The principle of intertwining

The principle of intertwining*

A certain communal structure is formed of certain groups of belonging and partnership, these groups unite to broader groups of belonging and partnership and these groups also unite to broader groups of belonging and partnership and so on. In order to understand conveniently we shall name these groups "circles"

When we check such a communal structure, the following can be measured:
1. The intensity of partnership and cooperation in each circle.
2. The fields of partnership and their character in the different circles.
3. The number of individuals in each circle, or the number of circles that are included in each broader circle.
4. The extent of correspondence between the different circles.

All these may be called: "The parameters of the communal structure". When we describe a certain communal structure, we actually are describing its different parameters.
The principle of intertwining imposes order and significance in this complicated structure.
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The principle of intertwining determines, that when a community is developed without disturbing external constraints, it independently reaches, in the course of a spontaneous process, a right balance between the parameters of its communal structure that fit its social existence.
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The individuals join together first of all into small cooperative circles composed of several members. Usually we know these circles as "families". Within them, the belonging is intimate, and the fields of partnership are first of all the ones entailed with a feeling of closeness. However, these circles are not necessarily families in the full sense of the word; they are likely to be other types of friendships.

In addition to families, the individuals tend to connect in cooperative circles which include tens of members. Such a circle may include several families. We shall name these circles "chavurot" (Hebrew word). The first kvutzot (a different way to refer to small kibbutzim) in Israel were this size, and it is still the size of some small kibbutzim today, but both are not "chavurot" in the intertwined sense, because they are not part of a larger intertwined structure…In a "chavura" that comprises several tens many fields of cooperation can exist and in a more intense level than the one we know in kibbutzim today. Due to the fact that the chavura was gathered through a process of experiment and liberated mutual choice, the correlation between the members can be numerous. The fields of cooperation can invite a face to face interaction between everyone, and cultivate mutual identification and sense of belonging.

Our assumption is not that all circles will include each other, some will partially overlap others. In partially overlapping circles a person can be a partner in group A and at the same time have partnership at certain fields in group B with different people…
We assume that an intertwined structure will eventually develop in a gradual process of experimenting and fixing, as long as the people choosing to be partners are truly sovereign, and as long as there are no disturbing external constraints.



* Intertwining- To join or become joined by twining together.