In geopolitical hard times, decentralization is hope. Decentralism should be dusted off in opposition to every centralist states' overreach.
Autonomie e Ambiente (Autonomies and Environment), as a family of decentralists, EFA partner in Italy, stands for self-government of everyone everywhere: from Puerto Rico to Greenland, from Palestinian to Kurdish territories, from Wales to Western Sahara, from Somaliland to New Caledonia.
Democratic, nonviolent, inclusive, bottom-up, and decentralizing processes are required in all states, starting with the major powers.
All those who believe in the self-governance of their local communities must work together to stop concentrations of power, which are all inherently centralist and authoritarian.
No one should delude themselves that electing a leader (a single napoleon) in a big state, no matter how progressive, populist, or conservative she/he might be, is the solution, if the state remains centralist and authoritarian. Every form of presidentialism and single-leadership has failed and will continue to fail in the complexities and difficulties of the age of globalization.
All decentralists around the world, of all political and cultural backgrounds, must talk to each other and collaborate politically.
This is especially necessary in crisis and conflict zones. Wars sooner or later end, unless we want to destroy the planet. The outcomes will rarely be just. However, the end of wars brings politics back, and politics restores a voice to the voiceless, starting with our local communities, which can begin working again for the good of their inhabitants, preserving their diversity and biodiversity for future generations.
Happy new year 2026, happy new quarter century.
Rome, 11 January 2026, Sunday of the Baptism of the Lord - Edited by AeA inter-territorial secretariat
Source of the image of the Northern Boreal hemisphere at a glance: https://alchetron.com/Northern-Hemisphere