We understand principles as the guidelines of our work, our external appearance and the organization of the group. Since these topics are so fundamental, they are a prerequisite in the everyday life of the RV and are not discussed in passing, but at dedicated seminar or plenary where we have enough space and time to do justice to them. However, these plenaries can be convened at any time.
We identify ourselves as:
- Grassroots democratic
- Emancipatory
- independent, political group
- Responsible for the good life for all
Grassroots democracy
We hold open plenums where everyone can participate who wants to engage with our goals and interests. There are no votes at these plenums – our decisions are discussed and decided by consensus.
Open:
It is extremely important to us that we treat each other with respect. Different opinions should be heard and discussed. All people are invited to join – as long as everyone feels comfortable doing so. See the principle “For the good life for all“.
Anti-hierarchical:
There are three types of hierarchy: structural hierarchy, knowledge hierarchy and informal hierarchy.
Structural hierarchies are strictly rejected in our group. There is no hierarchy in our group – everyone is equal. Due to current university structures, it is necessary for us to fill certain positions. These are given an imperative mandate (the persons concerned must abide by plenary decisions).
We want to see, recognize and dismantle informal and knowledge hierarchies. It is essential to us that each person can acquire the necessary knowledge in an emancipatory way and break down these hierarchies.
We do not think that every organizational structure and the knowledge hierarchy that goes with it is inherently bad. We do not want to hinder our own ways of working, but prevent/avoid power imbalances.
Consensus-oriented:
We discuss all opinions. No decision should be blocked or prevented out of mere disinterest – finding a compromise is preferable in any case. If no consensus emerges (or there is agreement that no solution can be found) and making a decision is necessary (for time reasons), consensus can be reached systematically.
If a person has a bad feeling about a decision, it can be postponed. All persons should take this feeling seriously and reflect on it.
Emancipatory
Emancipation is lifting oneself up from disadvantage. Any group or individual who feels disadvantaged will find solidarity and support from us within the framework of our principles to improve the current situation. For a sustainably better world, it is important to recognize grievances, point them out and take active action against them ourselves, even if they seem to have no alternative.
We see ourselves as an independent, political group
We are not affiliated to any party or ÖH faction, are critical of them and consciously offer an alternative to such structures. Not only that, but we do not fully subscribe to the views of any party or faction.
We are fact-oriented and rational, which means that we do not adhere to rigid dogmas, but try to orient ourselves to facts and reality.
Politics refers to the regulation of the affairs of a community through binding decisions. Every conscious action that one takes (or does not take) is therefore political in character, which is why it makes perfect sense for us to have a general political mandate.
We do not see the university as an institution isolated from society, but as one closely linked to it. The university plays a big role in bringing about social change.
For the good life for all
This sentence is easily said, but it contains a lot, because only when we are all doing well can all individuals do well.
To achieve this, it is necessary to make it possible for all people to live according to their own ideas without fear for the fulfilment of basic needs (security, food, health, shelter, education, resources, political representation(see especially Articles 25.1, 26.1 & 26.2 Human Rights)). For this, it is necessary to consciously question societal standards and privileges and to actively work against inhuman attitudes & actions.
Against discrimination:
Discrimination refers to a disadvantage or degradation of groups or individuals according to certain values or based on unreflected, sometimes unconscious attitudes, prejudices or emotional associations. It is important not only to deal with the symptoms, but to tackle the problem at its roots at an early stage.
We are against all forms of discrimination, among others:
- Anti-Semitism
- Disablism
- Fascism
- Homophobia and transphobia
- Classism
- Lookism
- Racism
- Sexism
- Incitement.
Without claiming to be exhaustive, we stand up for:
- the breaking up of socially anchored, heteronormative structures (such as man-woman-child-family, consumption standards (alcohol, meat, and single use products))
- Feminism
- Equity of opportunity and accessibility
- free access to education
- Freedom of belief
- a world free of violence (physical and psychological)
- respectful treatment of each other.
In doing so, however, we understand that achieving structural changes unfortunately requires certain measures that actually only serve to combat the symptoms in the short term and that by no means function as a long-term solution to the issue.
Some of the above terms are used differently in everyday life, as well as in other (linguistic) contexts, but it is essential for us to define exactly what we mean by them. Therefore, they are briefly explained here:
Feminism:
In our view, every human being should be treated equally. An example of a long-term solution here is a rethinking of the ideas of “standards” or “role models” with which we confront children. However, this must be preceded by a major social process based on short-term and long-term measures (such as women’s quotas, women’s advancement, LGBTQIA+ rights,..). Gender and sexuality are personal matters and no one else has the right to judge anyone for it. Every person should be seen in their existence as a human being.
Equitable opportunities and accessibility:
For us, accessibility applies on a psychological as well as a physical and structural level. Equal opportunities != equity of opportunity. By equitable opportunities we mean equitable access to social goods and positions, which often means that opportunities are not distributed exactly equally to compensate for other inequalities
Lookism:
Lookism refers to stereotyping or discrimination based on appearance. It is a phenomenon that every person is confronted with in everyday life. We try to dismantle such generalizations of people based on their appearance. We want to draw attention to the fact that this creates racist and classist prejudices.