Njurs

Njurs is a term used in speculative fiction and contemporary design discourse to describe a framework for resilient, self-organizing communities. The concept envisions networks of households and small collectives coordinating production, distribution, and governance through decentralized, voluntary associations rather than centralized authorities.

Core features include distributed decision-making, mutual aid, and modular resource systems. Njurs emphasizes local production of food, energy, and information, supported by digital platforms that enable transparent accounting, shared tools, and risk pooling. It also incorporates informal currencies or time-based exchange to facilitate collaboration without reliance on a single monetary system.

Governance in njurs is typically polycentric and participatory, with rotating roles, local assemblies, and consent-based decision processes. Data stewardship and privacy are prioritized, and interoperability between neighboring njur networks is facilitated by standardized protocols and open-source tools. The approach aims to be scalable through self-similar units that can join or leave networks without collapse.

In practice, njurs appears in theoretical treatises, design fiction, and scenario planning as a thought experiment to explore resilience and equity in post-industrial futures. Critics question feasibility, transaction costs, and potential for unequal influence unless safeguards are built into the system.