For decades, popular culture has sensationalized the idea of communes, often portraying them with negative stereotypes: poor, dirty, crazy, cult-like, and dangerous. But What Is A Commune really? Do these communities still exist today, and what makes them different?
Let’s delve into the world of communes, examining their definition, history, how they operate, and common misconceptions. We’ll explore the unique aspects of these income-sharing communities and their place within the broader intentional communities movement.
The Sunburst Commune thrived in California, showcasing a communal lifestyle.
Defining a Commune: More Than Just a Hippie Haven
While often associated with radical or hippie lifestyles and off-grid living in rural areas, the term “commune” has a specific meaning within the context of intentional communities. A commune is defined as an income-sharing community, or at least a community with a significant degree of economic sharing among its members.
The Oxford English Dictionary provides a concise definition:
com·mune
/ˈkäˌmyo͞on/
noun plural noun: communes
A group of people living together and sharing possessions and responsibilities.
“She went to California and joined a commune.”
Most communes share core values centered around egalitarianism and a desire to create an alternative economic system, often in contrast to capitalism. These communities operate by pooling resources, sharing responsibilities, and collaboratively working towards a sustainable and equitable living environment.
Communes vs. Other Intentional Communities
It’s important to differentiate a commune from other types of intentional communities. The key distinction lies in the economic structure. While many intentional communities exist, the vast majority do not share income. In these communities, residents typically maintain largely separate finances, holding individual jobs either working remotely or commuting, much like the broader society. Many of these intentional communities serve as residential neighborhoods or cooperative living arrangements, lacking shared businesses.
In contrast, communes operate on a fundamentally different model, prioritizing the shared resources. This level of shared responsibility and economic collaboration sets communes apart from other intentional communities.
A Glimpse into the History of Communes
The history of communes is long and multifaceted, often emerging in response to economic hardship or social dissatisfaction. Historian Timothy Miller notes in his book, Communes in America 1975-2000, intentional communities have existed for centuries.
Alexa Clay notes the correlation between communal experimentation and challenging times:
“The largest surge in communitarian ‘start-ups’ occurred during the 1840s and 1890s, coinciding with periods of economic depression. But it would be a mistake to see intentional communities merely as a knee-jerk response to hard times. In historic terms, a broader discontent with industrial society has led to people flocking to communes, utopias and spiritual settlements, from eco-villages and ‘back to the land’ style settlements designed to create sustainable lifestyles and a stronger relationship to nature, to communities founded with spiritual or idealist visions for transforming human character and creating new blueprints of society. Of course, the ‘cult’ label is never far behind. Many intentional communities have had to fight their own public-relations battles in the wake of negative or sensational publicity.”
Despite facing controversies, some communes have stood the test of time, offering a glimpse into alternative ways of living that challenge conventional norms of capitalism and individualism.
Modern-Day Communes: Still Thriving
Despite the stereotype of communes as relics of the 1960s, they are still active today, with new ones continuing to emerge.
Currently, there are 32 established income-sharing intentional communities (17 Christian and 15 secular). The majority of these are located in the United States, with a smaller number in Europe, primarily in Germany, and one currently being established in Canada. While some of these income-sharing communities also share assets, most do not.
You can specifically search the online communities directory for communities that share most or all of their income using the advanced search feature.
The Federation of Egalitarian Communities (TheFEC.org) serves as a network of income-sharing communities, offering insights into the current membership numbers and details about these unique communities.
The core principles that guide FEC communities include:
Each of the FEC communities:
- Holds its land, labor, income and other resources in common.
- Assumes responsibility for the needs of its members, receiving the products of their labor and distributing these and all other goods equally, or according to need.
- Practices non-violence.
- Uses a form of decision making in which members have an equal opportunity to participate, either through consensus, direct vote, or right of appeal or overrule.
- Actively works to establish the equality of all people and does not permit discrimination on the basis of race, class, creed, ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
- Acts to conserve natural resources for present and future generations while striving to continually improve ecological awareness and practice.
- Creates processes for group communication and participation and provides an environment which supports people’s development.
Acorn Community in Virginia exemplifies a modern-day commune.
Understanding the Functioning of Communes
Within a typical commune, members either hold outside jobs and pool their income or work within businesses owned and operated by the community. For example, Compersia Commune in Washington, D.C., is an urban income-sharing community where residents have traditional jobs, such as teaching or technical positions, but their income is pooled and managed collectively for the benefit of all members.
Conversely, Twin Oaks in Virginia, stands as the largest and oldest secular income-sharing community in the United States, operating seven businesses and growing the majority of its food. All able-bodied members contribute to running these businesses, managing home maintenance, and providing childcare, with a labor quota of approximately 38 hours per week. In return, members receive housing, food, medical insurance, tax payments, and other basic needs covered by the community. Residents also receive a small stipend for personal expenses.
These economic arrangements are designed to reduce envy and material inequality among members, fostering harmony and cooperation within the community.
Twin Oaks Community in Virginia showcases a long-standing income-sharing model.
Debunking Common Misconceptions
Many myths and misconceptions surround the concept of communes, often fueled by popular culture and a lack of understanding. Let’s address some of the most common:
- Communes are not cults: They operate democratically, with collective decision-making processes involving all members.
- Communes are not outdated: They continue to thrive, integrating modern practices and technology.
- Communes attract diverse members: People from all walks of life join, not solely individuals fitting the “hippie” stereotype.
- Living in a commune doesn’t mean losing personal freedom: Members retain individual choices and privacy.
- Communes can be economically stable: Many sustain themselves through shared businesses and pooled resources, providing financial security.
Popular culture often misrepresents communes, as depicted in this comic from The New Yorker.
Conclusion: Is Commune Life Right For You?
What is a commune? It is more than just a group of people living together; it is a commitment to shared resources, collective responsibility, and a unique economic structure. While anyone can technically live in a commune, joining requires acceptance by the community and a genuine desire to embrace this lifestyle. By understanding the true nature of communes, we can move beyond the stereotypes and appreciate the diverse ways people are choosing to live and build community.
