kollektiv

Kollektiv is a German noun meaning a group of people who act together for a common purpose. It emphasizes collective action, shared decision-making, and sometimes joint ownership, and it can describe informal groups as well as formal organizations. In everyday language it appears in phrases such as "das Kollektiv arbeitet" or "ein Kollektiv von Künstlerinnen," and it is commonly used in contexts like art collectives, housing collectives, activist groups, and worker collectives. The term is gendered as a masculine noun, with plural "Kollektive."

Etymology and scope: Kollektiv is a loanword from French collectif, ultimately from Latin collectīvus. In German, it took on a broad sense to denote groups organized for common aims, often with egalitarian or participatory undertones. In cultural and political discourse it is used both descriptively and as a self-designation by groups that prefer non-hierarchical structures. In compound forms such as Kollektivvertrag, the term appears in labor-law vocabulary, indicating relationships between a group of workers and employers.

Beyond sociology and law, Kollektiv is a common label in the arts and media. Many projects, studios, and publications identify themselves as Kollektiv to signal collaboration rather than a single author. As a concept, "Kollektiv" contrasts with individualism and with strictly hierarchical organizations, reflecting a preference for shared ownership, collective decision-making, and mutual responsibility. Notable uses are varied and often depend on regional and subcultural contexts.