What is Synarchy?
The direct meaning of the word synarchy is “ruling together”, and it is also described as “joint sovereignty”.
In the posts made here, synarchy refers to a system that simultaneously and synergistically employs both a “horizontal” or “peer” structure AND a “vertical” or “clout” structure.
What I am describing as synarchy is sometimes referred to as heterarchy, however, there is also another way of using the term heterarchy, where it specifically refers to the “horizontal” structure of any system, that of mutual connection or relationship on a specific structural level.
The use of the term heterarchy in these posts specifically refers to the “horizontal” or mutually connected structure of any system, as in that between peers.
In contrast, the “vertical” part of a synarchy is simply hierarchy. Hierarchy is the authority or “clout” structure in a system, and is seen in Nature in pack dynamics, as well as in the fact that complex structures encompass and govern simple structures.
Here we have a triad of three clear components: heterarchy as peer relations at any level of structure, hierarchy as influence relationships between levels of structure, and synarchy as the overall harmonious relation between, and incorporation of, all levels of the structure.
This form of organization is how Nature, as a whole, functions.
Note #1: Synarchy has much in common with the idea of holarchy, derived from the Koestler/Wilber holon or “whole-part” concept. The concept of holarchy is similar to that of synarchy, but there are differences.
Note #2: Another extant (relatively spurious) meaning of synarchy is “rule by a secret group or secret society”. This meaning is specifically excluded in these posts, and not at all referred to here.