1
1
::::::::
As groups of people become larger they tend to reach a critical mass whereinformal organizational methods become increasingly ineffective. They
become more susceptible to frustration, disillusion, and disintegration
through endless disputation, distraction, cooptation, manipulation, and
subversion. Especially when wealth and power are at stake, undercover
agents and provocateurs are to be expected, and they can operate most
freely and effectively within a disorganized group.
Unfortunately, the remedy to the problem is often seen to be a highly
centralized, top-down organization, typically controlled by people whose
primary qualifications are their dominant personalities.
A remedy that best represents the goals of a democratic group is instead
to form small sub-groups of a dozen-or-so members who appoint
representatives on a rotating basis to an organizational committee. Such a
committee can express their sub-groups' positions on issues and
communicate group-wide ideas back to their sub-groups. The committee can
create sub-committees for special purposes: organize actions, create
agendas for group-wide meetings, deal effectively with the media, and
monitor efforts to co-opt or subvert the group.
This is bottom-up organization. Sub-groups of about 12 people can have
stable and intimate relationships rather than random interactions with the
group as a whole. A small circle builds a sense of stability and
solidarity among familiar faces. By delegating rotating members to the
group's committee they can more effectively express their opinions, and
can be better informed of other sub-groups' ideas. Undercover agents and
provocateurs can be recognized and neutralized through sustained,
small-group familiarity.
A general assembly can still be a worthwhile activity, but a committee of
representatives can serve to develop an agenda and insure that it proceeds
effectively with a clear focus.
The government, the police, and economic interests are all well organized
and focused. A formless group, especially a growing group, is a
victim-in-waiting against those forces.
An effective occupation needs democratic, bottom-up organization!
