No subject
Sat Mar 14 09:17:39 CET 2015
urgent plans to rescue citizens suffocating from the austerity policies,
such as with the implementation of several modalities of basic income, and
the revision of public services privatization. An ethical code to regulate
politicians regarding transparency and the abolition of politician
privileges (i.e. limits wages for politicians ($29,000 a year)) and the
commitment to support citizens iniciatives.
A part of its political importance, it is fascinating from an *organization=
al
perspective*. In less than one year and without connections with political,
economical, judicial and traditional media power, ordinary citizens coming
together have been able to gain important positions in the political
system. A victory for David over Goliath. Combining among its means crowd
funding, crowdsourced programs, neighbourhood assemblies, and networked
online voting. But also, as in the case of Podemos leader, building on
popularity gained by his own TV program.
How was the song? First we take Barcelona, and then we take Manhattan?
Indeed, some are working for it. There has been a delegation of activist
from NYC visiting Spain <http://www.nyctospain.com/> during the campaign in
order to learn from the experience and "export" such people raising in
their own cities. There are many lessons and insights to extract. I try to
suggest you just a few hoping inspirational to start similar process in
other countries.
*The CC effect* - One of the - mainly young - citizens struggle that
immediately preceded and afterward fed the emergence of the 15M
mobilization was provoked by a reaction to a law promoted by the
Government, repressive of the online sharing and the free culture (Sinde
Law in December 2010). To a large extent this movement of collaborative
cultures on the web reacted like Lessig did in 2008, shifting from
=E2=80=9CCreative Commons=E2=80=9D to =E2=80=9CChange Congress=E2=80=9D. It=
moved from focusing on
sectorial politics connected to intellectual property and Internet
regulation to the understanding that to defend these freedoms it is
necessary to change the political system as a whole. In this move, the free
culture and peer production model became the inspirational organizational
form to organize political protest. I explained in detail that move in
my luncheon
presentation at Berkman center
<https://cyber.law.harvard.edu/events/luncheon/2011/11/morell> and at this
article
<http://www.onlinecreation.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/mfm_freeculturem=
ovement.pdf>.
The Spanish translation of Yochai Benkler's =E2=80=9CThe Wealth of networks
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wealth_of_Networks>=E2=80=9D in this 2015=
is not
a coincidence, as a resource to understand those organizational models. In
sum, the sectors holding the expertises around methodologies of co-creation
and to engage with new forms of collaboration supported by online means has
great political potential.
*The Wikipedia =E2=80=9Chidden innovation=E2=80=9D model* - Even if there a=
re large
organizational innovations, the discourse should be =E2=80=9Cplain=E2=80=9D=
, or =E2=80=9Caustere=E2=80=9D. Mako
Hill studied why Wikipedia was able to success in 2001
<http://mako.cc/academic/hill-almost_wikipedia-DRAFT.pdf>, and other
attemps to built an online encyclopedia did not. One of its conclusion is
that Wikipedia was the case adopting a more easy to understand concept,
even if being innovative in its method. It held firm on the traditional
notion of an encyclopedia: an idea old few centuries is easy to understand.
Similarly, it could be argue here. The discourse able to raise votes for a
political deep change in Spain is not vanguardist or particularly
innovative, but popular, accessible to everyone, connected to basic needs.
Some point to radical populism reinterpreting Laclau and Mouffe. It is a
=E2=80=9Cbattle=E2=80=9D around the common sense, around gaining the hegemo=
ny. While, more
vanguardist models, such as new parties connected to =E2=80=9Cinnovative=E2=
=80=9D discourse
and Internet identity, such as Pirate Party or X Party, have been relevant
providing organizational ideas, but did not work out obtaining general
population votes (X Party obtained 0.64 % at last year European elections).=
In
sum, innovative methods, but popular discourse connected to an agenda of ba=
sic
common needs.
*Top and Down *- These organizational processes are neither Top down not
Bottom up, but =E2=80=9CTop and Down=E2=80=9D. Perhaps, more precisely: =E2=
=80=9CA visually
recognizable top working for a distributed down=E2=80=9C. These forces rely=
on
strong leaders, but also on the raise of a collaborative and free to
operate base. A key concept is =E2=80=9Coverflow=E2=80=9D. It refers to the=
capacity of
losing control over the process, and to the freedom to operate in the
engagement in the mobilization process. The raising of creativity of
actions of support not under the control of the =E2=80=9Cparties=E2=80=9D s=
eems to be a
relevant aspect for the success of these processes (this is the case of the
movement of graphical liberation
<http://www.movimientodeliberaciongraficadebarcelona.com/> around the
candidatures). Furthermore, there are not clear boundaries about who is
part of the =E2=80=9Cparties=E2=80=9D or who is not, there are not rituals =
that establish
who is part or who is not, but self activation though participation is the
way to become part of it. Still leaders have strong presence, their face
became one of the key symbols of the process (i.e. the symbol at the voting
ballots is not the candidature logo, but the leader face). Visual symbols
in the visual Internet, where TV though Internet became again a key
channel. Particularly, TV and leadership remains a key channel to engage
with popular sectors of population, that early middle class social
movements adopters of Internet were not able to connect with. Leaders
credibility is built over communication capacity and long social
commitment. Candidatures lead by women - not matter their age - (women
leaders at main cities such as Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia) are better
able to increase vote by transmitting change and having a more democratic
leadership style. As Ada Colau Barcelona next major (and originally
zapatist put it): "lead by obeying people's orders". Leaders positions are
based on power =E2=80=9Cfor=E2=80=9C the base, not =E2=80=9Cover=E2=80=9D. =
In sum, a visually recognizable
social leadership, but an uncontrolled distributed form of engagement.
Again, these are just three "impressionist" insights from the current
people raising process in Spain. More to come. 2015 is the year of change,
so it will continue. Now, time to celebrate. I left you with the =E2=80=9Cr=
umba=E2=80=9D
music of the =E2=80=9Crun run=E2=80=9D singed by our next Barcelona major:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DwB6NDWKDyKg
Mayo from Barcelona
--=20
=C2=AB=C2=B7=C2=B4`=C2=B7.(*=C2=B7.=C2=B8(`=C2=B7.=C2=B8 =C2=B8.=C2=B7=C2=
=B4)=C2=B8.=C2=B7*).=C2=B7=C2=B4`=C2=B7=C2=BB
=C2=AB=C2=B7=C2=B4=C2=A8*=C2=B7=C2=B8=C2=B8=C2=AB Mayo Fuster Morell =C2=BB=
.=C2=B8.=C2=B7*=C2=A8`=C2=B7=C2=BB @Lilaroja
=C2=AB=C2=B7=C2=B4`=C2=B7.(=C2=B8.=C2=B7=C2=B4(=C2=B8.=C2=B7* *=C2=B7.=C2=
=B8)`=C2=B7.=C2=B8).=C2=B7=C2=B4`=C2=B7=C2=BB
Faculty Associated. Berkman Center for Internet and Society. Harvard Univer=
sity.
Researcher. Institute of Government and Public Policies. Autonomous
University of Barcelona.
Ph.D European University Institute
Website: http://www.onlinecreation.info
Phone: 0034-648877748
The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to
which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged
material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination, distribution,
forwarding, or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this
information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is
prohibited without the express permission of the sender. If you received
this communication in error, please contact the sender and delete the
material from any computer.
--=20
Check out the Commons Transition Plan here at: http://commonstransition.org
P2P Foundation: http://p2pfoundation.net - http://blog.p2pfoundation.net
<http://lists.ourproject.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/p2p-foundation>Update=
s:
http://twitter.com/mbauwens; http://www.facebook.com/mbauwens
#82 on the (En)Rich list: http://enrichlist.org/the-complete-list/
--001a1134635ae3a20c0516f5657e
Content-Type: text/html; charset=UTF-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
<div dir=3D"ltr"><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote">---------- Forwarded messag=
e ----------<br>From: <b class=3D"gmail_sendername">Mayo Fuster Morell</b> =
<span dir=3D"ltr"><<a href=3D"mailto:mayo.fuster at eui.eu">mayo.fuster at eui=
.eu</a>></span><br>Date: Tue, May 26, 2015 at 6:55 AM<br>Subject: [membe=
rs] Commons conquer Barcelona! A victory for David over Goliath<br>To: P2P =
Value Members List <<a href=3D"mailto:members at lists.p2pvalue.eu">members=
@lists.p2pvalue.eu</a>><br><br><br>
<div bgcolor=3D"#FFFFFF" text=3D"#000000">
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0in;line-height:100%">Dear all! I know Barcelona =
politics is not the issue of the project, but in case of your interest I se=
nd you below a short reporting of municipal elections here and the commons =
conquering Barcelona approached
from digital culture angel. Cheers! Mayo</p>
<div><br>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:100%" align=3D"justify" lang=3D"e=
n-US"><b>Commons conquer Barcelona! A victory for David over Goliath
</b></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:100%" align=3D"justify" lang=3D"e=
n-US">Yesterday (May 24th) the candidature =E2=80=9CBarcelona in common=E2=
=80=9D won the municipal elections (the option of 1 of each 4 people voting=
). =E2=80=9CNow Madrid=E2=80=9D- a candidature also connected to commons
ethos - became a key force for the governance of Madrid city. Those are on=
ly two of the many surprises from yesterday municipal and regional election=
s in Spain. Cities might be the departing point of a larger political chang=
e. Electoral results opened up an
optimist scenario for the attempt to win also the national elections at th=
e end of this year, or even in a larger run, a South European coalition aga=
inst austerity.
</p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:100%" align=3D"justify" lang=3D"e=
n-US">Popular Party and Socialist Party remain the main parties, as since t=
he country transition to democracy in late 70s, but usual politics power su=
ffered an important blow.
<b>Bipartidism drooping</b> from 65% at the last elections 4 years ago to 5=
2% of the nationwide vote. The renewal of power forces, instead of its chan=
ge, are also promoted by status quo interests as by the creation of new par=
ties: the case of =E2=80=9CCitizens=E2=80=9D, which
also emerged with force as a new political protagonist. Still the irruptio=
n of citizens candidature is impressive for its dimension and its speed. It=
also favored the increase of at least 5 points electoral participation.</p=
>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:100%" align=3D"justify" lang=3D"e=
n-US">Only four years after<b> Indignados / 15M</b> rise up for "real =
democracy now" in opposition to politicians "who don't repres=
ent us" and the "dictatorship of the markets", its impact
has become so evident that cannot be any more denied. The composition of t=
he new candidatures are populated by the social movement fabric. To give a =
taste of it, Ada Colau direct action anti-eviction activist and squatter is=
going to be the next major of Barcelona.
A joke from history: an activist against housing evictions "evicts&qu=
ot; usual politicians from the city hall. Considering leaders trajectory, i=
t could also be said that the cycle started with the anti-Globalization Mov=
ement (the background of Colau or Pablo Iglesias,
leader of Podemos/Yes we can), but also succeeded to mobilized once again =
the generation that fought to bring back democracy in Spain against Franco =
regime (background of Manuela Carmena of =E2=80=9CNow Madrid=E2=80=9D, a re=
tired judge and the mos probable next major of Madrid).
</p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:100%" align=3D"justify" lang=3D"e=
n-US">From the
<b>programs</b>, the first thing to hightlight is the centrality of urgent =
plans to rescue citizens suffocating from the austerity policies, such as w=
ith the implementation of several modalities of basic income, and the revis=
ion of public services privatization.
An ethical code to regulate politicians regarding transparency and the abo=
lition of politician privileges (i.e. limits wages for politicians ($29,000=
a year)) and the commitment to support citizens iniciatives.
</p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:100%" align=3D"justify" lang=3D"e=
n-US">A part of its political importance, it is fascinating from an
<b>organizational perspective</b>. In less than one year and without connec=
tions with political, economical, judicial and traditional media power, ord=
inary citizens coming together have been able to gain important positions i=
n the political system.=C2=A0 A victory
for David over Goliath. Combining among its means crowd funding, crowdsour=
ced programs, neighbourhood assemblies, and networked online voting. But al=
so, as in the case of Podemos leader, building on popularity gained by his =
own TV program.
</p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:100%" align=3D"justify" lang=3D"e=
n-US">How was the song? First we take Barcelona, and then we take Manhattan=
? Indeed, some are working for it. There has been a delegation of activist =
from
<a href=3D"http://www.nyctospain.com/" target=3D"_blank">NYC visiting Spain=
</a> during the campaign in order to learn from the experience and "ex=
port" such people raising in their own cities. There are many lessons =
and insights to extract.
I try to suggest you just a few hoping inspirational to start similar proc=
ess in other countries.
</p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:100%" align=3D"justify" lang=3D"e=
n-US"><b>The CC effect</b> - One of the - mainly young - citizens struggle =
that immediately preceded and afterward fed the emergence of the 15M mobili=
zation was provoked by a reaction to
a law promoted by the Government, repressive of the online sharing and the=
free culture (Sinde Law in December 2010). To a large extent this movement=
of collaborative cultures on the web reacted like Lessig did in 2008, shif=
ting from =E2=80=9CCreative Commons=E2=80=9D to
=E2=80=9CChange Congress=E2=80=9D. It moved from focusing on sectorial pol=
itics connected to intellectual property and Internet regulation to the und=
erstanding that to defend these freedoms it is necessary to change the poli=
tical system as a whole. In this move, the free
culture and peer production model became the inspirational organizational =
form to organize political protest. I explained in detail that move in my
<a href=3D"https://cyber.law.harvard.edu/events/luncheon/2011/11/morell" ta=
rget=3D"_blank">
luncheon presentation at Berkman center</a> and at <a href=3D"http://www.on=
linecreation.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/mfm_freeculturemovement.pdf" t=
arget=3D"_blank">
this article</a>. The Spanish translation of Yochai Benkler's =E2=80=9C=
<a href=3D"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wealth_of_Networks" target=3D"_=
blank">The Wealth of networks</a>=E2=80=9D in this 2015 is not a coincidenc=
e, as a resource to understand those
organizational models. In sum, the sectors holding the expertises around m=
ethodologies of co-creation and to engage with new forms of collaboration s=
upported by online means has great political potential.
</p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:100%" align=3D"justify"><span lan=
g=3D"en-US"><b>The Wikipedia =E2=80=9Chidden innovation=E2=80=9D model</b> =
- Even if there are large organizational innovations, the discourse should =
be =E2=80=9Cplain=E2=80=9D,
</span><span lang=3D"en-US">or </span><span lang=3D"en-US">=E2=80=9C</span>=
<span lang=3D"en-US">austere</span><span lang=3D"en-US">=E2=80=9D</span><sp=
an lang=3D"en-US">.</span><span lang=3D"en-US">
</span><span lang=3D"en-US">Mako </span><span lang=3D"en-US">Hill <a href=
=3D"http://mako.cc/academic/hill-almost_wikipedia-DRAFT.pdf" target=3D"_bla=
nk">
studied why Wikipedia was able to success in 2001</a>, and other attemps to=
built an online encyclopedia did not. One of its conclusion is that Wikipe=
dia was the case adopting a more easy to understand concept, even if being =
innovative in its method. It held
firm on the traditional notion of an encyclopedia: an idea old few centuri=
es is easy to understand. Similarly, it could be argue here. The discourse =
able to raise votes for a political deep change in Spain is not vanguardist=
or particularly innovative, but
popular, </span><span lang=3D"en-US">accessible to everyone, </span><span =
lang=3D"en-US">connected to basic needs</span><span lang=3D"en-US">.</span>=
<span lang=3D"en-US"> Some point to radical populism reinterpreting
</span><span lang=3D"en-US">Laclau and</span> Mouffe. <span lang=3D"en-US">=
It is a =E2=80=9Cbattle=E2=80=9D around the common sense, around gaining th=
e hegemony. While, more vanguardist models, such as new parties connected t=
o =E2=80=9Cinnovative=E2=80=9D discourse and Internet identity, such
as Pirate Party or X Party, have been relevant providing organizational id=
eas, but did not work out obtaining general population votes
</span><span lang=3D"en-US">(X Party obtained </span>0.64 % at last year Eu=
ropean elections)<span lang=3D"en-US">.
</span><span lang=3D"en-US">In sum, innovative methods, but popular discour=
se connected to
</span><span lang=3D"en-US">an agenda of </span><span lang=3D"en-US">basic =
common needs.</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:100%" align=3D"justify" lang=3D"e=
n-US"><b>Top and Down
</b>- These organizational processes are neither Top down not Bottom up, bu=
t =E2=80=9CTop and Down=E2=80=9D. Perhaps, more precisely: =E2=80=9CA visua=
lly recognizable top working for a distributed down=E2=80=9C. These forces =
rely on strong leaders, but also on the raise of a collaborative
and free to operate base. A key concept is =E2=80=9Coverflow=E2=80=9D. It =
refers to the capacity of losing control over the process, and to the freed=
om to operate in the engagement in the mobilization process. The raising of=
creativity of actions of support not under the
control of the =E2=80=9Cparties=E2=80=9D seems to be a relevant aspect for=
the success of these processes (this is the case of the<a href=3D"http://w=
ww.movimientodeliberaciongraficadebarcelona.com/" target=3D"_blank"> moveme=
nt of graphical liberation</a>
around the candidatures). Furthermore, there are not clear boundaries abou=
t who is part of the =E2=80=9Cparties=E2=80=9D or who is not, there are not=
rituals that establish who is part or who is not, but self activation thou=
gh participation is the way to become part of it.
Still leaders have strong presence, their face became one of the key symbo=
ls of the process (i.e. the symbol at the voting ballots is not the candida=
ture logo, but the leader face). Visual symbols in the visual Internet, whe=
re TV though Internet became again
a key channel. Particularly, TV and leadership remains a key channel to en=
gage with popular sectors of population, that early middle class social mov=
ements adopters of Internet were not able to connect with. Leaders credibil=
ity is built over communication
capacity and long social commitment. Candidatures lead by women - not matt=
er their age - (women leaders at main cities such as Barcelona, Madrid and =
Valencia) are better able to increase vote by transmitting change and havin=
g a more democratic leadership style.
As Ada Colau Barcelona next major (and originally zapatist put it): "=
lead by obeying people's orders". Leaders positions are based on p=
ower =E2=80=9Cfor=E2=80=9C the base, not =E2=80=9Cover=E2=80=9D. In sum, a =
visually recognizable social leadership, but an uncontrolled distributed fo=
rm
of engagement.</p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:100%" align=3D"justify" lang=3D"e=
n-US">Again, these are just three "impressionist" insights from t=
he current people raising process in Spain. More to come. 2015 is the year =
of change, so it will continue. Now, time to celebrate.
I left you with the =E2=80=9Crumba=E2=80=9D music of the =E2=80=9Crun run=
=E2=80=9D singed by our next Barcelona major:
</p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:100%" align=3D"justify"><a href=
=3D"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DwB6NDWKDyKg" target=3D"_blank"><span =
lang=3D"en-US">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DwB6NDWKDyKg</span></a></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:100%" align=3D"justify" lang=3D"e=
n-US">Mayo from Barcelona<br>
</p>
<pre cols=3D"72">--=20
=C2=AB=C2=B7=C2=B4`=C2=B7.(*=C2=B7.=C2=B8(`=C2=B7.=C2=B8 =C2=B8.=C2=B7=C2=
=B4)=C2=B8.=C2=B7*).=C2=B7=C2=B4`=C2=B7=C2=BB
=C2=AB=C2=B7=C2=B4=C2=A8*=C2=B7=C2=B8=C2=B8=C2=AB Mayo Fuster Morell =C2=BB=
.=C2=B8.=C2=B7*=C2=A8`=C2=B7=C2=BB @Lilaroja
=C2=AB=C2=B7=C2=B4`=C2=B7.(=C2=B8.=C2=B7=C2=B4(=C2=B8.=C2=B7* *=C2=B7.=C2=
=B8)`=C2=B7.=C2=B8).=C2=B7=C2=B4`=C2=B7=C2=BB
Faculty Associated. Berkman Center for Internet and Society. Harvard Univer=
sity.
Researcher. Institute of Government and Public Policies. Autonomous Univers=
ity of Barcelona.
Ph.D European University Institute
Website: <a href=3D"http://www.onlinecreation.info" target=3D"_blank">http:=
//www.onlinecreation.info</a>
Phone: <a href=3D"tel:0034-648877748" value=3D"+34648877748" target=3D"_bla=
nk">0034-648877748</a></pre>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:100%" align=3D"justify" lang=3D"e=
n-US"><br>
</p>
<br>
<br>
</div>
<br>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:8.0pt;color:#595959"><u></u=
>=C2=A0<u></u></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:8.0pt;color:#595959">The in=
formation transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it=
is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any =
review, retransmission, dissemination,
distribution, forwarding, or other use of, or taking of any action in reli=
ance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended =
recipient is prohibited without the express permission of the sender. If yo=
u received this communication in
error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer=
. <u></u>
<u></u></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div><br><br clear=3D"all"><div><br></div>-- <br><div class=3D"gmail_signa=
ture"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div>Check out the Commons Tra=
nsition Plan here at: <a href=3D"http://commonstransition.org" target=3D"_b=
lank">http://commonstransition.org</a>=C2=A0=C2=A0</div><div><br></div>P2P =
Foundation: <a href=3D"http://p2pfoundation.net" target=3D"_blank">http://p=
2pfoundation.net</a>=C2=A0 - <a href=3D"http://blog.p2pfoundation.net" targ=
et=3D"_blank">http://blog.p2pfoundation.net</a> <br><br><a href=3D"http://l=
ists.ourproject.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/p2p-foundation" target=3D"_bla=
nk"></a>Updates: <a href=3D"http://twitter.com/mbauwens" target=3D"_blank">=
http://twitter.com/mbauwens</a>; <a href=3D"http://www.facebook.com/mbauwen=
s" target=3D"_blank">http://www.facebook.com/mbauwens</a><br><br>#82 on the=
(En)Rich list: <a href=3D"http://enrichlist.org/the-complete-list/" target=
=3D"_blank">http://enrichlist.org/the-complete-list/</a> <br></div></div></=
div></div>
</div>
--001a1134635ae3a20c0516f5657e--
More information about the P2P-Foundation
mailing list