Communalism in government

Communalism

Communalism is a political, social and economic philosophy that prioritizes the coming together, unity and localized delibrations of a group of people towards the development and progress of their community.

Communalism presents a refreshing alternative to conventional governance systems, and emphasizes on the importance of community in the political and economic spheres. In this regard, it advocates for self-governance and collective decision-making within a community.

This article will explore the principles of communalism, alongside its framework and implications, while providing examples to illustrate these concepts.

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Communalism in politics is defined as a system of government whereby a local community, or an ethnic group governs itself through direct democracy, rather than being governed by the society as a whole.

You can think of communalism as a system of shared belief comprising the political, social and econimic landscape of an ethnic or religious group making up a community. It is therefore a principle of self-governance operating within a community.

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At its core, communalism combines elements of democracy, ecology, social justice, and perhaps tribalism. Unlike traditional state-based governance, communalism advocates for a decentralized structure, where local communities manage their affairs through direct democracy.

Communalism therefore implies that the government is very close to the natives. In this regard, the people (natives) do not have a distant government make decisions for them, but rather, the people making up the community work together to solve problems and make choices that affect their lives.

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Key Principles of Communalism

Communalism as a political and social philosophy is based on the following principles:

1. Decentralization

One of the fundamental tenets of communalism is the idea that power should reside at the local level. This decentralization empowers communities to control their resources and needs.

For example, a neighborhood could manage its own electricity, security, and waste disposal systems through a community board; thereby prioritizing sustainable practices, and responding to residents’ concerns directly.

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2. Direct Democracy

In a communalist system, decision-making is collective and participatory. Every member of a community has the right to voice their opinion and influence decisions that impact them. This could be seen in the implementation of community councils where members convene regularly, weekly, or monthly to discuss local issues ranging from environmental sanitation, park developments and other community safety programs.

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3. Ecological Sustainability

Communalism also places a strong emphasis on living in harmony with the environment. The philosophy advocates for sustainable practices that benefit both the community and the planet.

For instance, a community may work together to establish a local garden and the planting of trees in strategic areas, using organic methods to produce food alongside environmental beautification; while also educating neighbors about eco-friendly practices.

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4. Social Justice

Ensuring equality and justice within the community is a critical aspect of communalism. This principle promotes social inclusion and aims to dismantle hierarchies based on gender, or class.

An example could be a community initiative that provides resources and support for the aged and physically challenged, in order to ensure that they have equal access to community services.

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Problems arising from communalism

Recall that communalism deals with a shared ideology within a community, an ethnic group, religious group, or a particular culture. In this light, it may promote tribal, religious, communal, and even secular isolation from other groups. Simply put, communalism may cascade into a form of segregation. For instance, in certain communities of northern Nigeria, sharia law is practiced; and this can be somewhat attributed to religious communalism.

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A communalist group believes that their loyalty should lie within the group they are a part of. This loyalty is often upheld above any other loyalty, like nationalism (or loyalty to a country), simply because their ideals and beliefs may not match those of other groups.

Certain communalist groups can even be quite extreme such that they believe they are a nation of separate confederacies, rather than part of the country in which their members actually reside.

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Below are some of the drawbacks to communalism:

• The elite can utilize it as a political tool against the larger society.

• It may discourage the willingness to accept and integrate other beliefs, religion and cultures into the communal environment.

• It may lead to rivalry and violence among the communities.

• It may be used by the higher class of people (and elites) as a weapon of division and exploitation.

• The implementation of communalism may be based on prejudices.

• It may split the society on the basis of religion.

• It may result into tribalism and nepotism.

• Various persons in communalism may become disloyal to the country at large.

• It is a threat to national integrity.

• It can become a catalyst for political and social tensions in the state.

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With regards to communalism, below are instances of ethnic violence in Nigeria: 

• The Igbo massacre of the 1966 Nigerian counter-coup, (also termed as July rematch). Unfortunately, this is considered as Africa's bloodiest coup.

• The Ile-Ife and Modakeke clash in Oyo state.

• The Ijaw and Itsekiri clash in Delta state.

• Herders and farmer's conflict involving the Fulani and the Tiv tribe.

• Jos crisis in Plateau state.

Note: Communalism maybe grouped into three. These are: 

1. Political Communalism

2. Social Communalism

3. Economic Communalism

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Examples of Communalism in Action

One practical example of communalism can be seen in the Kurdish region of Northern Syria, known as Rojava. The people there have established a system of governance based on cooperative councils that prioritize local decision-making and gender equality.

Rojava’s approach demonstrates how communities can organize themselves to uphold principles of self-management and ecological sustainability effectively.

Another example is the various co-housing movements worldwide. These initiatives bring together families and individuals to create shared living spaces while managing communal resources collectively.

Within these setups, members might share amenities like tools, gardens, and recreational areas, promoting both social interaction and efficient use of resources.

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In conclusion, emphasis on the importance of creating a healthy community through direct participation can offer meaningful solutions to the challenges faced in contemporary society.

Communalist practices can therefore foster a sense of belonging and collaboration within a community. Through understanding and applying these principles, society can move toward a more equitable and sustainable future.

On the flip side, communalism may adversely segregate a community from the larger society; and may consequently lead into conflicts and wars.