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Network Logic - Index of

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Developing the well-connected community<br />

sense’. Community networks convey information and ideas,<br />

recruiting potential collaborators and supporters for self-help groups<br />

and collective action.<br />

Communities can be thought <strong>of</strong> as complex systems comprising<br />

overlapping networks <strong>of</strong> social and organisational relationships.<br />

Their boundaries are difficult to define; they consist <strong>of</strong> multiple,<br />

interdependent elements; there exists no centralised control<br />

mechanism; and interactions between members are governed by<br />

localised and relatively simple conventions. Well-functioning<br />

communities possess a range <strong>of</strong> capacities for absorbing or adapting<br />

to change, managing internal tensions and generating (and<br />

dissolving) a variety <strong>of</strong> forms for collective action.<br />

These capacities are organic and ‘owned’ by communities themselves.<br />

In many instances, they has been built up over years <strong>of</strong><br />

collective action among a fairly stable population who accumulate<br />

skills, knowledge and confidence from a shared experience <strong>of</strong><br />

successful organising. Social networks with diverse, boundaryspanning<br />

contacts are particularly useful, especially where these<br />

provide links to other communities and powerful agencies. Loose<br />

networks are <strong>of</strong>ten the precursors to more formal organisational<br />

arrangements, especially where these involve people or organisations<br />

from a diversity <strong>of</strong> backgrounds and interests.<br />

Social movements depend on activist networks to organise<br />

collective action, to raise awareness and to lobby for change. For<br />

example, the first Bristol Festival Against Racism was organised<br />

entirely through the political, pr<strong>of</strong>essional and personal networks <strong>of</strong><br />

the main coordinators. Having no resources <strong>of</strong> its own, it used<br />

connections to mobilise organisations, galvanise individuals, generate<br />

ideas, gain access to funding and distribute its publicity. Trust<br />

and shared values were vital to these achievements and the<br />

organisers particularly encouraged groups to work together where<br />

there had previously been only limited contact. A subsequent<br />

evaluation <strong>of</strong> the initiative revealed that participation in the Festival<br />

had reinforced people’s commitment and confidence around antiracism.<br />

A framework had been established on which stronger, more<br />

Demos 151

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