The tyranny of structurelessness: Difference between revisions

From Le Hub/The Climate Justice Organizing HUB
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
 
(3 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
<div id="bodyContent" class="vector-body"><div id="mw-content-text" class="mw-body-content mw-content-ltr" dir="ltr" lang="fr"><div class="mw-parser-output"><p><span style="font-size: 10pt;" >The following page briefly defines what we mean by group 'structure', and discusses the importance of establishing a structure, and what can go wrong if this is not intentionally organized.</span>
<div id="bodyContent" class="vector-body"><div id="mw-content-text" class="mw-body-content mw-content-ltr" dir="ltr" lang="fr"><div class="mw-parser-output"><p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The following page briefly defines what we mean by group 'structure', and discusses the importance of establishing a structure, and what can go wrong if this is not intentionally organized.</span>


</p>
</p>


== Structure ==
== [[Structure]] ==


<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >Structure is the way '''vision, '''strategy, tactics and principles etc. are<span> presented and implemented by the organization or group. - The </span>'''<span>HUB</span>'''</span><br><span style="font-size: 10pt;" >'''<span>The HUB defines 5 key elements of good structure:</span>'''</span>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">[[Structure]] is the way '''vision, '''strategy, tactics and principles etc. are<span> presented and implemented by the organization or group. - The </span>'''<span>HUB</span>'''</span><br><span style="font-size: 10pt;">'''<span></span>'''</span></div>
#<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >Lines up with the group’s purpose and resources.</span>&nbsp;
<div class="mw-parser-output"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">'''<span></span>'''</span></div>
#<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >Moves the group forward without exhausting members.</span>
<div class="mw-parser-output"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">'''<span>The HUB defines 5 key elements of good structure:</span>'''</span>
#<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >Everyone knows how decisions are made.</span>
#<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Lines up with the group’s purpose and resources.</span>&nbsp;
#<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >New members are supported and able to navigate the group.</span>
#<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Moves the group forward without exhausting members.</span>
#<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >Navigates conflict generatively to encourage healthy group culture.</span>
#<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Everyone knows how decisions are made.</span>
#<span style="font-size: 10pt;">New members are supported and able to navigate the group.</span>
#<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Navigates conflict generatively to encourage healthy group culture.</span>


== Structurelessness ==
== Structurelessness ==
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;" >''<span>This section is based on the text&nbsp;</span>''</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">''<span>This section is based on the text [https://www.jofreeman.com/joreen/tyranny.htm#Top The Tyranny of Structurelessness by Joe Freeman]</span>''</span></p>
[https://www.jofreeman.com/joreen/tyranny.htm#Top The Tyranny of Structurelessness by Joe Freeman]<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >''<span>&nbsp;.&nbsp;</span><span>Quotations have been freely translated.</span>''</span><p><br><span style="font-size: 10pt;" >'''<span>Without-impossible-structure</span>'''<span>&nbsp;- "Any group of people, whatever their nature, who come together for a time for some purpose, inevitably structure themselves in one way or another [...] the search for an unstructured group is as useful, and as misleading, as seeking 'objective' reporting” -&nbsp;</span></span></p>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">''<span></span><span>Quotations have been freely translated.</span>''</span><p><br><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span>"Any group of people, whatever their nature, who come together for a time for some purpose, inevitably structure themselves in one way or another [...] the search for an unstructured group is as useful, and as misleading, as seeking 'objective' reporting” - [https://www.jofreeman.com/joreen/tyranny.htm Jo Freeman]</span></span></p>
[https://www.jofreeman.com/joreen/tyranny.htm Jo Freeman]<p><br><span style="font-size: 10pt;" >Indeed, the idea of ​​the structureless does not prevent the creation of informal structures, it only prevents formal structures.</span><br></p>
<p><br><span style="font-size: 10pt;">In other words, '''the idea of ​​the structureless does not prevent the creation of informal structures, it only prevents formal structures.'''</span><br></p>
<p><br></p>
<p><br></p>


=== Issues related to informal structures ===
=== Issues related to informal structures ===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 1163px;"
|-  
|-  
| '''<span style="">Decision making</span>'''<br>
| style="width: 86.4297px;" | <span style="font-size: 10pt;" >'''<span>Decision making</span>'''</span><br>
| <p><span style="">“The decision-making rules are only known to a few people and the awareness of power is limited to those who know the rules.&nbsp;</span><span style="">People who don't know the rules and aren't chosen to be introduced to them must be left confused or suffer from paranoid delusions that something is going on that they aren't quite aware of."</span></p>
| style="width: 1053.41px;" |  <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;" ><span>“The decision-making rules are only known to a few people and the awareness of power is limited to those who know the rules. </span><span>People who don't know the rules and aren't chosen to be introduced to them must be left confused or suffer from paranoid delusions that something is going on that they aren't quite aware of."</span></span></p>
|  <span style="">Negative consequences</span><p><span style="">Confusion</span></p>
  <li><span style="font-size: 10pt;" >See the non-hierarcheal decision-making wiki page for more.</span></li>
<p><span style="">Frustration</span></p>
|-  
|-  
| '''<span style="">Elites</span>'''
| style="width: 86.4297px;" | <span style="font-size: 10pt;" >'''<span>Elites</span>'''</span>
|  <span style="">Small group having power over a larger group, often without the latter's knowledge or consent.</span><p><br><span style="">Individuals in this group may be known or they may not be.&nbsp;</span><span style="">Elitism and notoriety are not synonyms.</span></p>
| style="width: 1053.41px;" |
<p><br><span style="">The elite often corresponds to people linked by friendships who form a communication network outside the channels of the group.&nbsp;</span><span style="">They consult each other before decisions are made and align themselves on issues, which gives more power to the group they form.&nbsp;</span><span style="">In Quebec, we sometimes hear the expression “corridor discussion” to refer to it.</span></p>
* <span style="font-size: 10pt;" >Small group have power over a larger group, often without the latter's knowledge or consent.</span>
<p><br><span style="">It is rare that a group does not establish an informal communication network stemming from the bonds of friendship that are created there.</span></p>
*<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >Individuals in this group may be known or they may not be. </span>
<p><br>'''<span style="">A group without a formal structure will be led by this group, it will have informal power.</span>'''</p>
*<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >The 'elite' often corresponds to people linked by friendships who form a communication network outside the channels of the group. <span>They consult each other before decisions are made and align themselves on issues, which gives more power to the group they form.</span></span>
|  <span style="">Negative consequences</span><p>'''<span style="">The importance of what is said can take a back seat</span>'''<span style="">&nbsp;- What some people say is listened to because it is appreciated rather than because it is important.</span></p>
*<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >It is rare that a group does not establish an informal communication network stemming from the bonds of friendship that are created there.</span>
<p><br></p>
*<span style="font-size: 10pt;" ><span>People in the elite are not accountable to the rest of the group since no formal power has been given to them. </span><span>They can act responsibly, but it depends on their desire.</span></span>
<p>'''<span style="">Non-accountability</span>'''<span style="">&nbsp;- People in the elite are not accountable to the rest of the group since no formal power has been given to them.&nbsp;</span><span style="">They can act responsibly, but it depends on their desire.</span></p>
*<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >'''<span>A group without a formal structure will be led by this group, it will have informal power.</span>'''</span>
<p><br></p>
<p><span style="">“As long as friendships are the primary means of organizing, elitism is institutionalized.&nbsp;</span><span style="">»</span></p>
|-  
|-  
| '''<span style="">"stars"</span>'''<br>
| style="width: 86.4297px;" | <span style="font-size: 10pt;" >'''<span>"Stars"</span>'''</span><br>
| <span style="">When there is no spokesperson or decision-making body in a group, public figures speaking on the issue around which the group is organized are perceived as&nbsp;</span>''<span style="">de facto</span>''<span style="">&nbsp;spokespersons .</span>
| style="width: 1053.41px;" |
|  <span style="">Negative consequences</span><p><span style="">Representation to the public is assumed without prior selection of the group.&nbsp;</span><span style="">The “star” and the movement find themselves in a situation with great potential for frustration.</span></p>
*<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >  <span>When there is no spokesperson or decision-making body in a group, public figures speaking on the issue around which the group is organized are perceived as </span>''<span>de facto </span>''<span>spokespersons.</span></span>
*<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >Representation to the public is assumed without prior selection of the group. The “star” and the movement find themselves in a situation with great potential for frustration.</span>
|-  
|-  
| '''<span style="">political impotence</span>'''<br>
| style="width: 86.4297px;" | <span style="font-size: 10pt;" >'''<span>Political impotence</span>'''</span><br>
| <span style="">For a group without a formal structure to "work", it must be both:</span><br>
| style="width: 1053.41px;" |  <span style="font-size: 10pt;" >For a group without a formal structure to "work", it must be:</span><br>
*<span style="">task oriented</span>
*<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >task oriented</span>
*<span style="">relatively small and homogeneous</span>
*<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >relatively small and homogeneous</span>
*<span style="">there is a high degree of communication</span>
*<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >there is a high degree of communication</span>
*<span style="">there is little specialization</span>
*<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >there is little specialization</span>
<p><span style="">This is impossible in a larger group.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;" >This is impossible in a larger group.</span></p>
<span style="">Negative consequences</span>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;" ></span></p>
*<span style="">The movement or group loses members who seek to organize themselves in a structured way</span><br>
*<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >The movement or group loses members who seek to organize themselves in a structured way</span><br>
*<span style="">The desire for meaningful political activity is put into political organizations with less potential for social change.</span>
*<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >The desire for meaningful political activity is put into political organizations with less potential for social change.</span>
*<span style="">On a larger scale, organized groups give direction according to their priorities.&nbsp;</span><span style="">Groups without a formal structure will not be represented.</span>
*<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >On a larger scale, organized groups give direction according to their priorities.</span>&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >Groups without a formal structure will not be represented.</span>
|}
|}


<p><span style="">Having an established process for decision-making ensures that everyone can participate in it to some degree. See the non-hierarcheal decision-making page </span><span style="">to learn more about including more people in group decision-making.</span></p>
<p><br></p>


== Principles of democratic structure ==
== <span style=" >Principles of democratic structure</span> ==
<p><span style="">From&nbsp;</span>''<span style="">The tiranny of structurelessness</span>''<span style="">&nbsp;by Joe Freeman...</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;" ><span>From </span>''<span>The tyranny of structurelessness </span>''<span>by Joe Freeman...</span></span></p>
*'''<span style="">Delegation of power</span>'''<span style="">&nbsp;through a democratic process</span>
*<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >'''<span>Delegation of power </span>'''<span>through a democratic process</span></span>
*'''<span style="">Accountability</span>'''<span style="">&nbsp;of people with power to people who have delegated power to them</span>
*<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >'''<span>Accountability </span>'''<span>of people with power to people who have delegated power to them</span></span>
*'''<span style="">Distribution</span>'''<span style="">&nbsp;of authority among as many people as possible.&nbsp;</span><span style="">Prevents monopoly of power and requires consultation with others before making decisions.&nbsp;</span><span style="">Also allows the development of skills.</span>
*<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >'''<span>Distribution </span>'''<span>of authority among as many people as possible. </span><span>Prevents monopoly of power and requires consultation with others before making decisions.&nbsp;</span><span>Also allows the development of skills.</span></span>
*'''<span style="">Rotation</span>'''<span style="">&nbsp;of tasks between individuals.&nbsp;</span><span style="">Give people enough time to learn the roles so that they can be satisfied with the work done.</span>
*<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >'''<span>Rotation </span>'''<span>of tasks between individuals. </span><span>Give people enough time to learn the roles so that they can be satisfied with the work done.</span></span>
*'''<span style="">Allocation</span>'''<span style="">&nbsp;of tasks according to rational criteria (skill, interest and responsibility).&nbsp;</span><span style="">People should have the opportunity to learn a new role if they so choose.&nbsp;</span><span style="">Some sort of learning program helps.</span>
*<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >'''<span>Allocation </span>'''<span>of tasks according to rational criteria (skill, interest and responsibility). </span><span>People should have the opportunity to learn a new role if they so choose.&nbsp;</span><span>Some sort of learning program helps.</span></span>
*'''<span style="">Dissemination and information</span>'''<span style="">&nbsp;- Information gives power, access to information increases power.&nbsp;</span><span style="">When a group disseminates ideas in a restricted way, the people who belong to it are forming an opinion without the entire group being able to participate.</span>
*<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >'''<span>Dissemination and information.</span>'''<span> Information gives power, access to information increases power.&nbsp;</span><span>When a group disseminates ideas in a restricted way, the people who belong to it are forming an opinion without the entire group being able to participate.</span></span>
*'''<span style="">Equal access to the resources</span>'''<span style="">&nbsp;that the group requires.&nbsp;</span><span style="">Knowledge, access and information are resources.</span>
*<span style="font-size: 10pt;" >'''<span>Equal access to the resources </span>'''<span>that the group requires. </span><span>Knowledge, access and information are resources.</span></span>
</div></div></div>
</div></div></div>



Latest revision as of 18:00, 17 April 2023

The following page briefly defines what we mean by group 'structure', and discusses the importance of establishing a structure, and what can go wrong if this is not intentionally organized.

Structure

Structure is the way vision, strategy, tactics and principles etc. are presented and implemented by the organization or group. - The HUB
The HUB defines 5 key elements of good structure:
  1. Lines up with the group’s purpose and resources. 
  2. Moves the group forward without exhausting members.
  3. Everyone knows how decisions are made.
  4. New members are supported and able to navigate the group.
  5. Navigates conflict generatively to encourage healthy group culture.

Structurelessness

This section is based on the text The Tyranny of Structurelessness by Joe Freeman

Quotations have been freely translated.


"Any group of people, whatever their nature, who come together for a time for some purpose, inevitably structure themselves in one way or another [...] the search for an unstructured group is as useful, and as misleading, as seeking 'objective' reporting” - Jo Freeman


In other words, the idea of ​​the structureless does not prevent the creation of informal structures, it only prevents formal structures.


Issues related to informal structures

Decision making

“The decision-making rules are only known to a few people and the awareness of power is limited to those who know the rules. People who don't know the rules and aren't chosen to be introduced to them must be left confused or suffer from paranoid delusions that something is going on that they aren't quite aware of."

  • See the non-hierarcheal decision-making wiki page for more.
  • Elites
    • Small group have power over a larger group, often without the latter's knowledge or consent.
    • Individuals in this group may be known or they may not be.
    • The 'elite' often corresponds to people linked by friendships who form a communication network outside the channels of the group. They consult each other before decisions are made and align themselves on issues, which gives more power to the group they form.
    • It is rare that a group does not establish an informal communication network stemming from the bonds of friendship that are created there.
    • People in the elite are not accountable to the rest of the group since no formal power has been given to them. They can act responsibly, but it depends on their desire.
    • A group without a formal structure will be led by this group, it will have informal power.
    "Stars"
    • When there is no spokesperson or decision-making body in a group, public figures speaking on the issue around which the group is organized are perceived as de facto spokespersons.
    • Representation to the public is assumed without prior selection of the group. The “star” and the movement find themselves in a situation with great potential for frustration.
    Political impotence
    For a group without a formal structure to "work", it must be:
    • task oriented
    • relatively small and homogeneous
    • there is a high degree of communication
    • there is little specialization

    This is impossible in a larger group.

    • The movement or group loses members who seek to organize themselves in a structured way
    • The desire for meaningful political activity is put into political organizations with less potential for social change.
    • On a larger scale, organized groups give direction according to their priorities. Groups without a formal structure will not be represented.


    Principles of democratic structure

    From The tyranny of structurelessness by Joe Freeman...

    • Delegation of power through a democratic process
    • Accountability of people with power to people who have delegated power to them
    • Distribution of authority among as many people as possible. Prevents monopoly of power and requires consultation with others before making decisions. Also allows the development of skills.
    • Rotation of tasks between individuals. Give people enough time to learn the roles so that they can be satisfied with the work done.
    • Allocation of tasks according to rational criteria (skill, interest and responsibility). People should have the opportunity to learn a new role if they so choose. Some sort of learning program helps.
    • Dissemination and information. Information gives power, access to information increases power. When a group disseminates ideas in a restricted way, the people who belong to it are forming an opinion without the entire group being able to participate.
    • Equal access to the resources that the group requires. Knowledge, access and information are resources.


    If you have any suggested revisions or additional resources to share related to the above content, please email them to kenzie@lehub.ca.


    This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.


    Back to Homepage