Cohousing-L Mailing List: Consensus vs Majority Voting

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

Certainly it is better for a group to function without fear of anything,
particularly decision processes. But going to a majority vote creates a
dissatisfied minority. Once that is done, the group will not only have a
much more difficult time coming to any decision, but will have made group
decision making itself pointless. There will be no group -- certainly not a
community of people who feel they are equal members.

A majority vote says I don't care what "you" think, "we" don't have to pay
attention to you. When a group reaches this point the disagreeing membersare
disenfranchised and will live on the margins of the group with their
discontent or leave. There may be times when this has to happen and some
need to leave the group, but not over a fence decision (one hopes).

"Forced cooperation" is an oxymoron, however hot the desire burns in the
hearts of frustrated cohousers everywhere. If a person is perceived by the
group as being "controlling" rather than functioning in the best interests
of the group, then that is the subject -- not the subject of the decision.

To continue to discuss the best type of fence when the real issue is that
some members of the group feel that X "lost" the last two votes and now
wants to "win" one, is counter productive. The sub-issues will have to be
discussed first. 

Sharon
-- 
Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org





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