civiske

Civiske is a term used in speculative fiction and worldbuilding to describe a socio-political philosophy and set of cultural practices centered on participatory governance and civic responsibility. The term was coined by author A. Kessler in 2012 in notes on the imagined archipelago of Nordis.

At its core, civiske envisions broad citizen participation in political decision-making through ordinary assemblies, deliberative forums, and often sortition to appoint magistrates. Decisions are typically made by consensus or majority after public argument, with strong emphasis on transparency, accountability, and protection against centralized power.

Social life under civiske norms prizes education, public service, and cooperative labor. Public spaces are designed for assembly, and record-keeping is meticulous to enable accountability.

The Civiske culture also features a language and ritual life built around public deliberation. Artistic forms include oral storytelling that models argumentation, and ceremonies that mark the opening and closing of assemblies.

In fiction and worldbuilding discourse, civiske serves as a thought experiment on participatory governance, used to discuss potential strengths and challenges of deliberative democracies in scalable societies. Critics note practical barriers, while proponents point to increased legitimacy and social trust.