[statecom-discuss] Re: consensus

[Gracegrnrnbw at aol.com]

This would be the most central reason we use consensus - I guess I assume 
that if I want to bring a new society based on different values that represent a 
paradigm shift that I am going to have to learn new ways of doing things, be 
willing to be in constant dialogue with others about things I need to change 
about myself to move closer to living in accordance with that new paradigm and 
be compassionate and patient with myself and others as we grow in that 
direction.

I find myself quoting over and over again that saying "People try 
non-violence for a week and when it does not work, they go back to using violence which 
hasn't worked for centuries."   The same could be said for consensus.   And I 
think if you read this entire thread, Ron agrees that consensus worked fine 
when he was co-chair - it was meeting content that needed to be improved - and I 
would say facilitation.

Here is a url for getting the book: Building United Judgement
store.ic.org/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=56 - 39k

It's the best piece in book form that I know of that explains philosophy 
behind consensus since my descriptions are insufficient.   If you prefer to read, 
get this.   If you, like me, prefer an interactive learning process, let me 
know - maybe we can set up a workshop for anyone who actually wants to explore 
and learn what we do as a party - Thanks, Grace

In a message dated 6/3/07 11:20:52 PM, yen.yarden at verizon.net writes:


> Grassroots Democracy
>                All human beings should have a say in the decisions that 
> affect their lives; no one should be subject to the will of another.  
> We work to improve public participation at every level of government, 
> and seek to ensure that our public representatives are fully 
> accountable to the people who elect them.  We will also work to create 
> new kinds of political organization that expand the process of 
> participatory democracy by directly including citizens in the 
> decision-making process.  
> 




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