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--- c:consensus [2026/02/23 13:19] – [Commentary] Simon Grant
+++ c:consensus [2026/03/26 18:58] (current) – Katja Durrani
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 //(one of the [[c:start|concepts]] in our Knowledge Commons//)
-# Consensus
+====== Consensus ======
-Commons are, by definition, self-governing, and the governance of a commons often requires decisions to be made. Usually, the decision-making process will be aimed at some kind of consensus. However, there is divided opinion about the meaning of that term. Originally the term "consensus" had a rather vague meaning. Different people have interpreted it either to mean "general consensus" or something more like unanimity — i.e., everyone is in agreement.
+Commons are, by definition, self-governing, and the governance of a commons often requires decisions to be made. Usually, the decision-making process will be aimed at some kind of consensus. However, there is divided opinion about the meaning of that term. Originally the term "consensus" had a rather vague meaning. Different people have interpreted it either to mean "general consensus" or something more like unanimity — i.e., everyone is in agreement.
 One can argue that defining "consensus" by itself, separately from process, is mistaken, and the Wikipedia article is helpful on [[wp>Consensus decision-making]].
-Official standards bodies like ISO offer [[https://www.iso.org/files/live/sites/isoorg/files/store/en/PUB100269.pdf|documentation]] around consensus. ISO have for decades offered a definition, since 1996 or earlier:
+Official standards bodies like ISO offer [[https://www.iso.org/files/live/sites/isoorg/files/store/en/PUB100269.pdf|guidance documentation]] around consensus. ISO have for decades offered a definition, since 1996 or earlier:
-“**consensus:** General agreement, characterized by the absence of sustained opposition to substantial issues by any important part of the concerned interests and by a process that involves seeking to take into account the views of all parties concerned and to reconcile any conflicting arguments.\\  NOTE Consensus need not imply unanimity.”
+"**consensus:** General agreement, characterized by the absence of sustained opposition to substantial issues by any important part of the concerned interests and by a process that involves seeking to take into account the views of all parties concerned and to reconcile any conflicting arguments.\\  NOTE Consensus need not imply unanimity."
-## Related concepts, topics and links
+On the other side, an article by Ted Rau says, describing what Sociocracy calls [[https://www.sociocracyforall.org/consent-decision-making/|Consent decision making]]:
-  - We have a topic on [[soci:Sociocracy]]. They use the term "consensus" (pejoratively) to mean more like unanimity; and "consent" for essentially the same concept as "consensus" here.
+"You can think of consent as a version of consensus.
-## Commentary
+But instead of asking everyone, "Do you agree?", we ask, "Do you object?" If no one objects, there is consent".
-Back in 2008, one involved individual gave his opinion about [[https://lehors.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/what-consensus-means/|what consensus means]].
+Clearly, people can choose the term that they want, to signify this concept.
-[[https://www.oxebridge.com/emma/isos-orwellian-definition-of-consensus-should-scare-the-pants-off-of-you/|This article]] illustrates some of the division of opinion around the concept.
+===== Related concepts, topics and links =====
+  - We have a topic on [[soci:Sociocracy]].
+===== Commentary =====
+  - Back in 2008, one involved individual gave his opinion about [[https://lehors.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/what-consensus-means/|what consensus means]].
+  - [[https://www.oxebridge.com/emma/isos-orwellian-definition-of-consensus-should-scare-the-pants-off-of-you/|This article]] points out some dangers in the use of the ISO definition, and related process.
+===== Questions arising =====
-## Questions arising