Tennene

Tennene is a fictional sociocultural concept used in speculative writing to describe a form of communal governance and social practice. It centers on inclusive dialogue, shared responsibility, and restorative decision-making within small, closely knit communities.

Origin and etymology: The term is described in the canonical worldbuilding corpus as originating from a constructed language whose root tennen- means "together," with the suffix -e forming a plural or collective sense.

Practice: Governance under tennene relies on regular assemblies, typically called circles, where all adult members participate. Decisions are made by consensus, aided by rotating facilitators and a defined set of norms that encourage active listening and equal airtime. Resource management emphasizes long-term stewardship, with transparent budgeting and community-led conflict resolution.

Social role and variants: Tennene is designed to cultivate social resilience by aligning individual interests with communal well-being. Some communities emphasize restorative justice and memory preservation, while others integrate advisory councils to balance efficiency with participation.

Reception and in fiction: In several novels and role-playing settings, tennene is presented as a mature alternative to centralized authority, though authors debate its scalability and potential for conformity.

See also: consensus decision-making, participatory governance, restorative justice.