tientienne

Tientienne is a term used in speculative fiction and social theory to denote a form of community organization that emphasizes close interdependence, shared resources, and non-hierarchical governance. In Tientienne models, neighborhoods are organized around cooperative housing, common facilities, and participatory decision making, with responsibilities distributed through rotating councils and consensus processes rather than centralized authorities.

Etymology and origin: The term is a neologism created in French-language worldbuilding circles, drawing on the suffix -ienne to form adjectives or demonyms and on roots evocative of gathering and stewardship. It does not denote a real nationality and is typically used as a conceptual label for a particular mode of social life rather than a historical community.

Characteristics: Tientienne prioritize mutual aid networks, shared child care, communal kitchens, and repair culture. Housing is often arranged in co-housing clusters with shared workspaces and energy systems designed for resilience. Economic activity centers on cooperatives and local exchange rather than market competition, with decision making conducted through inclusive forums and restorative circles for conflict resolution.

Contexts and usage: In fiction and game design, Tientienne settings are used to explore questions of sustainability, autonomy, and social equity. They provide a lens to examine trade-offs between collective welfare and individual autonomy, and they often appear in utopian or critical-dystopian narratives. See also: communalism, mutual aid, cooperative housing, participatory budgeting.