Intentional communities are not new. Every community has its purpose and objectives; therefore, every community has an intention. People have chosen to use the word “intentional” because it underscores that they have given great thought to why the community exists and have limited their scope of powers to only those that serve its purpose.
Predetermining the scope of the powers of the intentional community protects the members from the community acting beyond its mandate and becoming a master of its members, rather than a servant to its members. Intentional communities are designed to provide benefits, but they also allow the members to have areas of their lives which can’t be influenced or governed by the community, similar to your rights and obligations as a citizen of a country.
Contrast the above intentional communities with communes, where ALL things are held in common. People give up their identity and independence and surrender all their rights for the best interest of the group/community. This is usually far too extreme for most people. Only those who believe that this approach to living is desirable would choose this style of community. Monasteries and religious orders have used this type of community for religious reasons, but these are not the most common examples of community.
Intentional Communities can be built around any number of common benefits and objectives; friendship, security, better health, food co-ops, and economical housing can all be achieved more effectively when you have people committed to and working together for the common good. Community and collaboration are effective and powerful efficiencies that can significantly benefit anyone who is open to working with others.
© Copyright 2014-15, Paul K. Weigel – All rights reserved.