The New Society’s F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about The New Society
General Questions
What is The New Society?
The New Society is an intentional community that integrates the Enlightened Lifestyle philosophy, emphasizing critical inquiry, sustainability, cooperative economics, and decentralized governance. It seeks to provide an alternative to traditional capitalist and government-controlled systems.
Is The New Society a business community or an intentional community?
It is primarily an intentional community, but it also incorporates cooperative business models and ethical enterprises that engage with the broader economy.
Does The New Society completely separate itself from the wider society?
No. While The New Society creates an alternative way of living, it still interacts with the larger world through ethical trade, education, and advocacy. It operates within legal systems while maintaining its own governance structures.
Philosophy & Lifestyle
What is the Enlightened Lifestyle?
The Enlightened Lifestyle is a way of life based on mindfulness, sustainability, critical inquiry, and community engagement. It encourages self-awareness, ethical living, and continuous personal growth.
What kind of people would be interested in joining the New Society?
We are interested in people who follows evidence-based critical thinking fostering wisdom and compassion in our society. Our target audience are those who are agnostic and atheist in orientation and wish to create an evidenced-based ethical society.
Are religious people welcomed?
Religious people may join the New Society if they’re willing to shift from faith-based systems to a lifestyle rooted in evidenced-based critical inquiry, mindfulness, and sustainability, embracing the Enlightened Lifestyle as their primary path while letting go of past religious frameworks. Fellows of the New Society feel the religious epistemology was used by past sages’ shamans embarking on their first steps when understanding and exploring their world. Fellows of the Enlightened Lifestyle sufficiently replaces this course of understanding life and our world. Such a claim by the Enlightened Lifestyle can be explored and debated which is why religious people are welcome. Just understand that your beliefs will be engaged and critically examined for the default direction of the New Society is evidenced-based critical inquiry which fosters more wisdom and compassion in society.
How does The New Society approach self-improvement?
It encourages lifelong learning, meditation, community service, and participation in democratic decision-making.
Governance & Laws
How is The New Society governed?
The New Society follows decentralized, participatory governance models such as Holacracy and sociocracy, where decision-making is distributed rather than hierarchical.
Can The New Society create its own laws?
Yes, but it must operate within the broader legal framework of the state or country it exists in. Local ordinances can reflect its values while respecting constitutional law.
How does the justice system work in The New Society?
It prioritizes restorative justice, mediation, and rehabilitation over punitive measures. For serious crimes like murder, it cooperates with state authorities while advocating for alternative approaches.
Economy & Work
How does The New Society sustain itself economically?
It uses cooperative businesses, ethical trade, and shared resources to create a self-sufficient economy. Worker-owned enterprises and local barter systems reduce dependence on traditional capitalist markets.
Can I own a business in The New Society?
Yes, but businesses must align with cooperative principles, sustainability, and fair trade ethics.
How are resources shared?
Resources such as housing, tools, and communal spaces are shared among members to reduce waste and maximize efficiency.
Daily Life
What kind of housing does The New Society provide?
Eco-friendly, cooperative housing is prioritized. Individuals may own private spaces but are encouraged to participate in shared living arrangements.
What are the educational opportunities?
The community fosters self-directed learning, skill-sharing, and cooperative education instead of traditional school models.
How does healthcare work?
The New Society promotes holistic health, preventative care, and mutual aid networks. Members may still access external medical services as needed.
Transition & Participation
Can I join while still living in mainstream society?
Yes, individuals can practice Enlightened Lifestyle principles while gradually transitioning into the community.
What happens if I decide to leave?
You are free to leave at any time. The New Society values voluntary participation.
Would you like any additional questions included?
Is The New Society Socialist?
No, The New Society is not strictly socialist, though it incorporates some aspects of cooperative economics and collective decision-making. Instead, it blends elements from various alternative economic and governance models, such as:
Worker-Owned Cooperatives – Businesses are democratically managed by workers, but members still have individual agency.
Ethical & Sustainable Markets – The New Society does not abolish markets but reforms them to prioritize sustainability and fairness.
Decentralized Governance – Unlike traditional socialism, which often relies on a centralized state, The New Society distributes decision-making power among all members.
Holacratic & Participatory Democracy – Governance is structured to ensure collective participation without relying on a state-controlled system.
Freedom of Association – Membership is voluntary; individuals can leave at any time, unlike state-controlled socialist systems.
In summary, The New Society is neither capitalist nor socialist in the traditional sense—it is a new hybrid model that integrates ethical economics, direct democracy, and sustainability.
How is Democracy Conducted in The New Society?
The New Society replaces traditional representative democracy with participatory and decentralized governance. Instead of electing leaders to make decisions on behalf of the people, decisions are made directly by community members through Holacracy, consent-based decision-making, and localized councils.
Decentralized Decision-Making (Holacracy & Sociocracy)
Power is distributed across circles (teams or workgroups) that make decisions related to specific community areas.
Circles operate independently but are interconnected, ensuring that governance remains fluid, adaptable, and responsive.
No single leader has absolute control—decisions emerge from collective input.
Consent-based & Direct Participation
Major decisions are made using consent-based decision-making or supermajority voting.
Technology (e.g., blockchain voting and digital town halls) can be used to ensure transparency.
Small-scale councils handle localized issues, while major policy changes require full community participation.
Localized Self-Governance
Neighborhood-level assemblies discuss and vote on issues affecting their area.
Policies reflect the needs of the local community rather than being imposed from the top down.
If a conflict arises, mediators and facilitators ensure fair resolutions rather than relying on centralized enforcement.
Accountability & Transparency
All decisions and financial records are public, ensuring no group gains disproportionate power.
Rotational leadership roles prevent stagnation and concentration of power.
Members can challenge decisions through structured feedback systems.
Summary
The New Society is not socialist but uses cooperative economics and participatory governance.
It does not rely on a state-controlled system but rather on decentralized, collaborative democracy.
Holacracy and consent-based decision-making ensure that power is distributed and everyone has a voice.
Would you like to explore a specific governance structure or decision-making process in more detail?
