ISBN
978-1529208795Dimensions
234 x 156 mmImprint
Bristol University PressISBN
978-1529208788Dimensions
234 x 156 mmImprint
Bristol University PressISBN
978-1529208818Imprint
Bristol University PressISBN
978-1529208818Imprint
Bristol University Press
Anarchist Cybernetics
In the media
'Thomas Swann on Anarchist Cybernetics' in Future Histories
On our blog:
Taking back control of our technology
Are cybernetic cooperatives the future of work?
From Occupy, to the Indignados and the Arab Spring, the uprisings that marked the last decade ignited a re-emergence of participatory democracy as a political ideal within organizations.
This pioneering book introduces cybernetic thinking to politics and organizational studies to explore the continuing development of this radical idea. With a focus on communication and how alternative social media platforms present new challenges and opportunities for radical organising, it sheds new light on the concepts of self-organization, consensus decision making, individual autonomy and collective identity.
Revolutionising the way in which anarchist activists and theorists think about organizations, this unprecedented investigation makes a major contribution to the larger discussion of direct democracy.
"This pioneering study brings cybernetics to bear on anarchism to interrogate the sustainability of radical democracy. The result is a masterclass in organisation theory and strategy which encompasses contemporary movement and social media analysis." Ruth Kinna, Loughborough University
"Swann's work on cybernetics and anarchism couldn’t be more relevant at this moment. It will inspire the design of more radical, democratic and self-organised post COVID-19 societies and political systems." Angela Espinosa, University of Hull
"Cybernetics can help bring about a fairer society, but in order to make it successful, we must create, regulate and produce ways of effective self-organisation. This book opens ways to achieve just that." Raul Espejo, President of World Organisation of Systems and Cybernetics
Thomas Swann is a Lecturer in Political Theory at Loughborough University.
2011: The Year Everything Nothing Changed.
Radical Left Social Movements and Communication Networks
Anarchism and Cybernetics. A Missed Opportunity Revisited
Control Part One ~ Tactics, Strategy and Grand Strategy
Control Part Two ~ The Individual and the Collective. Autonomy Through Organisation
Communication Part One ~ Noise, Overload and Communication in the Age of Social Media
Communication Part Two ~ Building Alternative Social Media from the Ground Up
Anarchist Cybernetics in Practice
