An Alternative Conception of Politics in the Federation of Damanhur and Auroville: Politicization of Ecological, Spiritual and Social Ambitions

Kökerer, Can Mert (2017) An Alternative Conception of Politics in the Federation of Damanhur and Auroville: Politicization of Ecological, Spiritual and Social Ambitions. In: Communal Studies Association (CSA) Conference, October 5-7, 2017, Zoar Village State Memorial, Zoar, Ohio.

Text Kokerer Can-Merth - Politicization of Ambitions in Damanur and AV (Conference paper, 2017).pdf Download (332kB)

Abstract

Formation of new types of political experiences in intentional communities, such as the Federation of Damanhur and Auroville whose active residents do not participate in the modern political field, results in an alternative conception of politics. This conception of politics, which is created through the daily participation of active Damanhurians and Aurovillians in community life and their adoption of consensus decision-making at these communities, diverges from the representative democratic systems. I spent two weeks in each community as a participant observer. I interviewed 7 active residents in each community and asked them questions about their life trajectories. I found out that many of their active residents had never been engaged in any kind of political movement prior to their relocation. They had always been looking for alternative ways of life, but they had never gotten politically engaged to reach their social, spiritual and ecological ambitions. By social, spiritual and ecological ambitions I mean their unceasing willingness to live among a group of people who share similar goals such as caring for each other, adoptinga less materialized and more spiritual way of life, and respecting nature. Active Damanhurians and Aurovillians mentioned these ambitions as their major reasons for moving to these communities, and not political ambitions. They moved to these communities to fulfil these ambitions which have found their echo in the community life in Damanhur and Auroville.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Subjects:	Collective Organisation > Collective Organisation (General)
Depositing User:	Admin User
Date Deposited:	14 Dec 2020 06:43
Last Modified:	14 Dec 2020 06:43
URI:	http://aurorepo.in/id/eprint/119

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