Self-determination, deliberative democracy, networks and positive ecology via community initiatives in Tasmania, Australia

One significance of self-determination is that it can reduce reliance on the market and the state as an organizing mechanism. The benefits in essence derive from intrinsic motivation, that is, autonomy, versus external motivation, that is heteronomy. This paper builds on self-determination using networks as a broader organizing mechanism, where horizontal linkages connect emerging movements for change. Positive ecology is proposed as underpinning both these concepts, in terms of socio-ecological synergies, where satisfying our own needs for psychological health serendipitously coincide with the needs of others and the environment. Building systems involving positive ecology, and that directly address self-determination, based on people forming quality social relationships with others via networks of many loose and strong ties, allows less reliance on political-economic systems that tend to reduce opportunities for self-determination, and replace intrinsic motivation with external controls. The testing and tempering of ideas through deliberative democracy is an additional concept important to this vision. This paper links the micro (in terms of self-determination theory), the meso (in terms of social development) and the macro (in terms of deliberative democracy and sustainable society). It contends that alongside self-deter-determination, inequality is the main issue to be addressed in building sustainable systems, for which participation is important first step. Finally this paper will investigate community initiatives in North-West Tasmania for their potential to further self-determination, deliberative democracy and ideas of positive ecology.