- Horizontalidad
Horizontalidad (Eng: "horizontality" or "horizontalism") is a theory or system that advocates the creation, development and maintenance of social structures for the
equitable distribution of power. These structures and relationships would function as a result of continuousparticipation andexchange between individuals. As a specific term, horizontalidad is attributed to the radical movements that sprouted inArgentina after the economic crisis of 2001.Fact|date=September 2007 The related term horizontals arose during theEuropean Social Forum inLondon in2004 to describe people organising in a style where they "aspire to an open relationship between participants, whose deliberative encounters (rather than representative status) form the basis of any decisions"cite web|last=Reyes|first=Oscar|authorlink= |coauthors=Hilary Wainwright, Mayo Fuster I. Morrell, Marco Berlinguer|title=European Social Forum: debating the challenges for its future|work= |publisher=Transnational Institute |date=December 2004|url=http://www.tni.org/detail_page.phtml?act_id=16321&username=guest@tni.org&password=9999&publish=Y|format= |doi= |accessdate=2007-09-11 ] , in contrast to "verticals" who "assume the existence and legitimacy of representative structures, in which bargaining power is accrued on the basis of an electoral mandate (or any other means of selection to which the members of an organisation assent)".This concept is related to the theory and praxis of
anarchism . To anarchists, horizontality is a necessary factor for real freedom because it allows personalautonomy within a framework of social equality. This conception refers to equality and autonomy in relation to structures of economic power as much as political power, and to personalempowerment as much as collective empowerment.Horizontality is an attempt to allow everyone to become active and direct participants in the decisions and actions that affect them. It implies equality of power in the sense that there is no dictation of directives or obligations to the individual, but rather mutual agreements and commitments.
See also
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Autonomism References
Further reading
Sitrin, Marina. "Horizontalism".
AK Press (2007) ISBN 1-904859-58-5
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