Affinity Group - An informal group, usually ranging between 5-10 people, who share similar ideas concerning vision, priorities, and strategy. An affinity group is autonomous, meaning the group can carry out its own actions without the approval of any higher authority. However, for increased effectiveness, an affinity group may participate in a cluster or a spokescouncilmeeting, to plan actions larger than the ones the group alone would be capable of carrying out. (Mass actions, etc.)

Autonomy - Autonomy (autonomous, etc.)is a political concept that suggests authority comes from below rather than above. Autonomy rejects the idea that presidents or prime ministers have the power to decide what millions of individuals may or may not do. An autonomus community is one that makes its own decisions and creates its own laws. An autonomous affinity group is an intimate group of people who share similar ideas about the world and have made the decision to work together to put their politics into action.

Cluster - A "cluster" is a group of affinty groups who share a similar direction, though possibly different strategies. A cluster generally acts within the context of a mass action. For example, a mass action confronting a bio-technology meeting might consist of groups wanting to call attention to specific issues, such as environmental consequences, or labor issues. Clusters of affinity groups may form around these different areas of focus.

Within each "cluster," however, there may be affinity groups with different understandings of their own role in direct action. One affinity group may be interested in civil disobedience, while another may be more focused on outreach. Such affinty groups could "cluster," with the interest of each group mutually served by the autonomous action of the other.

Consensus Process - Consensus process is one model of decision-making between a group of people. It functions according to proposals brought be members of the group. Unlike parliamentary decision-making, consensus process does not believe in "majority rule." Proposals are debated and modified until the entire group reaches "consensus." If consensus cannot be reached, the proposal is thrown out. That is, it will not receive the support or endorsement of the spokescouncil. An affinity group or cluster, however, may still carry out the action autonomous of the spokescouncil.

Consensus process can be time consuming, and it may be difficult or even impossible for a small group to force their agenda through as, for example, often happens in parliamentary bodies such as U.S. congress. The goal is to distribute power evenly, and to only consense upon actions that everyone in the group feels comfortable with.

Direct Action (also 'Action') - See also Mass Action . This means, quite simply, the direct application of one's politics upon the world. Direct action means moving beyond traditional understandings of "protest." Wheras protest involves "petitioning" for change or compensation, direct action refers to immediate engagement.

Mass Action - The difference between a mass action and a direct action is principally one of scale. Whereas a direct action usually refers to a single target, focused upon at a single time and place, a mass action implies the focus of many more groups upon various targets, usually over a period of time. It may, for example, take the form of a "Day of Action" against a transnational capitalist meeting taking place in a particular city. Groups may even come from out of town to participate. Targets may be dispersed throughout the city. Some actions may be planned above ground, as in the spokescouncil, while others may be clandestine.

Proposal - A proposal is basically an idea brought by an individual, organization or affinity group to a meeting such as one held by a spokescouncil, cluster or affinity group. The proposal is then debated by those within the group, usually with changes or additions being made along the way. If consensus is reached on the proposal, then the group as a whole has agreed to support and contribute work to turn the idea into a reality.

Spokescouncil - A spokescouncil is simply a way for people who share a similar vision of the world to meet together and plan concrete actions, in order to make that vision a reality. Rather than meeting only as individuals, a spokescouncil consists of representatives from organizations and affinity groups. A spokescouncil is a democratic body through which actions may be planned, which would not otherwise be possible if each group or organization worked in isolation. [more]