1. Startup Society:

A startup society refers to a small, experimental community that pioneers innovative systems of governance, economics, or social organisation. These societies often test ideas that challenge traditional structures and aim to build better alternatives.

• Why The Stoke Model fits:
• It is pioneering an alternative economic system centered on Community Benefit Tokens (CBTs) and the Potteries Pound, which challenge traditional monetary systems.
• The focus on eliminating waste, fostering social value, and regenerating communities aligns with the experimental nature of a startup society.
• Its approach to creating a community-driven economic model is innovative, involving digital wallets, gamification, and a unique blend of social fintech and cause-related marketing.

2. Parallel Society:

A parallel society operates alongside the mainstream, creating systems, institutions, or economies that function independently of existing ones. The term often implies a form of self-sufficiency or sovereignty from dominant structures like government or corporations.

• Why The Stoke Model fits:
• The project emphasizes community sovereignty, minting its own currency, and creating a self-sustaining economic network independent of traditional authorities or institutions.
• The goal to legitimize their authority without needing approval from local government or other sectors is characteristic of a parallel society.
• It envisions a decentralised, community-based economy that operates on its own rules and standards, distinct from the mainstream capitalist system.

Which Term Fits Better?

If the emphasis is on innovation and testing new ideas, The Stoke Model aligns more closely with a startup society. However, if the focus is on independence and building an alternative to existing systems, it leans towards being a parallel society.

In reality, it embodies elements of both:

• It is startup-like in its experimental and iterative approach.
• It is parallel-like in its goal to operate autonomously and provide an alternative to mainstream systems.

The Stoke Model could be described as a “parallel startup society”: a small-scale initiative that experiments with transformative ideas while seeking to operate independently from existing structures.