We have been busy building Decidim, now it is time to think it through. (p. vii)
Today marks the 7th anniversary of Decidim’s birth. As a gift, we release its book: “Decidim, a technopolitical network for participatory democracy. Philosophy, practice, and autonomy of a collective platform in the age of Digital Intelligence" (2024, Springer). Born in Barcelona on February 1st, 2017, Decidim has experienced a relentless growth. It has expanded to over 30 countries, boasting 500 active installations and 3 million participants worldwide. It coordinates hundreds of participation processes, and is designed to facilitate, broaden, and catalyse democracy. Alongside the platform, its community has flourished, now encompassing thousands of members globally. This book is a testament to that journey.
We distinguish three general levels or dimensions of the project: the political (focused on the democratic model that Decidim promotes, on its impacts on public policies and organisations and on society more broadly), the technopolitical (focused on how the platform is designed, the politics it embodies and the way in which it is itself democratically governed) and the technical (focused on the conditions of production, operation and success of the project—the digital factory, collaborative mechanisms, licences, training, etc.). (p. 7)
The book aims for a holistic and systematic review of the project. It delves into each of its layers - political, technopolitical, and technical - with thorough detail. The book captures Decidim's evolution in all its facets, acknowledging the challenges and limitations of writing about a dynamic, open, and ever-evolving project.
A radical reading of participation as pars capere inter pares, as taking part as peers, points towards a stronger form of politics and also towards an alternative form of society. Decidim is a software and a project oriented to embody and promote that vision. (p. 127)
This book ventures deep into Decidim and goes further, offering a chance to discuss not just its capabilities, goals, and practices, but also to present a strong conception of democracy and to explore new political horizons for digital societies. It critically addresses technological development and its societal impacts, acknowledging risks while proposing viable, sustainable pathways into the future. It even briefly touches upon debates surrounding collective intelligence in the face of the latest Artificial Intelligence wave.
This book is only a thread in a thick web (p. vii)
We offer this book as both a toolkit and a political device for action and thought. Starting with Decidim itself, the present text provides a reference framework for unfolding democratic technologies. Thus, it represents a working method, a conceptual and theoretical framework, embedding a collective vision about democracy, social autonomy, movements, institutional transformation, and the commons.
We invite not just to read this book, but to actively engage with it and transcend its boundaries. In true Decidim spirit, this work is copyleft, open, freedom enhancing, and collaborative: you are free to copy, modify, and distribute it, always adhering to the CC-BY-SA licence.
In an age of disbelief and despair, of hypermediatically narrated doom and collapse, this is a necessary step: to take part in the reimagining and recrafting of the future. Hopefully, Decidim and Metadecidim will help to such a recraft of our collective selves (and also our personal ones) along with our present and future worlds.(p. 131)
This work is the culmination of a seven-year collective endeavour involving countless individuals. Their contributions have been indispensable. For this reason, we want to close this post by celebrating the participation in Decidim, and by inviting everyone to engage with us in the technopolitical battles (and peaces) of the present and the future.
Beyond hope or fear, Decidim is a new weapon in the struggle for real democracy. This book ends here. Decidim continues. (p. 132)
Long live Decidim, and happy reading!
Decidim Book: un regalo por nuestro 7o aniversario
We have been busy building Decidim, now it is time to think it through. (p. vii)
Tal día como hoy, hace 7 años, nacía Decidim. Hoy ve la luz su libro: “Decidim, a technopolitical network for participatory democracy. Philosophy, practice and autonomy of a collective platform in the age of Digital Intelligence" (2024, Springer). Decidim nació en Barcelona el 1 de Febrero de 2017 y, en todo este tiempo, no ha parado de crecer. Se ha extendido a más de 30 países y cuenta con 500 instalaciones activas en todo el mundo. Ha superado ya los 3 millones de participantes y articula centenares de procesos de participación, contribuyendo a algo que lleva por defecto en su diseño: facilitar, ampliar y catalizar la democracia. Con la plataforma ha crecido su comunidad, que incluye hoy a miles de personas en todo el mundo. Con ese camino recorrido publicamos este libro.
We distinguish three general levels or dimensions of the project: the political (focused on the democratic model that Decidim promotes, on its impacts on public policies and organisations and on society more broadly), the technopolitical (focused on how the platform is designed, the politics it embodies and the way in which it is itself democratically governed) and the technical (focused on the conditions of production, operation and success of the project—the digital factory, collaborative mechanisms, licences, training, etc.). (p. 7)
El libro tiene la voluntad de aproximarse integral y sistemáticamente al proyecto. Hemos querido explicar con detalle y profundidad todas sus capas: la política, la tecnopolítica y la técnica. Seguimos el desarrollo de Decidim en todas sus dimensiones, con las virtudes y los límites que supone escribir sobre un proyecto vivo, abierto y en continuo cambio.
A radical reading of participation as pars capere inter pares, as taking part as peers, points towards a stronger form of politics and also towards an alternative form of society. Decidim is a software and a project oriented to embody and promote that vision. (p. 127)
Este libro se adentra en las profundidades de Decidim y va más allá. Así deviene una oportunidad para hablar no solo de las potencias, los objetivos, y las prácticas de Decidim, sino también para esbozar una concepción fuerte de la democracia y explorar nuevos horizontes políticos para las sociedades digitales. En sus páginas se toma posición respecto al desarrollo tecnológico y su impacto en nuestra sociedad, atendiendo a sus riesgos, pero también apuntando futuros posibles y sostenibles. Incluso aborda brevemente algunos debates sobre la inteligencia colectiva en la nueva ola de la Inteligencia Artificial.
This book is only a thread in a thick web (p. vii)
Publicamos este libro como una herramienta, como un dispositivo político de acción y pensamiento, que, a partir del propio Decidim, desarrolla un marco de referencia para desplegar tecnologías democráticas. Es, pues, un método de trabajo, un marco conceptual y teórico, que incorpora un imaginario colectivo en torno a la democracia, la autonomía de lo social, los movimientos, la transformación institucional y lo común.
Os invitamos no solo a leer este libro, sino también a seguir construyendo con él y más allá de él. Como todo en Decidim, este trabajo es un producto copyleft, abierto, libre y colaborativo: sois libres de copiarlo, modificarlo y distribuirlo, siempre respetando la licencia CC-BY-SA.
In an age of disbelief and despair, of hypermediatically narrated doom and collapse, this is a necessary step: to take part in the reimagining and recrafting of the future. Hopefully, Decidim and Metadecidim will help to such a recraft of our collective selves (and also our personal ones) along with our present and future worlds.(p. 131)
Este trabajo es el resultado de un proyecto colectivo que, a lo largo de estos siete años, ha involucrado a muchísimas personas. Sin ellas no hubiera sido posible. Por eso queremos cerrar este post celebrando la participación en la comunidad Decidim invitando, una vez más, a las múltiples luchas (y paces) tecnopolíticas del presente y del futuro.
Beyond hope or fear, Decidim is a new weapon in the struggle for real democracy. This book ends here. Decidim continues. (p. 132)
¡Larga vida a Decidim, y buena lectura!
Decidim Book: un regal pel nostre 7è aniversari
We have been busy building Decidim, now it is time to think it through. (p. vii)
Tal dia com avui, fa 7 anys, naixia Decidim. Avui veu la llum el seu llibre: “Decidim, a technopolitical network for participatory democracy. Philosophy, practice and autonomy of a collective platform in the age of Digital Intelligence" (2024, Springer). Decidim va néixer a Barcelona l'1 de Febrer de 2017 i, en tot aquest temps, no ha parat de créixer. S'ha estès a més de 30 països i compta amb 500 instal·lacions actives a tot el món. Ha superat ja els 3 milions de participants i articula centenars de processos de participació, contribuint a allò que porta per defecte en el seu disseny: facilitar, ampliar i catalitzar la democràcia. Amb la plataforma ha crescut la seva comunitat, que inclou avui a milers de persones a tot el món. Amb aquest camí recorregut publiquem aquest llibre.
We distinguish three general levels or dimensions of the project: the political (focused on the democratic model that Decidim promotes, on its impacts on public policies and organisations and on society more broadly), the technopolitical (focused on how the platform is designed, the politics it embodies and the way in which it is itself democratically governed) and the technical (focused on the conditions of production, operation and success of the project—the digital factory, collaborative mechanisms, licences, training, etc.). (p. 7)
El llibre té la voluntat d'aproximar-se al projecte integralment i sistemàtica. Hem volgut explicar amb detall i profunditat totes les seves capes: la política, la tecnopolítica i la tècnica. Seguim el desenvolupament de Decidim en totes les seves dimensions, amb les virtuts i els límits que suposa escriure sobre un projecte viu, obert i en continu canvi.
A radical reading of participation as pars capere inter pares, as taking part as peers, points towards a stronger form of politics and also towards an alternative form of society. Decidim is a software and a project oriented to embody and promote that vision. (p. 127)
Aquest llibre s'endinsa en les profunditats de Decidim i va més enllà. Així, esdevé una oportunitat per a parlar no sols de les potències, els objectius, i les pràctiques de Decidim, sinó també per esbossar una concepció forta de la democràcia i explorar nous horitzons polítics per a les societats digitals. En les seves pàgines es pren posició respecte al desenvolupament tecnològic i el seu impacte en la nostra societat, atenent els seus riscos, però també apuntant futurs possibles i sostenibles. Fins i tot aborda breument alguns debats sobre la intel·ligència col·lectiva amb la nova onada de la Intel·ligència Artificial.
This book is only a thread in a thick web (p. vii)
Publiquem aquest llibre com una eina, com un dispositiu polític d'acció i pensament, que, a partir del propi Decidim, desenvolupa un marc de referència per a desplegar tecnologies democràtiques. És, doncs, un mètode de treball, un marc conceptual i teòric, que incorpora un imaginari col·lectiu al voltant de la democràcia, l'autonomia social, els moviments, la transformació institucional i el comú.
Us convidem no només a llegir aquest llibre, també a continuar construint amb ell i més enllà d'ell. Com tot a Decidim, aquest treball és un producte copyleft, obert, lliure i col·laboratiu: sou lliures de copiar-lo, modificar-lo i distribuir-lo, sempre respectant la llicència CC-BY-SA.
In an age of disbelief and despair, of hypermediatically narrated doom and collapse, this is a necessary step: to take part in the reimagining and recrafting of the future. Hopefully, Decidim and Metadecidim will help to such a recraft of our collective selves (and also our personal ones) along with our present and future worlds.(p. 131)
Aquest treball és el resultat d'un projecte col·lectiu que, al llarg d'aquests set anys, ha involucrat a moltíssimes persones. Sense elles no hauria estat possible. Per això volem tancar aquest post celebrant la participació en la comunitat Decidim convidant, una vegada més, a les múltiples lluites (i paus) tecnopolítiques del present i del futur.
Beyond hope or fear, Decidim is a new weapon in the struggle for real democracy. This book ends here. Decidim continues. (p. 132)
Llarga vida al Decidim, i bona lectura!