The subtitle of We The People: Consenting to a Deeper Democracy gets right to the heart of many issues we are facing in this world. Uprisings in the Middle East are indicative of a world ready to move beyond dictatorial political control, and the uprisings in the Midwest are indicative of a world that is also ready to move beyond corporate control.
We live with an ideology and an illusion of freedom in North America, but the reality of representative government that is highly influenced by the money of big business is far from freedom or democracy. The reality is that We The People are mostly pawns, our mouths shut, satisfied with the crumbs from the table of those who pull the strings. The left and the right keep the smokescreen intact as they fight over petty issues that only obscure reality.
But it seems that a renewed desire for freedom is in the air. People are waking up throughout the world and are realizing the Emperor has no clothes. At first it is frightening and disillusioning – there is grieving on all sides as people come to realize the loss from trusting a system that is driven by money and power. But, as in all grieving, acceptance and peace follow anger and denial. From there, rebuilding on a new foundation is possible – but only if we learn to trust and cooperate.
I have spent most of my life exploring collaborative ways to live and work together, along with the tools to help make that happen. In my opinion, the consent based decision making of sociocracy (or dynamic governance) is a foundational piece to make true democracy a reality. Rather than the the control of the powerful or wealthy, sociocracy puts the rule in the hands of the “socio” – those who have a social relationship with one another. It is grass roots decentralization on one hand but also allows for large and complex organizations to empower the voices of all.
In consent based decision making, everyone effected by a decision consents to moving forward. It is a process that uses objections as a tool for crafting creative solutions. The decision making structure is organized with double linking circles to build consent both from the top down and the bottom up. It is a tool for effective organization, efficient decision making, and empowered leadership on every level. It is truly a tool for building a “dynamic governance” of deeper democracy – and can be incorporated in any home, business, or organization where people are the priority.
To learn more, read Creative-Forces-of-Self-Organization by John Buck.