Seed Form Theory

See also:

1. Seed Forms
2. Germ Form ; Germ Form Theory

* Article / Chapter: Sutterlütti, S., Meretz, S. (2023). Seed Form Theory. In: Make Capitalism History. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. DOI

URL = https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-14645-9_7

Abstract

"The final chapter explores how the seed form of commonism—the commons—can become societally dominant. It introduces the five-step process, a heuristic model for analysing historical processes of qualitative change. It discusses various existing commons such as open pastures, free software and commoning within top-end multinationals or social movements, as well as their limits and strengths. The main section assesses different scenarios of a shift in dominance from capitalism to commonism, such as slow expansion, crisis, partner state and social movements. It ends with some remarks on current practices."

Typology

The Five-Step Process of Societal Transformation:

The Seed Form Theory outlines a five-step process through which these emergent initiatives can lead to systemic change:

Emergence: Innovative practices or organizations arise within the existing system, addressing specific needs or challenges.

Replication: These initiatives are replicated in different contexts, demonstrating their viability and adaptability.

Networking: The replicated initiatives form networks, sharing knowledge and resources, thereby strengthening the movement.

Institutionalization: The principles and practices of the movement are adopted by mainstream institutions, leading to broader acceptance and integration.

Dominance: The new system becomes dominant, replacing the old structures and establishing a new societal paradigm."

Excerpts

Context

Stefan Meretz et al. :

"In this chapter we intend to develop the commonist seed form theory. The name is based on the assumption that the new society develops from seed forms. In Chap. 3 we presented the idea that a qualitative change of society towards a free society must be conceptualised (and carried out) as a constituting process of a new form of society. This theoretical demand is our starting point. The seed form theory is a possibility of giving substance to this demand of transvolution. It is not the only way of doing this. The framework we have previously described allows for the inclusion of other transvolution theories, and we invite their development. The presentation of the elements of the seed form theory aims at opening it to discussion and criticism, thus enabling further development. The seed form theory attempts to conceptualise the qualitative change of the societal form.

A new society does not fall from the sky but must emerge from the old society. So, the point is: how does a new form of society emerge from the old one? To this, the seed form theory answers that the new can already be found in the old but still in the form of a seed, enclosed in the old conditions. And yet, this seed form embodies the quality it can develop into a new society. In our theory of society (cf. Chap. 5, 2.) we discussed the mediation form as a decisive element of society. That is why the new quality of the seed form must appear as a new mediation form. This new mediation form is restricted in the old society and only becomes dominant in the new society."

(https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-14645-9_7)