For the sake of this discussion, let's assume "parallel society" means an actual "parallel society" with some degree of separation, and not simply a slightly different culture that is otherwise part of regular society. So urban ghettos and reservations for indigenous peoples don't count.
The only real "parallel societies" that exist in the West today, that I know of, are religious groups that were established hundreds of years ago. I am American, so I can only speak for my part of the world and not Europe or Asia.
There are the Amish. They're German-descended fundamentalist Protestants who reject technology, and wider society entirely, and basically keep to themselves. If you see "Amish" owned businesses they are most likely Mennonites (related, but less strict group) using the name with permission, as true Old Order Amish are agrarian and isolationist.
FLDS are fundamentalist mormons that setup isolated towns in the desert to practice their religion privately. It isn't a good example of a parallel society, as their leadership are polygamists who kick out the excess young men so they can marry literally dozens of women each, many of which are underage.
There are the Hutterites, also technology-averse Protestants, but from Ukraine and not Germany. They are mainly in Canada but some are in the north-central US.
There are countless communes of varying viewpoints, as well as facilities like monasteries, but I don't think they count because they are either too small to truly be "societies", and/or have some degree of integration into society.
If you want to go about starting a new "parallel society" today, it might be doable depending on how much separation you try to introduce. If you separate too much and too successfully, expect a fate similar to the Branch Davidians or the people of Ruby Ridge. Not being a doomer, it's simply established fact that the system doesn't like people to escape.
Amish, Hutterites, and other groups are tolerated only because they're already established, too big and too openly benign to suppress without public backlash, (and simultaneously too small to have real influence) and have no interest in interfering with modern politics/culture.
That being said, it's entirely possible to avoid the worst of modernity without getting on the radar too much, so that would be a good place to start. Focus on getting numbers first, then break away by degrees.
A less ambitious project would be something like a fraternal/secret society. If it's not possible to completely detach, it's much more doable to maximize the material aid and comfort you give to your friends and minimize that which you give to your enemies.
For the sake of this discussion, let's assume "parallel society" means an actual "parallel society" with some degree of separation, and not simply a slightly different culture that is otherwise part of regular society. So urban ghettos and reservations for indigenous peoples don't count.
The only real "parallel societies" that exist in the West today, that I know of, are religious groups that were established hundreds of years ago. I am American, so I can only speak for my part of the world and not Europe or Asia.
There are the Amish. They're German-descended fundamentalist Protestants who reject technology, and wider society entirely, and basically keep to themselves. If you see "Amish" owned businesses they are most likely Mennonites (related, but less strict group) using the name with permission, as true Old Order Amish are agrarian and isolationist.
FLDS are fundamentalist mormons that setup isolated towns in the desert to practice their religion privately. It isn't a good example of a parallel society, as their leadership are polygamists who kick out the excess young men so they can marry literally dozens of women each, many of which are underage.
There are the Hutterites, also technology-averse Protestants, but from Ukraine and not Germany. They are mainly in Canada but some are in the north-central US.
There are countless communes of varying viewpoints, as well as facilities like monasteries, but I don't think they count because they are either too small to truly be "societies", and/or have some degree of integration into society.
If you want to go about starting a new "parallel society" today, it might be doable depending on how much separation you try to introduce. If you separate too much and too successfully, expect a fate similar to the Branch Davidians or the people of Ruby Ridge. Not being a doomer, it's simply established fact that the system doesn't like people to escape.
Amish, Hutterites, and other groups are tolerated only because they're already established, too big and too openly benign to suppress without public backlash, (and simultaneously too small to have real influence) and have no interest in interfering with modern politics/culture.
That being said, it's entirely possible to avoid the worst of modernity without getting on the radar too much, so that would be a good place to start. Focus on getting numbers first, then break away by degrees.
A less ambitious project would be something like a fraternal/secret society. If it's not possible to completely detach, it's much more doable to maximize the material aid and comfort you give to your friends and minimize that which you give to your enemies.
Expect 50% fed to member ratio.