Parallel Polis
Encyclopedia
Parallel Polis is a theoretical concept developed by Czech dissident Vaclav Benda
(1942–1999) during the height of communist domination in Czechoslovakia
in the 1970s. It was translated into English in 1978.
In a repressed state, Benda argues that it is impossible to overturn corrupt social, economic and political institutions. Such efforts are futile.
Instead, he suggests the creation of new "parallel institutions" that are more responsible to human needs. In time, he further argues, these more credible institutions may supplant the old corrupt ones.
The seminal idea received great attention in the dissident
community in Czechoslovakia and in western political circles. It was, however, never put into practice. With the arrival of the Velvet Revolution
in 1990, the idea seemed irrelevant.
It has since been revived by a group of scholars at the University of Washington
. Their thinking posits that Benda's idea is now being practiced on the Internet
which more easily facilitates parallel institutions.
Vaclav Benda
Václav Benda was a Czech political activist and mathematician. Along with other dissidents in the 1960s and 70s, Benda led the movement for greater political freedom and expression in the communist-dominated nation...
(1942–1999) during the height of communist domination in Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
in the 1970s. It was translated into English in 1978.
In a repressed state, Benda argues that it is impossible to overturn corrupt social, economic and political institutions. Such efforts are futile.
Instead, he suggests the creation of new "parallel institutions" that are more responsible to human needs. In time, he further argues, these more credible institutions may supplant the old corrupt ones.
The seminal idea received great attention in the dissident
Dissident
A dissident, broadly defined, is a person who actively challenges an established doctrine, policy, or institution. When dissidents unite for a common cause they often effect a dissident movement....
community in Czechoslovakia and in western political circles. It was, however, never put into practice. With the arrival of the Velvet Revolution
Velvet Revolution
The Velvet Revolution or Gentle Revolution was a non-violent revolution in Czechoslovakia that took place from November 17 – December 29, 1989...
in 1990, the idea seemed irrelevant.
It has since been revived by a group of scholars at the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
. Their thinking posits that Benda's idea is now being practiced on the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
which more easily facilitates parallel institutions.