prefiguration

Prefiguration is the idea that the methods and practices used to pursue political or social goals should themselves embody the values and social relations that supporters want to see in the future. In this view, the means of organizing—how decisions are made, how resources are shared, and how people treat one another—are not separate from the ends; they are a part of the end product.

The term is commonly used in anarchist, feminist, socialist, and anti-capitalist circles, as well as by social-movement scholars. Proponents argue that creating and participating in egalitarian, nonhierarchical, and cooperative structures within a movement can model and hasten the transition to a more just society. Prefigurative practices include consensus decision-making, rotating leadership, mutual aid, voluntary associations, cooperative ownership, and inclusive participation. The idea is that such parallel institutions demonstrate the feasibility and desirability of the desired future.

Examples often cited include building organizations and communities that operate with participatory democracy, cooperative labor arrangements, and nonviolent, non-coercive relations among members. Activists may also attempt to run parallel institutions—independent schools, clinics, or mutual-aid networks—that reflect the society they seek to create.

Critics argue that prefiguration can be impractical or slow, potentially limiting strategic flexibility or reform efforts that require engagement with existing political or economic systems. Others caution that aspiring to perfect coherence between means and ends may distract from urgent issues or alienate potential allies who do not share the same organizational ideals. Nonetheless, prefigurative politics remains a touchstone for discussions about how social change is pursued and what the path to a desired future should look like.