[Platform] [statecom] appropriate and inappropriate uses of the consensus process

[Gracegrnrnbw at aol.com]

Larry - this belongs on the discussion list of procedures about consensus - 
as agreed to in the statecom proposal passed last November - there we can 
appropriately address these concerns - thousands of activists have experience which 
refutes these arguments - but I am requesting that we respect our own 
decisions and not clutter these lists no matter how important the topic - 
Thanks, Grace
In a message dated 6/23/08 10:08:40 AM, tetrahedrons at crocker.com writes:


> GRP,
> 
> The following points from Wikilpedia about the inappropriate uses of the
> consensus process are worth thinking about given the current makeup of
> StateCom.  I, for one, see a lot of sleepwalking behavior in our group
> dynamics - we say we are this and that, we hold up the 10 KV that describe
> a cohesive band of trusting warriors against the barbarians at the gates,
> but how we really function belies what we say and hold about
> ourselves.  Frankly, using the consensus process given the current state of
> our human material is bound to fail.
> 
> Larry
> 
> 
> Critics of consensus decision-making often observe that the process, while
> potentially effective for small groups of motivated or trained individuals
> with a sufficiently high degree of
> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affinity_%28sociology%29>affinity, has a
> number of possible shortcomings, notably:
>     * Preservation of the Status quo: In decision-making bodies that use
> formal consensus, the ability of individuals or small minorities to block
> agreement gives an enormous advantage to anyone who supports the existing
> state of affairs. This can mean that a specific state of affairs can
> continue to exist in an organization long after a majority of members would
> like it to change.
> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consensus_decision-making#cite_note-17>[18]
>     * Susceptibility to disruption: Giving the right to block proposals to
> all group members may result in the group becoming hostage to an inflexible
> minority or individual. Furthermore, "opposing such obstructive behavior
> [can be] construed as an attack on freedom of speech and in turn [harden]
> resolve on the part of the individual to defend his or her
> position."<
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consensus_decision-making#cite_note-18>[19]
> As a result, consensus decision-making has the potential to reward the
> least accommodating group members while punishing the most accommodating.
>     * <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abilene_paradox>Abilene paradox:
> Consensus decision-making is susceptible to all forms of
> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groupthink>groupthink, the most dramatic
> being the <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abilene_paradox>Abilene paradox. In
> the Abilene paradox, a group can unanimously agree on a course of action
> that no individual member of the group desires because no one individual is
> willing to go against the perceived will of the decision-making
> body.<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consensus_decision-making#cite_note-19>
> [20]
> On the other hand, consensuses specifically asking for, and wanting to
> hear, unresolved concerns and reservations, tend to diminish this
> effect.<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consensus_decision-making#cite_note-20>
> [21]
> 
>     * Time Consuming: Since consensus decision-making focuses on discussion
> and seeks the input of all participants, it can be a time-consuming
> process. This is a potential liability in situations where decisions need
> to be made speedily or where it is not possible to canvass the opinions of
> all delegates in a reasonable period of time. Additionally, the time
> commitment required to engage in the consensus decision-making process can
> sometimes act as a barrier to participation for individuals unable or
> unwilling to make the
> commitment.<
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consensus_decision-making#cite_note-21>[22]
> 
> ="
> 
> 
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> 
> 




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