Israr Qureshi and Babita Bhatt

Australian National University

Queen’s Management School

Abstract

We examine community collectives (CCs)—place-based, community-led inclusive initiatives for sustainable livelihood, as an alternative to the top-down, external-driven development model. Drawing on the theoretical framework of prefigurative organizing we explored how CCs confront entrenched inequalities and overcome marginalization when envisioning and practicing inclusive futures. Through the comparative case study of two exemplary community collectives in India, we identify two key dimensions of prefigurative organizing: projective cultural adjustments - whether a community leverage their traditional culture or breaks away from it, and tempered autonomy – negotiating autonomy without overtly challenging dominant groups, and exercising self-imposed restraints to make independent decisions. We show how these two dimensions manifested across the three key components of prefigurative organizing: prefiguring self-governance; commoning; and cultivating discursive spaces. These findings help us theorize that in communities where the degree of internal marginalization is high due to persisting social hierarchies, breaking away from past discriminatory practices, incorporating suspension of consent in the decision-making process, and introducing multiple constructive works are essential components of prefigurative organizing. In communities where the degree of external marginalization is high, building on the past, incorporating refusal in decision-making, and introducing unified constructive work are important components of prefigurative organizing. We suggest that prefigurative organizing against the dominant power structure is based on selective and strategic engagement without seeking an exit, as exit might not be an option for place-based communities. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of this research for alternative organizing.