Feature : Affinity Groups

"The vital flow of life back and forth from affinity groups to core, the intense sense of community that knits together all the groups internally as well as externally has no parallel....[the structure of affinity groups] has raised the abiding issue of organisation - not merely as a 'means' to a social end, but as an expression of that end, the goal of a free non-hierarchical society in the fullest sense of the term"
Murray Bookchin , 'From Rim to Core', Peace News , October 1977

What is an Affinity Group?

An affinity group is a group of people who have something in common with each other; who have decided that they want to take part in political action as a close, supportive group; and who meet regularly. An affinity group structure recognises the need for several roles in effective campaigning alongside 'activist' as well as the need for several types of support - emotional as well as legal.

Working in affinity groups also recognises the need to move away from an individualistic model of activity and the need to move towards one which uses a model of active participation.

History

Affinity groups take their names from the 'grupos de affinidad' devised by Spanish anarchists in pre-Franco days. The idea was then developed to be used in the occupation of a nuclear power plant site at Seabrook, New Hampshire, USA in 1977. 2000 people took part, two thirds of whom were arrested. The action's success was attributed to most of the occupiers undergoing non-violent training in small affinity groups and their co-ordination in a democratic structure emphasising equality and participation. In the 1980's the peace movement in Britain used affinity groups for both specific non-violent direct action events and for ongoing, small and supportive non-violent action groups.

Structure

An affinity group usually consists of between 3 and 15 people. Such a group can be used ad hoc - formed for a specific action then disbanded - or can try and meet regularly - for evaluation, planning, action and support. There are a whole host of possible roles - these could include contact person, media, support, legal as well as those prepared to get arrested. Reaching collective decisions among a number of affinity groups on a large scale action can be achieved through a 'spokescouncil' to which each affinity group sends a representative, who feeds in the views of the group and also feeds back what other groups are thinking.

Why Affinity Groups?

Sustaining a campaigner for the long haul and encouraging confidence in action

Affinity groups can bring an often poorly planned or overlooked element to our work - that of support. Campaigning can be wearing as we come up against obstacles all the time, both external and internal, including bulldozers, fences, police, physical violence, courts, fear, doubt, despair. Trying to tackle all of these alone can be too much but in a group of supportive, sympathetic people, fears and doubts can be listened to and transformed into a confidence to take risks and actions for our beliefs. The solidarity of affinity groups counteracts the televised messages that we are powerless and alone, or the constant suggestions that we must let the experts, the politicians, the professional campaigners make changes on our behalf. Being part of an affinity group strengthens our ability to take direct action - to act directly on a situation without recourse to a representative.

Subverting leadership, encouraging participation

Affinity groups provide a challenge to individualistic tendencies and culture which all too often allow ego or territorial claims to undermine otherwise successful campaigning. By working in consensus-based small groups, all members are able to participate in planning, decision-making and carrying out decisions, avoiding relying on strong, charismatic leaders and making people less prone to being manipulated by self-styled leaders. Because affinity groups are self-governing and fully responsible they use the energy of all participants rather than relying on the drive of a small group of leaders who may burn out quickly.

Countering state oppression

At a time of increasing state oppression of environmental activists affinity groups provide a new direction, not just by ensuring that the movement does not rely on easily picked off key individuals, but also in containing any infiltration within a small group or challenging this as a group gets to know each other's skills, strengths and weaknesses. An affinity group structure also means that information is decentralised, limiting the possibilities for full disclosure of an action.

Thinking strategically

An affinity group provides space to follow up actions, evaluate and carry the momentum forward onto the next action.

Avoiding violence

Acting in small groups with support means less threatening situations, reducing the need for violence and making people less prone to panic. Operating as a group also allows those involved to know who they are working with and define boundaries, eg non-violence, if they so wish.

Improving organisation

Obviously it is easier to keep in touch with 10 affinity groups than with 120 individuals!

Affinity groups recognise the importance of community as a foundation for our resistance and offer us the chance to enact a vision now - that of supportive, non-hierarchical, participatory, flexible and friendly groups of people taking action.

Whilst affinity groups take forward some elements that Earth First! attempts already (avoidance of hierarchies; participation in decision-making), adopting affinity groups recognises that 'structure' is different to 'authoritarianism' and enables us to challenge the confusion between the two.

Large parts of the above are from Affinity Groups produced by the Jigsaw non-violence project (01865 770883). Other useful resources are Path of Resistance by Per Herngren (New Society Publishers) and 'Sustaining ourselves for the long haul', Peace News , May 97 and 'From Seabrook to Gorleben: the role of affinity groups', Peace News, April 97.