> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://circles.logos.co/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://circles.logos.co/parallel-society-playbook/about-parallel-societies.md). # About Parallel Societies ### What is a parallel society The creation of a parallel society is a form of non-violent civil resistance, where an organised group of people build parallel civil structures that work alongside harmful and unfair ones under which they live. The concept comes from Czechoslovak dissidents living under a totalitarian regime, who were forced to create parallel institutions in law, education, media, infrastructure, and culture to survive. The parallel polis - as they called it - was not merely a cultural sphere or a political movement, but an alternative way of life. In this way, it was not opposed to the official system so much as it existed beside it, in "parallel." ### The Logos parallel society Logos puts together a technology stack and a social movement to form our own version of a parallel society. The stack provides the infrastructure: decentralised, private-by-default tools for communication, storage, and coordination. The movement builds local institutions on the stack and encourages community organisation and action, problem-solving, skill-building, mutual aid, and a culture of civic duty. In this way, the parallel society produces and sustains: \- Sovereign individuals: free to think, speak, transact, and exit without permission. \- Sound money: free from debasement and financial censorship, supporting a growing parallel economy. \- Private coordination: revealing oneself becomes a real choice, protecting free association. \- Healthy communities: full of purpose and capable of solving their own problems. \- A culture of civic virtue: people of enough moral character to sustain what they build. Circles build this by solving one issue at a time until more permanent institutions appear. Each [civil society issue bucket](https://circles.logos.co/readme/for-circle-stewards/section-1-organising-circles-around-local-action/circles-civil-society-issue-buckets-pilo) is one of those functions. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters: ``` GET https://circles.logos.co/parallel-society-playbook/about-parallel-societies.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.