Towards the progressive network-system: a normative theory of organisation to achieve disruption in times of crisis

Abstract

This article introduces the progressive network-system as a normative and descriptive theory of counter-hegemonic organisation. It is descriptive insofar as the inspiration comes from a new wave of anti-austerity leaders, movements and parties that have been less dogmatically committed to ‘horizontal’ or ‘vertical’ models of organising, and more open to flexibly combining tactics and strategies from either tradition. In summary, the ‘network’ connects supporters and activists into clusters of dissent; the ‘system’ structures them into organisational ecologies; and the ‘progressive’ ideology establishes cohesion and direction by cementing a sense of unity across the network-system. It is normative because we theorise progressive network-systems as dynamic forms of organisation dedicated to the disruption of extractive exploitation, patriarchal sexism, institutionalised racism and autocratic politics under neoliberal capitalism. We formulate six normative propositions that should inspire any progressive network-system: ideology as a cement; ‘minimal-maximalism’ as an ideological mode to enable pluralism within unity; a flexible distribution of nodes across the network; a common platform; strategic democratic planning; and empowered activism with open/distributed leadership.