Sociocracy

Sociocracy vests the power to rule in the “socios,” that is, in the people who regularly interact with one another and have a common aim.

Each member has a voice that cannot be ignored in the managing of the organization.

It is based on four key concepts that let everyone participate in decisions on an equivalent basis:

1. Consent — A policy decision can only be made if nobody has a reasoned and paramount objection to it.

2. Elections — Persons are elected exclusively by consent, after open discussion.

3. Circles — The organization consists of circles of semi-autonomous groups of individuals. Each circle has its own aim and performs the three functions of leading, doing, and measuring/feedback. A circle makes its own policy decisions and maintains its own memory system through integral evolution.

4. Double Link — The connection between two circles consists of a double link. This means that at least two persons from one circle participate in the decision-making in the next higher circle: the circle’s leader and one or more elected representatives.

Additional agreements besides the four main principles:

• No secrets should be kept.
• Everything is open to discussion.
• Everyone has a right to be part of a decision that affects them.
• Every decision may be reexamined at any time.

To review:

• Sociocracy: Democracy as it might be
• Sociocracy: Rules of Engagement
• How sociocracy works
• About sociocracy
• Sociocracy.info
• Sociocracy Wikipedia page