A Proto-Technate

by Dr. Andrew Wallace BEng(hons) PhD EurIng

Establishing a Proto-Technate

Four things are needed to establish a proto-technate:

• Land The land should be sufficient to produce a basic amount of food and energy for a small community. More than one area of land should be purchased and they should be purchased close to where the members of NET currently live.
• Securing an energy source. As nothing can be done without energy, the proto-technate would need to secure an energy source as soon as it starts. This would initially be done by using solar and wind energy, but may be complimented with other sources. As the network groups up, more sources of energy would be needed, which could include solar towers or other forms of energy production. Whichever method is used, it is important that they are environmentally friendly and renewable.
• A cooperative company will need to be established to handle the business side of the proto-technate.
• People People will be needed to form the actual community. “Community” in this context is used in a loose sense. It does not mean that everyone in the community has to live on the land that the proto-technate owns, although that may be the case.

Forming a Network

Once a number of communities have been established they need to be networked. It is imagined that perhaps the first few communities would mainly produce food but as more communities are added to the proto-technate, production of other goods could be initiated. The more people and the more communities there are, the more things can be done. What should be done will depend on what others are doing and what is available and needed by others.

Transferring to a Full Technate

When a reasonably large network has been established, moves can be made to transfer over to a full technate. “Reasonably large” is imprecise as it will depend on the situation of Europe at the time.

Transferring over to a full technate may require some political will and a referendum. It is hoped that a proto-technate will be a demonstration of what a technate is all about and work well enough to be considered as a serious alternative to the current socioeconomic system and the best alternative for a sustainable world. This possibility relies on Europe being in a civilized state. However, if the worst happens due to peak oil, environmental change, etc., Europe may deteriorate. In this case the proto-technate will offer a stable structure that would attract various groups who would wish to join it. In such a case, Europe would move over to a full technate in parts.

Either way, it is envisioned that it could take 2 or 3 generations for a full technate to be established.

The Role of Eco-Units

Eco-units are small, self-sufficient communities designed by Swedish systems-ecologist Folke Gunther. They form one possible building block for a proto-technate or even an urbanate in a full technate.