Blog # 8

Preconditions necessary for using consensus decision-making are knowing the people with whom you are making the decision. It also involves loving them and respecting them. Making decisions together like this can either build or break community. Consensus decision making is all about the process and not just about the results. The concept of the end justifies the means does not apply with consensus decision making. In Western culture, there is such a great emphasis on “individual rights” that we tend to forget about the good of the community. Consensus decision-making is inclusive and is about working as a whole unit. It is non-hierarchal and takes into consideration everyone’s opinions. Although sometimes decisions made does not meet everyone’s expectations, it satisfies everyone well enough for the good of the group. The objective of consensus is that everyone partakes in and agrees with the decision, although not everyone is going to be in “absolute, total alignment”. Consensus is a feminine form of decision-making. It involves loving and respecting each other. It is also an answer to the concept of bioregionalism, in which we as human beings have lost our place on this earth in chaos and therefore must answer our need of survival. The only way to answer this need is through consensus and working together.