Introduction
This article by YouthxYouth explores:
- what prefigurative politics is
- examples including the Zapatistas, the Rojava movement, and the Landless Workers’ Movement
- how we can foster spaces and moments of prefigurative politics
- strategies and exercises you can practice to exercise your capacity
What is Prefigurative Politics?
Prefigurative Politics is organizing, and embodying the modes of existing and understanding that you long for, in the present.
It’s a notion that moves us to explore how “prefiguring” or realizing the values, principles, and structures we hope to see can serve as a means of effecting change and achieving liberation in the present. This involves practicing and living out the ways of being and knowing we seek to achieve, rather than waiting for a distant future to bring about change.
We understand Prefigurative Politics to be a beautiful tool for activism and we see those who use prefiguration, as an activist strategy, as activists who recognize that the means are the ends. For instance, if you want peace (i.e. the ends) you cannot get there by using war (i.e. the means). Peace begets peace. Love begets love.
Prefigurative Politics is a nuanced concept, encompassing both the complexity of actively moving against the status quo and building alternatives rooted in justice and liberation. Living as though the world you aspire to exist in is already here, while simultaneously navigating a world riddled with polycrises and social fractures is an intricate endeavor. That being said, we recognize that engaging in prefigurative politics is a revolutionary act and the potential of the change this notion dares to bring about is significant.
It wasn’t always this, and it won’t always be this… How can I find the most liberated position in the current reality? – Possibilities Podcast, adrienne maree brown
Why Does it Matter?
So why is it important for us to engage in Prefigurative Politics? There are a few very important reasons:
Inspiring Change
Prefiguration politics can serve as an inspiring model for the change we are advocating for.
It provides a real-world example of what our desired future might look like, connecting our visions to our present selves.
Liberation
As we work towards a liberated world it is of the utmost importance that we embody and practice liberation in the now. Prefigurative politics provides us the space to do that.
Building Alternatives
As long as we seek to take power in existing key hierarchical institutions, we will remain stuck in a logic of domination and will not be able to establish a genuinely equal, and democratic society. Rather, we need to transform those institutions, and broader society, so that the state, large corporations, and so on, no longer fulfil a domineering function. – Prefigurative Politics, 2019
Prefigurative politics often involves creating alternative institutions, structures, and practices that challenge the status quo. This is important in bringing to life alternatives to harmful mainstream systems and norms.
Long-Term Vision
Prefigurative politics reminds us of our long-term goals and vision. It serves as a constant reminder of the world we are striving to create, helping us stay focused and motivated even in the face of setbacks and obstacles.
Radical Imagination
What we cannot imagine cannot come into being. – bell hooks
Prefiguration offers us the space to conceptualize our radical imaginings in meaningful ways and can be a tool to enable, embody, and put into action the world we long for.
Prefigurative Politics in Practice
Prefigurative politics, and the resulting approaches that activists and communities have harnessed to bring about social change, have played a pivotal role in transformative social change.
These pockets of liberation that have emerged globally serve as profound sources of inspiration, and among them, we find ourselves particularly drawn to the examples set by the Zapatistas, the Rojava movement, and the Landless Workers’ Movement. These revolutionary communities have not only carved out spaces of liberation in the world but have also demonstrated how prefigurative politics can be a tool for actualizing their visions and paving the way for a more just and liberated world.
You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete. – R. Buckminster Fuller
The Zapatistas 1983-
The Zapatistas, more formally known as the Zapatista Army of National Liberation, were founded in 1983 by a community of indigenous peoples in Chiapas, Mexico in response to relentless neo-colonial powers and their oppressive regimes. The Zapatistas represent a transformative example of prefigurative politics in action. By rejecting traditional hierarchical structures and embracing horizontal decision-making processes, the Zapatistas have established autonomous, self-governed communities that prioritize local empowerment and indigenous rights.
Their commitment to social justice is evident in their emphasis on education, healthcare, and sustainable agriculture, reflecting a dedication to prefiguring the inclusive and relational society they envision. The Zapatista movement demonstrates the capacity of prefigurative politics to resist oppressive systems while simultaneously constructing alternative, emancipatory frameworks that prioritize the well-being and agency of marginalized communities.
We are an army of dreamers, and that’s why we’re invincible. – Subcomandante Marcos
Rojava Movement 2012-
The Rojava movement also exemplifies prefigurative politics in practice by actively embodying the principles of grassroots democracy, gender equality, and social ecology in the present, reflecting a vision of a more just and inclusive society.
Amidst the complexities of the Syrian conflict, the autonomous region of Rojava in northern Syria has established a political system grounded in direct democracy, decentralized governance, and the empowerment of local communities.
By embracing a reciprocal economy, emphasizing ethnic and religious inclusivity, and championing women’s rights through policies like co-leadership and women’s defense units, the Rojava movement not only challenges oppressive structures but actively constructs an alternative social and political paradigm.
The Rojava movement’s commitment to prefigurative politics serves as a transformative force, illustrating the potential for grassroots initiatives to shape a more equitable and community-led future even in challenging geopolitical contexts.
We defy the colonization and destruction of our land and culture with all our might. We fight, laugh, dance, sing, and picnic alongside the traumas we carry. We reclaim our divided land and rename it. – Choman Hardi
Landless Workers’ Movement 1984-
The Landless Workers’ Movement (Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra or MST) in Brazil is also a compelling example of prefigurative politics in practice. By occupying and cultivating unused land, the MST not only challenges the prevailing system of unequal land distribution but actively prefigures a more just and sustainable way of living.
The movement’s commitment to collective ownership, agroecology, and educational initiatives is an inspiring example of their dedication to building alternative ways of knowing and being. Through their persistent struggle for land reform, the MST showcases how prefigurative politics can be a powerful force for transformative change, not only resisting oppressive structures but actively constructing a model of society based on principles of equity, solidarity, and grassroots democracy.
How can we Foster Spaces and Moments of Prefigurative Politics?
Fostering spaces and moments of prefigurative politics involves creating environments where the principles and values of the desired future society are enacted in the present. Here are several key elements to consider in fostering prefigurative politics:
Relationality and Inclusivity
Prefigurative politics isn’t just about creating new forms of social organization, but it’s about creating new ways of being in relationship to each other. – The Anarchist Library
Prefigurative politics in theory and practice exists on the basis of relationality. In order for prefiguration to be meaningful we need to prioritize embodying ways of being in relation to one another that align with our visions for the world, embracing the beauty of collective action and imagination.
Inclusivity within prefiguration should go beyond tokenism; ensuring that marginalized and underrepresented voices are not only present but embraced with intentionality and liberation, and acknowledge that the strength of prefigurative politics lies in the diversity of experiences and perspectives that can enrich our collective vision and its realization.
Direct Action
Prefigurativists do not defer radical change to the future. – Prefigurative Politics, 2019
Prefigurative politics is not just about talking the talk; it’s about walking the walk. Its about engaging in direct action that embodies the values and principles of the society we envision. Prefiguration invites our actions to be tangible examples of the change we want to see.
History
At the same time we organize behind specific and urgent issues, we must also develop and maintain an ongoing vision, and the theory following upon that vision, of why we struggle—of the shape and taste and philosophy of what we wish to see. – Audre Lorde
In practicing prefiguration, it’s crucial to be aware of the historical context and lessons of social movements and struggles whilst understanding the systemic structures that have perpetuated injustices and how previous efforts have challenged them.
This historical knowledge provides valuable insights and a foundation upon which to build our prefigurative practices. By acknowledging history, we can connect our vision for the future to the broader trajectory of social change, creating a more informed and resilient change.
Additionally, remembering the stories of resilience, courage, and innovation from the past can act as a source of inspiration and a reminder of the transformative potential of prefigurative politics.
Strategies & Practice Exercises
Here you will find strategies and exercises you can practice to exercise your capacity for Prefigurative Politics.
Journaling Prefigurative Possibilities
This journaling exercise can be used to help you envision and practice prefiguration by reflecting on how you can embody the change you want to see in the world through your thoughts, actions, and relationships.
- Select a Specific Area
Choose a particular aspect of your life or the world that you are passionate about. For example: education, environmental justice, mental health, etc.. - Define Your Values
List the core values and principles that you believe are essential for the positive change you wish to see in this area. - Current State
Describe your current thoughts, actions, and relationships in relation to the chosen area. Be honest about where you are right now. - Prefigurative Vision
Envision a future in which your life fully embodies the values you’ve identified. Explore how this change would look in your daily life, your interactions with others, and your overall approach to the chosen area. Paint a vivid picture of this prefigurative world. - Practical Steps
Identify practical steps and actions you can take right now to align your current life with your prefigurative vision. What changes can you implement in your thoughts, actions, and relationships to move closer to this vision? - Challenges and Obstacles
Acknowledge any challenges or obstacles that may arise as you work towards this prefigurative vision. Consider how you might address or overcome these challenges. - Future Vision
As you continue to journal, periodically revisit and refine your prefigurative vision, values, and practical steps. Allow your vision to evolve as you grow and learn.
Intentional Conversations for Prefigurative Politics
This activity can be used to help you engage in intentional conversations that reflect the principles of prefigurative politics, where your dialogues embody the values and changes you want to see in the world.
- Choose a conversation partner/s
- Select a Relevant Topic
- Define Your Values
Independently list the core values and principles that you believe are essential for the positive change you wish to see in the chosen topic. - Preparation
Before the conversation, spend some time reflecting on how these values can be integrated into the discussion. How can you ensure the conversation embodies these values? Consider the language you use, your listening skills, and your approach to differing viewpoints. - Intentional Conversation
Have a conversation with your partner/s. During the dialogue, consciously strive to embody the values you identified. Encourage respectful, open, and empathetic communication.
Expressing Prefigurative Politics through Art
Remember to imagine and craft the worlds you cannot live without, just as you dismantle the ones you cannot live within. – Ruha Benjamin
An activity of envisioning:
- Prepare your art supplies to be ready and accessible in front of you.
- Fully presence and ground yourself, close your eyes and envision the world of your deepest longing. How does it look and feel? How do you feel in this world? How is this envisioned world different from our current one?
- Open your eyes and intuitively begin drawing your envisioned world (try drawing as soon as your eyes open). Use your imaginings from the previous step to fuel your creation.
- Prompt yourself to see your drawing as your envisioned world brought to life, as a tangible embodiment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, prefigurative politics in practice serves as a powerful catalyst for profound and transformative social changes. Through our examination of the Zapatistas, the Rojava movement, and the Landless Workers’ Movement, we witness how these revolutionary communities embody the principles of prefigurative politics, they not only resist oppressive structures but actively participate in the construction of liberatory alternatives.
We see prefigurative politics, with its resilience and commitment to embodying transformative social change, as a beacon of hope in the ongoing call for justice and liberation.
About Author
YouthxYouth is a global community of Youth Activists and Adult Allies building a world where learning serves everyone: us, our communities, and the planet! We believe that in order to transform our education at scale, globally, and rapidly enough, we need a youth-led, adult-supported (r)evolution of our education. Our mission is to accelerate the process of young people influencing, designing, and transforming their learning experiences and education systems.
Note: This article is a blend of the following articles by YouthxYouth.
- Prefigurative Politics in Practice
- Developing Conscious Activists’ Capacities – Prefigurative Politics
The Developing Conscious Activists’ Capacities Series
This article is part of YouthxYouth’s Developing Conscious Activists’ Capacities Series which explores and highlights capacities that we can develop to foster conscious activism.
Explore other articles that are part of this series including:
- Developing Activist Conscious Capacities – Sensemaking
- Developing Activist Conscious Capacities – Dialogue
- Developing Conscious Activists’ Capacities – Radical Imagination
- Developing Activist Conscious Capacities – Revolutionary Love
