UNDERSTANDING DECENTRALIZATION THROUGH AMC'S THE WALKING DEAD
COMMUNICATION
IN THE WALKING DEAD
Are the communities in The Walking Dead able to communicate their wants and needs free from the fear of their voices being stifled, monitored, or censored by those in power? (Gevers, 2014)
COMMUNITY
Does the community have decentralized communication?
Explanation
ALEXANDRIA
Rick, as the leader of Alexandria seems to allow open communication from those he leads. Rick has earned the respect of the Alexandrians, so his ideas are usually accepted as what is best for the group, yet Rick does not take advantage of that respect. There are many instances where people openly challenge Rick's decisions without censorship or consequences, and even make Rick change his mind on the path forward for the group. Alexandria gets a slightly reluctant up arrow for decentralized communication (The Walking Dead, 2010-2018).
Picture of Rick. (n.d.). Retrieved April 21, 2018, from http://www.amc.com/shows/the-walking-dead/cast-crew
The Walking Dead [Television series]. (2010-2018). New York, NY: AMC Network Entertainment, LLC.
Negan does not welcome the advice of anyone. His word and commands are followed to the letter. If those commands are not followed, the unfortunate souls who defy him are forced to suffer severe consequences. Negan does not allow open communication and meets dissenting opinions with brute force. Negan and the Saviors get a BIG down arrow for decentralized communication (The Walking Dead, 2010-2018).
THE SAVIORS
Picture of Negan. (n.d.). Retrieved April 21, 2018, from http://www.amc.com/shows/the-walking-dead/cast-crew
The Walking Dead [Television series]. (2010-2018). New York, NY: AMC Network Entertainment, LLC.
The Hilltop perhaps has the most decentralized communication of any of TWD communities. On many occasions in dire circumstances Maggie even allows opinions of the prisoners she keeps to be heard and considered. Maggie is a fierce warrior, but she also takes time to listen to those she leads in a very decentralized manner (The Walking Dead, 2010-2018). The Hilltop gets a HUGE arrow up for decentralized communication.
HILLTOP
Picture of Maggie. (n.d.). Retrieved April 21, 2018, from http://www.amc.com/shows/the-walking-dead/cast-crew
The Walking Dead [Television series]. (2010-2018). New York, NY: AMC Network Entertainment, LLC.
THE KINGDOM
The Kingdom is unique as it demonstrates both centralized and decentralized communication. Ezekiel is a benevolent King, but is still the King in his community's eyes. There are quite a few examples where Ezekiel entertains the opinions of others in his community and outside of his community, but overrules their opinions and does his own thing, especially when originally dealing with how his community would deal with Negan (The Walking Dead, 2010-2018). Ezekiel and the Kingdom get a reluctant mixed arrow vote in terms of decentralized communication.
Picture of Ezekiel. (n.d.). Retrieved April 21, 2018, from http://www.amc.com/shows/the-walking-dead/cast-crew
The Walking Dead [Television series]. (2010-2018). New York, NY: AMC Network Entertainment, LLC.
OCEANSIDE
Not much is known about Cyndie's leadership, but it is obvious that opinions were not considered by the former lead of Oceanside, her grandmother Natania. Cyndie seems slightly more open to the opinions of those she leads (The Walking Dead, 2010-2018). However, for the majority of Season 8, Cyndie deserves a reluctant down arrow vote for decentralized communication.
Picture of Cyndie. (n.d.). Retrieved April 21, 2018, from http://walkingdead.wikia.com/wiki/File:Cyndie_Season_7.jpg
The Walking Dead [Television series]. (2010-2018). New York, NY: AMC Network Entertainment, LLC.
THE TRASH PEOPLE
It is unknown exactly how the Trash People communicate, as they actively try not to speak, literally. Saying that, it does seem that Jadis, their leader, entertains the opinions of those within her group, but lies openly to those outside her group to what she thinks is her group's advantage (The Walking Dead, 2010-2018) and the Trash People get a mixed arrow vote for decentralized communicate.
Picture of Jadis. (n.d.). Retrieved April 21, 2018, from http://www.amc.com/shows/the-walking-dead/cast-crew
The Walking Dead [Television series]. (2010-2018). New York, NY: AMC Network Entertainment, LLC.
Gevers, Johann (2014). The four pillars of a decentralized society | Johann Gevers | TEDxZug. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oeiOeDq_Nc