Applying the principles and practices of sociocratic democracy in civic life is where it may be most comfortable. Democracy is probably valued even when not practiced very well. Majority vote means majority rule, and it promotes competition rather than cooperation. It is in our neighborhood associations, community services, and local governments that we most need to use the sociocratic principles and practices that deepen our democracy.
This post is not intended to discourage voting. It only addresses the fact that our votes are not as powerful as they are often portrayed by political parties.
The peer-to-peer election process is not about voting. It is designed to identify the best available person to do the job. Those with the most reliable information about the job and about the people qualified to do it are responsible for nominating and electing the best person.… Read More . . . “Is Voting Meaningless?”
The purpose of leadership and decision-making structures in sociocracy is to build the maximum power for everyone. And to balance that power with harmony and fairness. It is the responsibility of each person in a sociocratic organization to develop their own power and to use it to optimize the work of the organization.
In physics, power is the rate at which work is performed or energy converted.
As people, we have personal power, the ability… Read More . . . “What Is Power?”
Power over is not always about forcing, coercing, pressuring, manipulating etc. It can be as engaging as power with. In terms lazy subordination and undeveloped personal power, power over can be an engaged relationship between the autocrat and the subordinate. Some people want to be dominated and to do so is engaging them, even if it is codependence. With the possible exception of physical force, as in terrorists on a plane, power over is a… Read More . . . “Positive Power Over”
It is absolutely right that pedestrians are as irresponsible as drivers are and that the difficulties of getting laws changed are gargantuan and that groups have been working for years to get the police to enforce stops before making right turns on red. That’s the big picture and understanding the big picture is important. I’m a big picture person if there ever was one. I always want to understand the big picture, but action starts… Read More . . . “Freedom in the Crosswalks”
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The sociocracy email discussion list was started in 2002. The list language is English, but members speak many languages if you have translation questions. We discuss anything related to sociocracy, democracy, and collaborative governance.
This site is a resource on sociocracy and democracy and the ways they support each other. It examines the principles and practices and the ways in which together they could better achieve their objectives. How would things get done in a sociocratic democracy?
This post is not intended to discourage voting. It only addresses the fact that our votes are not as powerful as they are often portrayed by political parties.
The peer-to-peer election process is not about voting. It is designed to identify the best available person to do the job. Those with the most reliable information about the job and about the people qualified to do it are responsible for nominating and electing the best person.… Read More . . . “Is Voting Meaningless?”