Developing Conscious Activists' Capacities - Prefigurative Politics

The Developing Conscious Activists' Capacities series explores and highlights capacities that we can develop to foster conscious activism. Today we are going to explore Radical Imagination!

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What is it?

The authors of Prefigurative Politics: Building Tomorrow Today define prefigurative politics as the deliberate experimental implementation of desired future social relations and practices in the here and now. According to Carl Boggs, who coined the term, the desire is to embody "within the ongoing political practice of a movement [...] those forms of social relations, decision-making, culture, and human experience that are the ultimate goal” of social change and activism.

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Prefiguration is living the future you wish existed, today. It involves modeling and embodying the kinds of behaviors, relationships & structures you wish were our reality. People who decide to use prefiguration as an activist strategy recognize that the means are the ends. For instance, if you want peace (i.e. the ends) you cannot get there by using war (i.e. the means). Peace begets peace, love begets love.

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“Recent years have seen a surge of interest in prefigurative politics, which refers to the political strategies that model a future society on a micro level and aim to instantiate radical social change in and through practice.” - Anton Törnberg

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Why does it matter?

So why is it important for us to engage in Prefigurative Politics? There are a few very important reasons:

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• Inspiring Change. Prefiguration politics can serve as an inspiring model for the change we are advocating for. It provides a real-world example of what our desired future might look like, connecting our visions to our present selves.
• Liberation. As we work towards a liberated world it is of the utmost importance that we embody and practice liberation in the now. Prefigurative politics provides us the space to do that.
• Building Alternatives. “As long as we seek to take power in existing key hierarchical institutions, we will remain stuck in a logic of domination and will not be able to establish a genuinely equal, and democratic society. Rather, we need to transform those institutions, and broader society, so that the state, large corporations, and so on, no longer fulfil a domineering function.” (Prefigurative Politics, 2019) Prefigurative politics often involves creating alternative institutions, structures, and practices that challenge the status quo. This is important in bringing to life alternatives to harmful mainstream systems and norms.
• Long-Term Vision. Prefigurative politics reminds us of our long-term goals and vision. It serves as a constant reminder of the world we are striving to create, helping us stay focused and motivated even in the face of setbacks and obstacles.
• Radical Imagination. “What we cannot imagine cannot come into being.” (bell hooks) Prefiguration offers us the space to conceptualize our radical imaginings in meaningful ways and can be a tool to enable, embody, and put into action the world we long for.

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How can we foster spaces and moments of Prefigurative Politics?

Fostering spaces and moments of prefigurative politics involves creating environments where the principles and values of the desired future society are enacted in the present. Here are several key elements to consider in fostering prefigurative politics:

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Relationality and Inclusivity

"Prefigurative politics isn't just about creating new forms of social organization, but it's about creating new ways of being in relationship to each other." (The Anarchist Library)

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Prefigurative politics in theory and practice exists on the basis of relationality. In order for prefiguration to be meaningful we need to prioritize embodying ways of being in relation to one another that align with our visions for the world, embracing the beauty of collective action and imagination. Inclusivity within prefiguration should go beyond tokenism; ensuring that marginalized and underrepresented voices are not only present but embraced with intentionality and liberation, and acknowledge that the strength of prefigurative politics lies in the diversity of experiences and perspectives that can enrich our collective vision and its realization.

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Direct Action

“Prefigurativists do not defer radical change to the future.” (Prefigurative Politics, 2019)

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Prefigurative politics is not just about talking the talk; it's about walking the walk. Its about engaging in direct action that embodies the values and principles of the society we envision. Prefiguration invites our actions to be tangible examples of the change we want to see.

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History

“At the same time we organize behind specific and urgent issues, we must also develop and maintain an ongoing vision, and the theory following upon that vision, of why we struggle—of the shape and taste and philosophy of what we wish to see.” - Audre Lorde

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In practicing prefiguration, it's crucial to be aware of the historical context and lessons of social movements and struggles whilst understanding the systemic structures that have perpetuated injustices and how previous efforts have challenged them. This historical knowledge provides valuable insights and a foundation upon which to build our prefigurative practices. By acknowledging history, we can connect our vision for the future to the broader trajectory of social change, creating a more informed and resilient change. Additionally, remembering the stories of resilience, courage, and innovation from the past can act as a source of inspiration and a reminder of the transformative potential of prefigurative politics.

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Strategies & Practice Exercises

Here you will find strategies and exercises you can practice to exercise your capacity for Prefigurative Politics.

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Journaling Prefigurative Possibilities

This journaling exercise can be used to help you envision and practice prefiguration by reflecting on how you can embody the change you want to see in the world through your thoughts, actions, and relationships.

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• Select a Specific Area: Choose a particular aspect of your life or the world that you are passionate about. For example: education, environmental justice, mental health, etc..
• Define Your Values: List the core values and principles that you believe are essential for the positive change you wish to see in this area.
• Current State: Describe your current thoughts, actions, and relationships in relation to the chosen area. Be honest about where you are right now.
• Prefigurative Vision: Envision a future in which your life fully embodies the values you've identified. Explore how this change would look in your daily life, your interactions with others, and your overall approach to the chosen area. Paint a vivid picture of this prefigurative world.
• Practical Steps: Identify practical steps and actions you can take right now to align your current life with your prefigurative vision. What changes can you implement in your thoughts, actions, and relationships to move closer to this vision?
• Challenges and Obstacles: Acknowledge any challenges or obstacles that may arise as you work towards this prefigurative vision. Consider how you might address or overcome these challenges.
• Future Vision: As you continue to journal, periodically revisit and refine your prefigurative vision, values, and practical steps. Allow your vision to evolve as you grow and learn.

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Intentional Conversations for Prefigurative Politics

This activity can be used to help you engage in intentional conversations that reflect the principles of prefigurative politics, where your dialogues embody the values and changes you want to see in the world.

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1. Choose a conversation partner/s
2. Select a Relevant Topic
3. Define Your Values: Independently list the core values and principles that you believe are essential for the positive change you wish to see in the chosen topic.
4. Preparation: Before the conversation, spend some time reflecting on how these values can be integrated into the discussion. How can you ensure the conversation embodies these values? Consider the language you use, your listening skills, and your approach to differing viewpoints.
5. Intentional Conversation: Have a conversation with your partner/s. During the dialogue, consciously strive to embody the values you identified. Encourage respectful, open, and empathetic communication.

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Expressing Prefigurative Politics through Art

“Remember to imagine and craft the worlds you cannot live without, just as you dismantle the ones you cannot live within.”― Ruha Benjamin

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An activity of envisioning:

• Prepare your art supplies to be ready and accessible in front of you.
• Fully presence and ground yourself, close your eyes and envision the world of your deepest longing. How does it look and feel? How do you feel in this world? How is this envisioned world different from our current one?
• Open your eyes and intuitively begin drawing your envisioned world (try drawing as soon as your eyes open). Use your imaginings from the previous step to fuel your creation.
• Prompt yourself to see your drawing as your envisioned world brought to life, as a tangible embodiment.