Sociocracy 
The Four Main Principles
HOW SOCIOCRACY WORKS
The sociocratic method is a way of giving form to our lives and society. The sociocratic method is an "empty" (or "generalized") method. That is, it can be applied to every kind of organization. The sociocratic method starts from the concept that people are unequal, unique persons who should be equivalent by decision-making.
The Dutch businessman who developed sociocracy, Gerard Endenburg, has been striving to create a system that maintains equivalence" between participating members. He come up with these
FOUR MAIN PRINCIPLES
used to form a sociocratic organization:
Governance by Consent
Circle Organization
Double Linking and
Elections by Consent.
Governance by Consent
The consent principle says that a decision can only be made when none of the circle members present has a reasoned, substantial objection to making the decision.
The consent principle is different than "consensus" and "veto." With consensus the participants must be "for" the decision. With consent decision-making they must be not against. With consensus a veto blocks the decision without an argument. With consent decision making, opposition must always be supported with an argument.
Every decision doesn't require consent, but consent must exist concerning an agreement to make decisions regularly through another method. Thus, many decisions are not made by consent. Rather, with consent, persons or groups are given the authority to make independent decisions. Consent can also be used with non-human elements.
Circle Organization
The organization arranges for a decision making structure, built from mutually
double-linked circles, in which consent governs. This decision-making structure
includes all members of the organization. Each circle has its own aim, performs
the three functions of directing, operating and measuring
(feedback), and maintains its own memory system by means of integral education.
A good way to evaluate how well a circle is functioning is to use 9-block
charting.
Every circle formulates its own vision, "mission statement"
and aim/objective (which must fit in with the vision, mission and aim of
the organization as a whole and with the vision, mission and aim of all the
other circles in the organization).
Double-Linking
Coupling a circle with the next higher circle is handled through a double link. That is, at least two persons, the supervisor of the circle and at least one representative of the circle, belong to the next higher circle.
Choosing people for functions and/or responsibilities is done by consent after an open discussion. The discussion is very important because it uncovers pertinent information about the members of the circle.
Some agreements he has come up with besides the four main principles are:
No secrets may be kept
Everything is open to discussion – limits of an exec's power, policy decisions, personnel decisions, investment policy, profit distribution, all rules….
Everyone has a right to be part of a decision that affects them.
Every decision may be reexamined at any time
Another important element that is not one of the four basic principles is
that sociocratic organizations are connected to outside organizations by external
double links. Also the top circle has outside "experts" as members. These
experts sometimes come from other circles within the organization.
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This page was last updated June 1st,, 2002 by webmaster Ted.