**Alternative institution building** in civil resistance refers to the creation of new, independent structures or institutions that provide people with alternatives to the existing, often oppressive, political, economic, or social systems. These alternative institutions are built by communities or movements as a way of demonstrating and enacting a vision for a more just and equitable society. They can serve as models of the society the movement is striving to create and offer practical solutions to the problems caused by the status quo. Alternative institution building often focuses on areas such as: 1. **Community-based decision-making**: Instead of relying on centralized or hierarchical systems, alternative institutions may adopt democratic, participatory processes, allowing communities to make decisions collectively. 2. **Economic alternatives**: These might include cooperative businesses, barter systems, local currencies, or worker-owned enterprises that challenge capitalist structures and provide more equitable economic opportunities. 3. **Educational alternatives**: Movements may create independent schools, community education programs, or free universities to counteract state-controlled or corporate-dominated education systems. 4. **Health and welfare**: Grassroots health clinics, mutual aid networks, or alternative healthcare practices might be developed to provide services to those excluded from mainstream systems. 5. **Media and communication**: Independent media outlets, social media networks, or community-run radio stations that offer alternative narratives to those controlled by the state or corporations. These alternative institutions not only meet immediate community needs but also embody the values and principles of the resistance, such as solidarity, equality, and sustainability. ### **Dual Power** The concept of **dual power** is closely related to alternative institution building. It refers to a situation where two conflicting centers of authority or power exist simultaneously: one is the established or official system of governance (e.g., the state, capitalist institutions, etc.), and the other is the emerging alternative system or institutions built by the resistance. These two systems exist side by side, often in tension, with the alternative institutions gradually gaining strength and influence. In civil resistance, dual power is a strategy where movements not only challenge the existing power structures but also create functioning alternatives that weaken the authority of the old system. By building parallel institutions and gaining legitimacy and support, these movements can reduce the grip of the state or other oppressive powers and create the conditions for a peaceful transition to a new form of governance or society. ### **How Alternative Institutions and Dual Power Relate** 1. **Undermining the Old System**: The alternative institutions challenge the existing system by offering better, more humane solutions. For example, a cooperative economic model might demonstrate the inefficiencies or injustices of the capitalist market, encouraging people to move away from it. By providing alternatives in key areas like education, health, and economics, these institutions chip away at the foundation of the established system. 2. **Building Confidence and Legitimacy**: As the alternative institutions grow, they demonstrate that another way of organizing society is possible. This can inspire people to disengage from the official system and align with the resistance movement, thereby increasing its influence and legitimacy. The more people participate in the alternative institutions, the more they see the new system as viable. 3. **Creating a Counterbalance to State Power**: In a dual power situation, the state's authority is directly challenged by the growing influence of these alternative institutions. This creates a power struggle, as both systems compete for control over society’s resources, decisions, and future direction. Eventually, if the resistance movement can establish enough alternative structures and gain mass support, it could lead to a situation where the state’s authority is either weakened or replaced. 4. **A Nonviolent Path to Change**: Dual power strategies often emphasize nonviolent resistance, using the creation of alternative institutions as a way of peacefully dismantling or replacing an unjust system. Rather than focusing solely on protests or direct confrontation, the emphasis is on building a "parallel society" that operates according to the principles the movement believes in. ### Example One historical example of dual power and alternative institution building can be seen during the Russian Revolution of 1917. Workers and peasants created **soviets** (workers' councils) that took on the role of local governance, effectively competing with the power of the Tsarist state and later the provisional government. These soviets were alternative institutions that represented a more direct, participatory form of governance. The idea of dual power also appeared in the Spanish Revolution (1936-1939), where anarchists and workers created cooperative collectives and self-managed workplaces, challenging both the Spanish state and fascist forces. In conclusion, **alternative institution building** is a practical and strategic element of civil resistance that aligns closely with the idea of **dual power**. It allows resistance movements to undermine existing systems while simultaneously constructing new, more just alternatives that can eventually replace the old order, especially when combined with mass mobilization and widespread support.