Sociocracy
Forms of Decision-Making
Here are the different kinds of decision-making processes. When I have more time, I'll make this page better.

Chaos (beyond conscious control)

A welling up of not directly connected possibilities. The control of disconnected power phenomenon or present possibilities.

Belief (Magic)

Religion

The all connected beliefs - or unity - principle. Control is delegated to "it": the all-embracing crystalline point in yourself, in another, and in others.

Autocracy (one person's fiat)

The individual or small group as a principle. Control of the Leader, the superiority of the aristocratic class or the expert.

Democracy (majority vote)

The majority principle. Rule by the greater number, the inclusive representative, the most numbers, etc.

Consensus (general agreement of everyone)

Sociocracy

The consent principle. The power of arguement that individuals and groups relate to each other (with the possibility of including "outside information").

Here are some pros and cons of some of those.

Autocracy
+ -
-efficient
-fast
-clear bottom line 		-ignores other's needs
-can be irrational
-no explicit tie between leaders and doers
Democracy
+ -
-more voices heard
-can be irrational
-pleases many
-fairly expeditious 		-veneer of equality
-minority squashed
-bi-polar
-dumbs down decisions
-high emotion around decisions
Consensus
+ -
-thorough
-inclusive
-allows creativity
-educates
-considerate 		-slow
-can dumb down decisions
-blocking power can be abused
-requires facilitation
-can dissolve to compromise
-needs people to be educated
-exhausting
-devolves to who has staying power
-high level of emotion-
Consent
+ -
-helps people articulated objection
-group helps draw out reasoned arguments
-decisions made only after no objection
-Non-human elements can be included
-faster than consensus
-silence not an acceptable response
-efficient 		-slow
-requires shared aim
-requires education and facilitation
-stake in issue needed
-requires frankness

Home Why use sociocracy? About Sociocracy The Four Main Principles
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Circle Processes Vision, Mission, Aim
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Twin Oaks homepage (where i used to live!) This page was last updated June 1st, 2002 by webmaster Ted.