An Operational Framework for an Online Community Based on the Commons, Dissensus and Shared Knowledge

In this article, we introduce a dissensual knowledge production mechanism for the creation and governance of the commons. Rather than seeking a singular truth which is a social construct, producing a bricolage of truths by citizen associations or communities opens up new perspectives for the commons and democracy. Taking an online community as a case study, we analyze knowledge production and sharing mechanisms, and conflict generation and resolution processes, using simple statistics, text mining, disagreement hierarchy, community guidelines, and group rules. We use the conclusions drawn from these techniques in the Institutional Analysis and Development framework. Superposing our findings and critical reading of current best practices, we define the four main principles as the operational framework for an online community based on the commons, dissensus, and shared knowledge: distributed versioning, layering, inclusion, and self-determination.

Publication year:2019

Accessibility:Open