Re: [ga] Consensus

["L Gallegos" <jandl@jandl.com>]

And that's the point, I think.  How can one arrive at or determine 
consensus when it is not even defined as a process?  Define 
"general agreement."  It still boils down to majority rule.  

So, if there are 50 participating members in a discussion and 26 of 
them agree on an item, is that consensus?  Who determines the 
number?  If the 26 determine it's enough to go for a vote and 200 
people vote with a majority deciding the issue, was there 
consensus?

We have no guidelines for determining consensus which is why we 
are paralyzed.  If a member of this list brings up a topic, it should 
be discussed.  If there are a number of participants who determine 
it is a viable topic and needs a determination, it should then, 
perhaps have a straw poll to see if there is enough interest to take 
it further and write a motion...

Whatever is done, it must be defined.

Leah


On 24 Jun 2001, at 17:33, William S. Lovell wrote:

> Even the dictionary (i.e., my WordWeb) has differing views:
> 
>  1) Agreement of the majority in sentiment or belief;
>  2) General agreement
> 
> Maybe it's like pornography: one can't define it, but one knows it
> when one sees it.
> 
> Bill Lovell
> 
> L Gallegos wrote:
> 
> > Please point out the document defining consensus for the GA.  If a
> > vote is not determined by a majority, what is the criteria?
> >
> > On 24 Jun 2001, at 16:36, William X. Walsh wrote:
> >
> > > Hello Sotiris,
> > >
> > > Sunday, June 24, 2001, 3:10:30 PM, Sotiris Sotiropoulos wrote:
> > >
> > > > Consensus is anything we agree is important enough to engage in
> > > > discussing among ourselves.
> > >
> > > No, that is not what consensus is.  Consensus is something that is
> > > agreed on quite widely in the GA (not just by a simple majority).
> > >
> > > > After all, if we accept the principles of
> > > > free speech, it is possible to have dissenting and differing opinions,
> > >
> > > Yes, but that does not define consensus.
> > >
> > > > and yet still engage in fruitful dialogue.  Discussion can lead to a
> > > > better or more thorough understanding of all issues involved in a given
> > > > matter, hence a better prepared voting assembly.  Topics are reached by
> > > > consensus and ongoing education.   Decisions are made by votes.
> > >
> > > No, decisions are reached by consensus.  Consensus can be determined
> > > by the discussion and debate on the list, and a vote is merely to
> > > confirm it and document it.
> > >
> > > --
> > > Best regards,
> > > William X Walsh <william@userfriendly.com>
> > > Userfriendly.com Domains
> > > The most advanced domain lookup tool on the net
> > > DNS Services from $1.65/mo
> > >
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