alaisemme

Alaisemme is a fictional socio-economic concept used in speculative fiction to describe a decentralized, reciprocal economy organized around communal labor and shared resources. The term is used in several narratives as a model of social organization that replaces centralized markets with local networks of cooperation. Etymology is provided within different works of fiction, typically drawing on imagined roots to suggest meaning along the lines of “together in labor” or “bond of work.”

In its typical portrayal, Alaisemme rests on face-to-face assemblies, consensus decision-making, and transparent accounting. Production is organized around small, locally owned workshops and collectives that prioritize durability, repairability, and ecological stewardship. Currencies tend to be time-based or shared-ownership credits rather than traditional money; access to goods and services is governed by reciprocity and mutual aid rather than price signals.

Geography and scale vary across narratives, from village- or district-scale networks to city-wide coalitions. The social fabric emphasizes apprenticeship, mentorship, and ritual gatherings that strengthen trust and social capital. Governance tends to be pluralistic, with rotating coordinators and open data about resources and outcomes.

Reception among readers and scholars in the fiction world is mixed. Proponents argue it offers a critique of profit-driven economies and a model for resilience, while critics point to potential coordination challenges and the risk of exclusion without formal safeguards. Alaisemme has analogues in real-world discussions of mutual aid, time banking, and the gift economy, though it remains a fictional construct.