A grassroots directly democratic assembly is a decision-making body where all members of a particular community or group participate personally, rather than through elected representatives or intermediaries, in the process of making significant decisions that affect the group as a whole. This is a core feature of direct democracy, as opposed to representative democracy, in which people elect others to deliberate and decide on their behalf, like a city council.
Consider a neighborhood that is worried about fascists harassing people, ICE abductions, deportations, etc. Instead of waiting for someone else to help, the neighbors call a meeting. In this assembly, they discuss what’s happening, share ideas for staying safe, and vote on what to do next, maybe starting community patrols and joining up with people in nearby neighborhoods.
• Everybody meets in one place – like a community hall, a park, or even online.
• Any member can bring up problems, ideas, or needs.
• Everyone has a chance to talk about what matters to them.
• When it’s time to decide, everyone votes. The decision is made by the group, not by a single leader or committee.
1. Direct Participation by All Members – Every member of the group has the right and opportunity to attend the assembly, speak, deliberate, and vote on proposals or decisions. This establishes an inclusive structure for collective governance, aiming to ensure that the concerns, voices, and interests of everyone, especially those directly affected by decisions, are genuinely considered and included in the final outcome.
2. Deliberation Through Group Discussion – Decision-making usually comes after open conversation among assembly participants. People deliberate together, discussing issues, airing concerns, and weighing options before coming to a conclusion.
3. No Permanent or Centralized Leadership – While certain tasks might be delegated to specific groups or individuals (such as facilitation or technical roles), the essential decisions are made by the full group, not by a central authority or permanent leadership. Delegated bodies or individuals are subject to recall and direct oversight by the assembly.
4. Practical Size Limits – Such assemblies are particularly suited to groups of a manageable size, often up to a few hundred people, which makes it feasible for everyone to meaningfully participate, speak, and be heard.
5. Safeguards Against Domination – The goal is to prevent the emergence of new forms of internal class, gender, or racial domination by giving everyone a direct stake, role, and say in communal governance. This structure is intended to resist tendencies toward internal stratification or manipulation of governance by a subset of members.
