Communal Democracy

A system where the central political and economic unit is the commune—a self-governing community that collectively manages its resources and social life. Communes federate with each other for larger projects. This model is deeply associated with anarchist and utopian socialist thought, envisioning a confederation of autonomous, directly democratic communities replacing the nation-state.

Example: The Paris Commune of 1871, though brief, was the iconic attempt at Communal Democracy. Paris was reorganized into a federation of wards, each with its own assembly, recallable delegates, and integrated military and administrative functions, aiming to create a decentralized republic of communes across France.

by Dumu The Void February 5, 2026

Community-Based Democracy

An umbrella term for democratic models that root political legitimacy and decision-making processes in pre-existing or intentionally formed communities, defined by geography, ethnicity, workplace, or shared interest. The community, not the abstract individual citizen, is the primary political actor. This approach often emphasizes consensus-building and cultural traditions over majoritarian voting.

Example: Many Indigenous governance systems, such as the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy’s Grand Council, operate on principles of Community-Based Democracy. Representatives (sachems) from each clan and nation deliberate with a mandate from their community, aiming for consensus in a system deeply tied to cultural and spiritual practices.

by Dumu The Void February 5, 2026

Commune-Based Democracy

Essentially synonymous with Communal Democracy, emphasizing the commune as the foundational cell. The term often carries a stronger connotation of the commune being an integrated social and economic unit, not just a political one, practicing collective ownership and mutual aid internally.

Example: The theoretical vision of Murray Bookchin’s Communalism or Libertarian Municipalism advocates for a Commune-Based Democracy. Neighborhood assemblies would form the base, federating into confederations to manage regional affairs, replacing the state with a networked system of directly democratic, ecological communes.

by Dumu The Void February 5, 2026