Connections between democratic confederalism and nested institutions

[Aaron Vansintjan]

Hello all,

Last week Grace and I went to a discussion about social ecology, democratic confederalism, and the Kurdish revolution. 
There are a lot of connections, explicit and implicit, to be made between this movement and the nested institutions framework. 
For example, Oçalan, a Kurdish democratic confederalist who is mainly influenced by Bookchin, Gramsci, Foucault, Wallerstein, and Habermas--and who inspired their current anti-state revolution--says

"The contradictory composition of the society necessitates politi- cal groups with both vertical and horizontal formations. Central, regional and local groups need to be balanced in this way. Only they, each for itself, are able to deal with its special concrete situ- ation and develop appropriate solutions for far-reaching social problems. It is a natural right to express one’s cultural, ethnic, or national identity with the help of political associations. However, this right needs an ethical and political society. Whether nation- state, republic, or democracy – democratic confederalism is open for compromises concerning state or governmental traditions. It allows for equal coexistence." 

Something interesting to explore further. Readings attached. 

Conference about democratic confederalism (with Harvey and Graeber attending) in April: http://networkaq.net/