


Communes: Intentional Communities for Cooperation and Sustainability
Commune is a type of intentional community that is based on the principles of cooperation, sharing, and mutual aid. The idea behind a commune is to create a self-sufficient and sustainable community where members can live together and work together to achieve common goals.
There are many different types of communes, ranging from small, informal groups to large, organized communities. Some communes are focused on spirituality or personal growth, while others are focused on environmentalism or social justice.
Some key features of communes include:
1. Shared living space: Members of a commune often live in shared housing, such as apartments or dormitories, and share common areas like kitchens and living rooms.
2. Collective decision-making: Communes often use consensus decision-making processes to make decisions about the community as a whole.
3. Shared resources: Members of a commune may share resources such as food, tools, and other equipment.
4. Cooperative work: Communes often have members who work together on projects or businesses, sharing the workload and the profits.
5. Sustainable living: Many communes are focused on sustainable living, using renewable energy sources, organic gardening, and other eco-friendly practices to reduce their impact on the environment.
6. Intentional community: Communes are often created with the intention of building a supportive and inclusive community, where members can rely on each other for emotional and practical support.
Some examples of communes include:
1. The Oneida Community: Founded in 1848, this commune in upstate New York was based on principles of socialism, feminism, and sexual freedom.
2. The Amana Colonies: Established in the 1850s, these communes in Iowa were founded by a group of German immigrants who wanted to create a self-sufficient community based on their religious beliefs.
3. The Hippie Movement: In the 1960s and 1970s, many communes were established by hippies who wanted to live in a more peaceful and harmonious way, often using drugs like LSD and marijuana to facilitate spiritual experiences.
4. The Twin Oaks Community: Founded in 1967, this commune in Virginia is based on principles of socialism, cooperation, and sustainable living.
5. The Zapatista Movement: In Chiapas, Mexico, the Zapatista movement has established a number of communes that are based on principles of indigenous autonomy and self-determination.
Overall, communes are intentional communities that are based on principles of cooperation, sharing, and mutual aid. They can be found in many different parts of the world and can take many different forms, from small, informal groups to large, organized communities.



