are misguided. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intent...ity#Governance
(But, it is food for thought.)
I've seen groups try to organize before, if it ain't written down, it don't really exist. the days of the handshake agreement are long gone.
In any group, you have to have a command structure to govern and to settle arguments, and to provide vision and direction for the group or everyone just does their own thing, and argues with everyone else about what should be done.
Unless you have a structure that all participants sign on to and agree to abide by, you just have a mob. doesn't matter the size of the group, but the larger it is, the more necessary a government of some kind is. Even an HOA which I detest, is just a way of regulating the mob and enforcing the standards of the group.
That's the primary reason we have a Representative Republic and not a democracy. The founding fathers knew that democracy is just another term for mob rule where the most powerful group rules.
I like the old saying of democracy being 2 lions and a sheep deciding by majority rule what's for lunch.
I've seen groups try to organize before, if it ain't written down, it don't really exist. the days of the handshake agreement are long gone.
In any group, you have to have a command structure to govern and to settle arguments, and to provide vision and direction for the group or everyone just does their own thing, and argues with everyone else about what should be done.
Unless you have a structure that all participants sign on to and agree to abide by, you just have a mob. doesn't matter the size of the group, but the larger it is, the more necessary a government of some kind is. Even an HOA which I detest, is just a way of regulating the mob and enforcing the standards of the group.
In general, I agree with you. The one group I know of (I have sketchy knowledge of a second group) that is working well, isn't run as a democracy. They have an advisory council and an authoritarian leader. If a member doesn't like the way it runs, they can leave, any time. If someone doesn't abide by the rules of the group, the council votes on whether to expel the wayward member.
Quote:
That's the primary reason we have a Representative Republic and not a democracy. The founding fathers knew that democracy is just another term for mob rule where the most powerful group rules.
I like the old saying of democracy being 2 lions and a sheep deciding by majority rule what's for lunch.
I agree, except that the "Republic" part of it, which seems to capture everyone's imagination isn't the important part.
The important thing is that America was founded on the Constitution and the Bible. Those who founded it, in spite of propaganda to the contrary, believed in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and they wrote the Constitution to split up the power of the government because they knew that all men were sinners, and needed checks and balances on their power.
John Adams:
"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
Madison:
[the]"Constitution requires “sufficient virtue among men for self-government, [otherwise] nothing less than the chains of despotism can restrain them from destroying and devouring one another."
In general, I agree with you. The one group I know of (I have sketchy knowledge of a second group) that is working well, isn't run as a democracy. They have an advisory council and an authoritarian leader. If a member doesn't like the way it runs, they can leave, any time. If someone doesn't abide by the rules of the group, the council votes on whether to expel the wayward member.
I agree, except that the "Republic" part of it, which seems to capture everyone's imagination isn't the important part.
The important thing is that America was founded on the Constitution and the Bible. Those who founded it, in spite of propaganda to the contrary, believed in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and they wrote the Constitution to split up the power of the government because they knew that all men were sinners, and needed checks and balances on their power.
John Adams:
"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
Madison:
[the]"Constitution requires “sufficient virtue among men for self-government, [otherwise] nothing less than the chains of despotism can restrain them from destroying and devouring one another."
(I might mention, "virtue" doesn't mean what most people think it means.)
Don't argue any of that, however, the definition of a republic is:
A republic is a form of government in which:
Political power rests with the public through their representatives
The social and political affairs of the country are considered a “public matter”
Representatives of the citizen body hold the power to rule
The supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote
It is usually governed by elected representatives of the people and a president
Per this definition, a just, moral, and virtuous people can have the greatest country on earth, at least until the socialist/communist types start trying to destroy the "moral and virtuous" part.
I've seen groups try to organize before, if it ain't written down, it don't really exist. the days of the handshake agreement are long gone.
In any group, you have to have a command structure to govern and to settle arguments, and to provide vision and direction for the group or everyone just does their own thing, and argues with everyone else about what should be done.
Unless you have a structure that all participants sign on to and agree to abide by, you just have a mob. doesn't matter the size of the group, but the larger it is, the more necessary a government of some kind is. Even an HOA which I detest, is just a way of regulating the mob and enforcing the standards of the group.
That's the primary reason we have a Representative Republic and not a democracy. The founding fathers knew that democracy is just another term for mob rule where the most powerful group rules.
PS.. just checked were up to 108 people interested.
I like the old saying of democracy being 2 lions and a sheep deciding by majority rule what's for lunch.
Most of those who want this to happen already belonged to the co op or another co op, so we/they understanding the "parameters" of an organization. However staying in their lane is easier when commerce and money are involved. The vast majority of the 'work' was done by the co op employees who were paid a salary. That won't be the case with what is trying to take place now. I do know one of the ladies who is quite old, has some really good skills when it comes living off what nature provides. She can do some amazing things using Palmetto berries, Seminole pumpkins and gators.
They way it stands right now is... it's pretty basic, and 101 people are 'interested'. However like my self, we have a family of adults from the same household... my wife and I, my son and his wife, etc., that 4 adults not including kids. So the point I'm making is... many of the "interested" are really a unit that already live on their land together. Probably 30+ head of household, but that's a guess.
I've seen groups try to organize before, if it ain't written down, it don't really exist. the days of the handshake agreement are long gone.
In any group, you have to have a command structure to govern and to settle arguments, and to provide vision and direction for the group or everyone just does their own thing, and argues with everyone else about what should be done.
Unless you have a structure that all participants sign on to and agree to abide by, you just have a mob. doesn't matter the size of the group, but the larger it is, the more necessary a government of some kind is. Even an HOA which I detest, is just a way of regulating the mob and enforcing the standards of the group.
That's the primary reason we have a Representative Republic and not a democracy. The founding fathers knew that democracy is just another term for mob rule where the most powerful group rules.
I like the old saying of democracy being 2 lions and a sheep deciding by majority rule what's for lunch.
Most of those who want this to happen already belonged to the co op or another co op, so we/they understanding the "parameters" of an organization. However staying in their lane is easier when commerce and money are involved. The vast majority of the 'work' was done by the co op employees who were paid a salary. That won't be the case with what is trying to take place now. I do know one of the ladies who is quite old, has some really good skills when it comes living off what nature provides. She can do some amazing things using Palmetto berries, Seminole pumpkins and gators.
They way it stands right now is... it's pretty basic, and 101 people are 'interested'. However like my self, we have a family of adults from the same household... my wife and I, my son and his wife, etc., that 4 adults not including kids. So the point I'm making is... many of the "interested" are really a unit that already live on their land together. Probably 30+ head of household, but that's a guess.
PS... just checked, up to 108 "interested". The lady who dispatched the co op, (she was really the go to gal over the years), is retired and getting things organized. I have complete confidence in her, and she knows basically everyone worth knowing in the area.
...
Per this definition, a just, moral, and virtuous people can have the greatest country on earth, at least until the socialist/communist types start trying to destroy the "moral and virtuous" part.
This is where the old school definition of "Virtuous" comes into play. It not only encompasses the not doing wrong, but extends to being willing to do what is right.
Rooting out the Marxist types is the easy job, given to the council.
The hard part is balance of liberty vs law and order. To survive, the governance of an intentional community must not only guard against mob rule, but also against the insidious ambitions springing forth from the Law of Oligarchy, and Acton's Maxim.
I think this is why the only successful (for more than 20 years) community I know of began as one family, and invited others to join them. The head of the family still acts as chief, but delegates certain issues to the council. I don't know what plans they have for succession, since he is getting on in his years.
...
They way it stands right now is... it's pretty basic, and 101 people are 'interested'. However like my self, we have a family of adults from the same household... my wife and I, my son and his wife, etc., that 4 adults not including kids. So the point I'm making is... many of the "interested" are really a unit that already live on their land together. Probably 30+ head of household, but that's a guess.
OK, this makes a difference. I was visualizing 100+ head of household.
With 30 HoH (as opposed to 100 HoH) you can afford to be a little less formal
But, only a little.
I would still recommend laying down a framework for limiting what the governance of the community is allowed to be involved in (which I previously referred to as a confederation).
Simplified system of rules:
What's yours is yours,
What's mine is mine,
Don't trespass.
The End.
Addendum :
Be considerate of others.
That is not a community.
But, nice try.
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