Introduction

Around the world, many people feel that democracy is not working. The idea of a government based on representation through electoral systems seemed very promising, but is demonstrably failing. Perhaps the problem is deeper than simply poor implementation: what is commonly called democracy often preserves the rituals of elections, parties, representation and participation; while the actual power to shape collective life is transferred to states, markets and corporations. This conversation dwells on this deeper issue, starting from a simple but important question: what would it mean for people - and the wider webs of life- to recover the capacity to govern themselves, their own lives, territories, their social, political and economic relationships and futures?

The following conversation is between an imaginary person - could be anyone with a curious mind - and the Global TapestryThe weaving of networks of Alternatives of AlternativesAre activities and initiatives, concepts, worldviews, or action proposals by collectives, groups, organizations, communities, or social movements challenging and replacing the dominant system that perpetuates inequality, exploitation, and unsustainabiity. In the GTA we focus primarily on what we call "radical or transformative alternatives", which we define as initiatives that are attempting to break with the dominant system and take paths towards direct and radical forms of political and economic democracy, localised self-reliance, social justice and equity, cultural and knowledge diversity, and ecological resilience. Their locus is neither the State nor the capitalist economy. They are advancing in the process of dismantling most forms of hierarchies, assuming the principles of sufficiency, autonomy, non-violence, justice and equality, solidarity, and the caring of life and the Earth. They do this in an integral way, not limited to a single aspect of life. Although such initiatives may have some kind of link with capitalist markets and the State, they prioritize their autonomy to avoid significant dependency on them and tend to reduce, as much as possible, any relationship with them., represented here by its Thematic Group on Radical Democracy and Autonomy.

Credits

This document has been put together in July 2026 by Ashish Kothari with inputs from Franco Augusto, Carlos Tornel, Elba Mercedes Palacios Córdoba, Teo Hernández Thompson, Christine Dann, Necibeqeredaxi Qeredaxi, Steven J. Klees, Madhuresh Kumar, Shrishtee Bajpai, Sutej Hugu on behalf of Indigenous Taiwan Self-determination Alliance.

Design, Layout & Illustrations were created by Franco Augusto using free open-source software tools.

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How to cite

"Radical Democracy and Autonomy: What do we mean? - A Conversation". Global Tapestry of Alternatives, 2026. Available at: https://evo.re/rd-faq