Sociocracy
The Sociocratic Circle-organization Method ('Sociocracy'), is a method of decision-making that produces dynamic organization and governance based on equivalence by means of the consent principle. By ensuring the equivalence of all individuals, sociocracy allows us to give and receive effective leadership while keeping personal relationships intact.
Why Sociocracy?
Sociocracy is a model of governance and organization that helps us to improve the quality of our lives, businesses, communities and society.
Basics of Sociocracy
Sociocracy vests the power to rule in the people who regularly interact with one another and have a common aim ('socios'). Each member of the ‘socios’ is believed to have a voice that cannot be ignored in the managing of the organization. In contrast, democracy vests the power to rule in the ‘demos’, that is, a collection of people who may or may not know each other and who have only aims in common –such as the right running of a country. In an autocratically structured organization the power to rule is vested in a single person or small group. That person or group can choose to ignore the rest of the organization in making decisions.
The sociocratic structure is built with four basic rules that let everyone who is part of the organization make policy on an equivalent basis. People gather in circle meetings to make policy decisions but revert to their normal mode of operation once the decisions are made.
1. Consent
The principle of consent governs decision making (Consent means: ‘No reasoned and paramount objection.) This means that a decision has been made when no one has any reasoned and paramount objection to it. Consent is different from consensus. Consensus asks for agreement, a ‘yes’, consent asks for a ‘no reasoned and paramount objection’, looking for people’s limits and tolerances.
2. Circles
The sociocratic circle organization consists of circles, or semi-autonomous groups. Each circle has its own aim and performs the three functions of directing, operating and measuring/feedback and maintains its own memory system by means of integral education. Making decisions that determine policy takes place within a sociocratic circle.
3. Double Linking
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 functional leader and one or more elected representatives.
4. Elections
Persons are elected to positions exclusively by consent, after open discussion. This eliminates the secrecy usually associated with election and selection processes and helps to cultivate an environment and a culture based on open communication.
When implemented, these rules ensure that no one in the organization is ignored. Both individuals and groups are accountable to the shared aim, which fosters creativity and innovation in an atmosphere of mutual respect.