Consensus-seeking decision-making
Encyclopedia
Consensus-seeking decision-making (also known as consensus/voting hybrid decision-making) is a term sometimes used to describe a formal decision process similar to the consensus decision-making
variant known as Formal Consensus but with the additional option of a fallback voting procedure if consensus appears unattainable during the consensus-seeking phase of the deliberations.
Ideally the fallback voting option is only exercised after all reasonable attempts to address concerns have been exhausted, although in practice this might be constrained by time limits imposed on the deliberations. When consensus is deemed to be unattainable, either the "presenter" of a proposal or the "facilitator" of the deliberations is empowered to choose the closing option of a fallback vote. Other possible closing options may include "refer to committee", "test for stand-asides", and "withdraw the proposal".
The fallback voting procedure is sometimes characterized by a relatively high vote required for approval, such as 80%, with the idea that this approximates decision by consensus. However, there is controversy over whether this feature of the process truly approximates decision by consensus or subverts it by encouraging minoritarianism
.
Consensus-based groups adopting fallback voting processes often do so in order to facilitate timely decision-making. However, there is controversy over whether any voting option (or the underlying time constraints) undermines the ability of a consensus process to effectively resolve minority concerns.
Many Green Party organizations have adopted consensus-seeking decision-making processes.
Consensus decision-making
Consensus decision-making is a group decision making process that seeks the consent, not necessarily the agreement, of participants and the resolution of objections. Consensus is defined by Merriam-Webster as, first, general agreement, and second, group solidarity of belief or sentiment. It has its...
variant known as Formal Consensus but with the additional option of a fallback voting procedure if consensus appears unattainable during the consensus-seeking phase of the deliberations.
Ideally the fallback voting option is only exercised after all reasonable attempts to address concerns have been exhausted, although in practice this might be constrained by time limits imposed on the deliberations. When consensus is deemed to be unattainable, either the "presenter" of a proposal or the "facilitator" of the deliberations is empowered to choose the closing option of a fallback vote. Other possible closing options may include "refer to committee", "test for stand-asides", and "withdraw the proposal".
The fallback voting procedure is sometimes characterized by a relatively high vote required for approval, such as 80%, with the idea that this approximates decision by consensus. However, there is controversy over whether this feature of the process truly approximates decision by consensus or subverts it by encouraging minoritarianism
Minoritarianism
Minoritarianism is a neologism for a political structure or process in which a minority segment of a population has a certain degree of primacy in that entity's decision making....
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Consensus-based groups adopting fallback voting processes often do so in order to facilitate timely decision-making. However, there is controversy over whether any voting option (or the underlying time constraints) undermines the ability of a consensus process to effectively resolve minority concerns.
Many Green Party organizations have adopted consensus-seeking decision-making processes.