Sságség

Sságség is a theoretical term used in political sociology and speculative fiction to describe a form of social organization that emphasizes decentralized, participatory governance, mutual aid, and cultural autonomy across diverse communities.

Etymology and usage: The word appears to be a neologism rather than a historical term, constructed from elements reminiscent of Hungarian morphology, with the suffix -ság denoting a state or condition. It has appeared mainly in theoretical writings and speculative narratives since the early 2000s.

Principles: A sságség rests on local autonomy within a federated network, voluntary associations, subsidiarity, deliberative decision-making, and mechanisms for mutual aid. Governance tends toward transparency, participatory assemblies, rotating leadership, and open data exchange. Cultural pluralism and conflict-resolution procedures are emphasized.

Organization and economy: Local councils manage common services; cross-community councils coordinate shared infrastructure and policy. The economy favors cooperatives and local exchange systems, with emphasis on social welfare, ecological sustainability, and reduced dependence on centralized markets. Digital platforms often support deliberation and coordination.

History and reception: As a concept, sságség has been discussed mainly in utopian or counterfactual contexts. While cited as a model for resilience and citizen empowerment, critics question scalability, enforcement, and the potential for fragmentation or free-rider problems in large, diverse populations.

See also: participatory democracy, subsidiarity, cooperative movement, confederation.