Dissertation
‘Convergence’ as an example of a medium scale acephalous group exploring ways to reduce structural violence
University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast
2017
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25907/00643
Abstract
Dominance-based hierarchies have become the prevailing organisational structure today. Those at the top of the hierarchy have power and resources to control those below. They fit within a wider framework of a worldview that prioritises profits over human well-being1. Structural violence is therefore built into the fabric of the paradigm. We have become so accustomed to top-down dominance hierarchies that alternatives are rarely even considered. Most people simply accept that there will always be leaders and followers. These dominance hierarchies are at the core of an ideology that has led to enormous wealth for a few, but poverty for many millions; environmental degradation; oppression; wars; refugee migrations and so much more. There is a need to develop more humane ways to organise ourselves that are more life sustaining, and which reduce structural violence. The peer to peer movement is promoting different forms of commons based projects enabling the free co-operation of equals without any intermediary body taking control. They include work/housing/food co-operatives, intentional communities, computer based networks like Wikipedia, Creative Commons Licence, Occupy Wall Street, and the Arab Spring.
Details
- Title
- ‘Convergence’ as an example of a medium scale acephalous group exploring ways to reduce structural violence
- Authors
- Victor MacGill
- Contributors
- Marcus P Bussey (Supervisor)
- Awarding institution
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Degree awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- DOI
- 10.25907/00643
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2017 Victor MacGill. Attribution: Non-commercial, No-derivatives, no use of photographs without permission. This work can be used freely with the following conditions: The author is given attribution. All uses will be non-commercial, there shall be no derivatives from this work (no remixes), No photographs used in this work may be used without the permission of the author. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
- Organisation Unit
- School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Engage Research Lab; School of Law and Society; Sustainability Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450580902621
- Output Type
- Dissertation
- Research Statement
- false
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