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We the People: Consenting to a Deeper Democracy
The United States Declaration of Independence asserts that all human beings are created equally and endowed with the unquestionable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In practice, however, these rights exist only for the majority, the rich, or property owners. We the People explains how sociocracy ensures these rights to everyone. It is built on the same values as democracy, but designs more inclusive and efficient organizations. It makes profit-making businesses more profitable, and non-profit organizations more effective. And everyone happier.
347 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 8, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 16, 2020
A book on sociocracy, a governance method, the 2017 edition (there is a 2007 one).
The book has three different parts. In the first part sociocracy is introduced: its origins and intentions, the basic structures and processes. The second part is a "How to" for applying the method. And the third part is a collection of interesting appendixes, with enough entity to be considered a part.
I've liked reading it. Good stories and an optimistic energy.
I haven't liked that the Kindle edition cannot be read from a Kindle device because the format is Print Replica.
The book has three different parts. In the first part sociocracy is introduced: its origins and intentions, the basic structures and processes. The second part is a "How to" for applying the method. And the third part is a collection of interesting appendixes, with enough entity to be considered a part.
I've liked reading it. Good stories and an optimistic energy.
I haven't liked that the Kindle edition cannot be read from a Kindle device because the format is Print Replica.
August 28, 2021
I think this is a good book for everyone interested in participatory decision making. The book links sociocratic processes adopted in sociocracy with many theories, including systems thinking, which I really liked. I missed some more references of examples where sociocracy has been adopted with success. Because the book is very explanatory of sociocratic processes it becomes difficult to read. However, this is certainly very useful for people trying to implement sociocracy in their organizations!
April 7, 2020
(First, I am the co-author. Transparency is one of the principles of the method.)
This book is the second edition of a method of organization that can be used by you and an individual and by a group of people to organize their work together. It is a cooperative and collaborative method based on consent decision making. That means each member of the organization needs to have no objections to a proposed action. For example, if your condo wants to plant a tree outside your window, you have the right to object because it blocks the light to your window, and the right to help work out better solutions. Perhaps a shorter plant or placement of the tree a few feet north of your window.
It isn't about vetoing decisions. It's about working out solutions that (1) accomplish the goal and (2) allow everyone to live with the result. "Live with" means everyone can continue to live comfortably and work well with the result—it's okay for everyone concerned. There are no residual bad feelings or inability to do your own work. The kitchen is still a sun-lit room and the landscaping team has a balanced landscape and a planting that absorbes rainwater and stabilizes the soil.
Millions of organizations use this method to develop a system in which decisions help the organization accomplish its goals more effectively in a way that creates a harmonious environment for all its members.
It includes the history, the processes in nature on which it is based, the reasons and results for each of its elements, and a how-to section for applying the principles.
It's written to be read by those who have little technical knowledge while it explains many of the principles on which successful natural systems operate. How forests maintain the balance of growth and decay to keep plants flourishing and the helping insect and animal population healthy. The method is both very simple and as complex as the organization needs.
The first edition was published in 2007 and this enlarged, completely revised edition in 2017.
This book is the second edition of a method of organization that can be used by you and an individual and by a group of people to organize their work together. It is a cooperative and collaborative method based on consent decision making. That means each member of the organization needs to have no objections to a proposed action. For example, if your condo wants to plant a tree outside your window, you have the right to object because it blocks the light to your window, and the right to help work out better solutions. Perhaps a shorter plant or placement of the tree a few feet north of your window.
It isn't about vetoing decisions. It's about working out solutions that (1) accomplish the goal and (2) allow everyone to live with the result. "Live with" means everyone can continue to live comfortably and work well with the result—it's okay for everyone concerned. There are no residual bad feelings or inability to do your own work. The kitchen is still a sun-lit room and the landscaping team has a balanced landscape and a planting that absorbes rainwater and stabilizes the soil.
Millions of organizations use this method to develop a system in which decisions help the organization accomplish its goals more effectively in a way that creates a harmonious environment for all its members.
It includes the history, the processes in nature on which it is based, the reasons and results for each of its elements, and a how-to section for applying the principles.
It's written to be read by those who have little technical knowledge while it explains many of the principles on which successful natural systems operate. How forests maintain the balance of growth and decay to keep plants flourishing and the helping insect and animal population healthy. The method is both very simple and as complex as the organization needs.
The first edition was published in 2007 and this enlarged, completely revised edition in 2017.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews