Non-hierarchical (horizontal) decision-making - Revision history

Ayo901 at 19:56, 13 November 2024

2024-11-13T19:56:57Z

Ayo901 at 19:41, 13 November 2024

2024-11-13T19:41:58Z

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	\| <span style="">Equalize speaking opportunities in meetings (table turns, speaking turns, etc.).</span><p><br></p>		\| <span style="">Equalize speaking opportunities in meetings (table turns, speaking turns, etc.).</span><p><br></p>
	*<span style="">A person responsible for feeling or a person responsible for speaking turns can take this role.</span>		*<span style="">A person responsible for feeling or a person responsible for speaking turns can take this role.</span>
	*<span style="">Some small groups choose to use the finger system to self-manage when speaking: each person raises the corresponding finger in turn. </span><span style="">If a person has one finger raised, they raise two fingers ~~and when~~ the person before them begins to speak, they raise one finger to signify that they will take the next turn to speak. </span><span style="">Some groups use ~~this~~ system by keeping their palm up, a concept related to children's philosophy which signifies openness and non-hostility.</span>		*<span style="">Some small groups choose to use the finger system to self-manage when speaking: each person raises the corresponding finger in turn. </span><span style="">If a person has one finger raised, they raise two fingers. When the person before them begins to speak, they raise one finger to signify that they will take the next turn to speak. </span>
			*<span style="">Some groups use a similar system of keeping their palm up, a concept related to children's philosophy which signifies openness and non-hostility.</span>
	<p><span style="">On the role of guarding feelings: [[How can we incorporate space watchers and holders into our groups without veering into policing?]]</span></p>		<p><span style="">On the role of guarding feelings: [[How can we incorporate space watchers and holders into our groups without veering into policing?]]</span></p>
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Ayo901 at 19:33, 13 November 2024

2024-11-13T19:33:59Z

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	<p>This page was created to answer questions from activists interested in making group decisions in a more non-hierarchical way.</p>		<p>This page was created to answer questions from activists interested in making group decisions in a more non-hierarchical way.</p>
	<p><br>Listening, healthy conflict, reflexivity and flexibility are guides to making decisions that value the contribution of multiple perspectives. Continuing to commit to conflict management, non-violent communication, anti-oppression, restorative justice and group leadership make it possible to pratice a culture which tends towards non-hierarchy.</p>		<p><br>Listening, healthy conflict, reflexivity and flexibility are guides to making decisions that value the contribution of multiple perspectives. Continuing to commit to conflict management, non-violent communication, anti-oppression, restorative justice and group leadership make it possible to pratice a culture which tends towards non-hierarchy.</p>
	<p><br>This page discusses how hierarchies fit into our groups' decision-making and how to address them in a way that suits our group's intentions.		<p><br>This page discusses how hierarchies fit into our groups' decision-making and how to address them in a way that suits our group's intentions.</p>

	~~</p>~~

			<span style="background-color: rgb(209, 241, 238);">The passages highlighted in this colour are insights shared during our learning circle on this topic.</span>
	<span style="background-color: rgb(209, 241, 238);">The passages highlighted in this colour are ~~knowledge~~ shared during our learning circle on this topic.</span>
	<span style="background-color: rgb(209, 241, 238);"></span>		<span style="background-color: rgb(209, 241, 238);"></span>
	= Impacts of structure on non-hierarchical decision making =		= Impacts of structure on non-hierarchical decision-making =
	<p><span style="">The </span>'''<span style="">structure</span>'''<span style=""> is the first space that can influence the hierarchy at the decision-making level.</span></p>		<p><span style="">The </span>'''<span style="">structure</span>'''<span style=""> is the first space that can influence the hierarchy at the decision-making level.</span></p>
	<p><br><span style="">A group can have a hierarchy in its structure with the consent of the members of the group, such as a standing committee, a steering committee, etc. </span><span style="">We can still want these groups with more power (standing committee, steering committee) to have horizontal internal practices.</span></p>		<p><br><span style="">A group can have a hierarchy in its structure with the consent of the members of the group, such as a standing committee, a steering committee, etc. </span><span style="">We can still want these groups with more power (standing committee, steering committee) to have horizontal internal practices.</span></p>
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	\|}		\|}

	= Horizontal decision making =		= Horizontal decision-making =
	<p><span style="">Horizontal decision-making is linked to egalitarian interpersonal relationships through shared decision-making between individuals in the same group. </span><span style="">We make ~~a decision~~ together and people have equal power in decision-making.</span></p><p><span style="">This way of making decisions is not self-evident. </span><span style="">Many people have negative experiences related to group decision making. </span><span style="">Here's one.</span></p>		<p><span style="">Horizontal decision-making is linked to egalitarian interpersonal relationships through shared decision-making between individuals in the same group. </span><span style="">We make decisions together and people have equal power in decision-making.</span></p><p><span style="">This way of making decisions is not self-evident. </span><span style="">Many people have negative experiences related to group decision-making. </span><span style="">Here's one.</span></p>
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	\|-		\|-
	\| <p>'''<span style="">Incomprehensible and complex mechanisms, no integration of new people.  </span>'''<span style="">“ </span>''<span style="">he first time I attended a meeting, I was disconcerted by the presence of points of order or privileges, without really understanding why people were given priority to speak before others. </span><span style="">After a while, I thought I understood what points of order were, which can be used when someone breaks a rule. </span><span style="">But I didn't understand what rules were being broken, the language of the ordering and questioning procedures seemed strange to me, especially since English is not my native language."</span>''<span style="">  <ref>https://cosmonautmag.com/2021/08/the-procedural-is-political/</ref> </span><sup class="reference"></sup></p><p><span style="">Faced with this type of relationship to decision-making, a new person can either learn the rules, debate them or leave the group with a bad impression of it and the decision-making mechanisms.</span></p>		\| <p>'''<span style="">Incomprehensible and complex mechanisms, no integration of new people.  </span>'''<span style="">“</span>''<span style="">The first time I attended a meeting, I was disconcerted by the presence of points of order or privileges, without really understanding why people were given priority to speak before others. </span><span style="">After a while, I thought I understood what points of order were, which can be used when someone breaks a rule. </span><span style="">But I didn't understand what rules were being broken, the language of the ordering and questioning procedures seemed strange to me, especially since English is not my native language."</span>''<span style="">  <ref>https://cosmonautmag.com/2021/08/the-procedural-is-political/</ref> </span><sup class="reference"></sup></p><p><span style="">Faced with this type of relationship to decision-making, a new person can either learn the rules, debate them, or leave the group with a bad impression of it and the decision-making mechanisms.</span></p>
	\|}		\|}
	<p><br></p><p><span style="">The thesis [https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/91432 InterTwinkles: Online Tools for Non-Hierarchical, Consensus-Oriented Decision Making] "</span><span style="">establishes 4 factors influencing the participation of people in decision-making. </span><span style="">Participation and power in decision-making are linked: the more a person is able to actively participate in decision-making, the more power they have in it."</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="">When we want the members of a group to be able to participate (and have power) in decision-making, we must take into account:</span></p><p><br><span style="">1- Accessibility</span></p><p><span style="">2- Rules and protocols</span></p><p><span style="">3- Exclusive notions</span></p><p><span style="">4- Systemic/structural inequalities</span></p>		<p><br></p><p><span style="">The thesis [https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/91432 InterTwinkles: Online Tools for Non-Hierarchical, Consensus-Oriented Decision Making] "</span><span style="">establishes 4 factors influencing the participation of people in decision-making. </span><span style="">Participation and power in decision-making are linked: the more a person is able to actively participate in decision-making, the more power they have in it."</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="">When we want the members of a group to be able to participate (and have power) in decision-making, we must take into account:</span></p><p><br><span style="">1- Accessibility</span></p><p><span style="">2- Rules and protocols</span></p><p><span style="">3- Exclusive notions</span></p><p><span style="">4- Systemic/structural inequalities</span></p>
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	\|- style="height: 30px;"		\|- style="height: 30px;"
	\| style="width: 11.3958%; height: 30px; background-color: #99e1d9;" \| '''Initial ~~measurements~~'''		\| style="width: 11.3958%; height: 30px; background-color: #99e1d9;" \| '''Initial measures'''
	\| style="width: 55.2708%; height: 30px;" \|		\| style="width: 55.2708%; height: 30px;" \|

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	== Rules and protocols ==		== Rules and protocols ==
	<p><span style="">Rules </span>and protocols<span style=""> are the rules of groups ~~and social codes~~ related to participation in decision-making.</span></p><p><br><span style="">Certain rules and protocols make it possible to overcome the power dynamics present in society. </span><span style="">Let's think about the dominant classes who enjoy enormous power over the rest of society, power which is not counterbalanced by the electoral model. </span><span style="">Or the power given to men through patriarchy and/or white privilege.</span></p><p><span style="">Other rules and protocols have the effect of reinforcing ~~the~~ power dynamics of society. </span><span style="">In both cases, they influence participation in decision-making.</span></p><p><br><span style="">Rules and protocols sometimes create unwanted power dynamics. </span><span style="">Recognizing them allows you to respond better either by adapting your decision-making processes or by changing them.</span></p>		<p><span style="">Rules </span>and protocols<span style=""> are the rules of groups related to participation in decision-making.</span></p><p><br><span style="">Certain rules and protocols make it possible to overcome the power dynamics present in society. </span><span style="">Let's think about the dominant classes who enjoy enormous power over the rest of society, power which is not counterbalanced by the electoral model. </span><span style="">Or the power given to men through patriarchy and/or white privilege.</span></p><p><span style="">Other rules and protocols have the effect of reinforcing power dynamics in society. </span><span style="">In both cases, they influence participation in decision-making.</span></p><p><br><span style="">Rules and protocols sometimes create unwanted power dynamics. </span><span style="">Recognizing them allows you to respond better, either by adapting your decision-making processes or by changing them.</span></p>
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	\| style="height: 86px; width: 176px;" \| '''<span style="">Tyranny of the minority</span>'''<br>		\| style="height: 86px; width: 176px;" \| '''<span style="">Tyranny of the minority</span>'''<br>
	\| style="height: 86px; width: 1475px;" \| <p><span style="">Especially in the consensus decision-making process, when one person has the power to block a proposal through their will alone. </span><span style="">Power of veto.</span></p><p>''<span style="">See ~~in the section on consensus for~~ how to avoid this tyranny of the minority.</span>''</p>		\| style="height: 86px; width: 1475px;" \| <p><span style="">Especially in the consensus decision-making process, when one person has the power to block a proposal through their will alone. </span><span style="">Power of veto.</span></p><p>''<span style="">See how to avoid this tyranny of the minority in the section on consensus below.</span>''</p>
	\|- style="height: 51px;"		\|- style="height: 51px;"
	\| style="height: 51px; width: 176px;" \| '''<span style="">Tyranny of the structureless</span>'''<br>		\| style="height: 51px; width: 176px;" \| '''<span style="">Tyranny of the structureless</span>'''<br>
	\| style="height: 51px; width: 1475px;" \| <p><span style="">In a group without a formal structure, decisions are made according to codes known only by a few people, which concentrates power in their hands.</span><span style=""></span><span style=""></span></p>		\| style="height: 51px; width: 1475px;" \| <p><span style="">In a group without a formal structure, decisions are made according to codes known only by a few people, which concentrates power in their hands.</span><span style=""></span><span style=""></span></p>

	<span style="">See our page on [[structure]]</span><span style=""> to learn how to build a democratic structure and avoid structurelessness. ~~</span><span style="">This structure can be more or less hierarchical.~~</span>		<span style="">See our page on [[structure]]</span><span style=""> to learn how to build a democratic structure and avoid structurelessness. </span>
	\|- style="height: 103px;"		\|- style="height: 103px;"
	\| style="height: 103px; width: 176px;" \| '''<span style="">Tyranny of time</span><br>'''		\| style="height: 103px; width: 176px;" \| '''<span style="">Tyranny of time</span><br>'''
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	=== General rules and protocols favouring horizontality ===		=== General rules and protocols favouring horizontality ===
	These general rules and protocols ~~are in addition to~~ the measures related to accessibility. The accessibility of spaces impacts who speaks and to what extent.		These general rules and protocols complement the measures related to accessibility. The accessibility of spaces impacts who speaks and to what extent.

	''<span style="">Inspired by the document  </span>''[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RF1cvGmJRBIQhbdp7qadg149MM-tvRqW/view?usp=sharing Les Chefs: How to get rid of them]		''<span style="">Inspired by the document  </span>''[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RF1cvGmJRBIQhbdp7qadg149MM-tvRqW/view?usp=sharing Les Chefs: How to get rid of them]

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Resources

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	[https://cosmonautmag.com/2021/08/the-procedural-is-political/ Article - The procedural is political]		[https://cosmonautmag.com/2021/08/the-procedural-is-political/ Article - The procedural is political]


			<br>If you have any suggested revisions or additional resources to share related to the above content, please email them to kenzie@lehub.ca.
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			<div style="text-align:center;">This work is licensed under a [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License].</div>


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Assessment

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	*<span style="">Participation with people of multiple identities and conditions enabled through access to the decision space is an indicator of horizontal decision making.</span>		*<span style="">Participation with people of multiple identities and conditions enabled through access to the decision space is an indicator of horizontal decision making.</span>
	*<span style="">Doing tests, trying different decision-making methods and keeping written records of this collective learning process allows you to constantly improve.</span>		*<span style="">Doing tests, trying different decision-making methods and keeping written records of this collective learning process allows you to constantly improve.</span>

			= Resources =
			<p><span style="">Influential activists on this issue: Ella Baker, Joe Freeman, Jonathan Smucker, Barbara Ransby.</span></p>

			<span style=""></span>[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RF1cvGmJRBIQhbdp7qadg149MM-tvRqW/view?usp=sharing Chefs: How to get rid of them]

			[https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/c-t-butler-and-amy-rothstein-on-conflict-and-consensus-a-handbook-on-formal-consensus-decision Detailed summary of the book On Conflict and Consensus by section]

			[http://www.consensus.net/pdf/consensus.pdf On Conflict and Consensus PDF]

			[https://secmv.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/petit-livre-mauve.pdf Little purple book from ASSÉ]

			[https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/91432 Thesis: InterTwinkles: online tools for non-hierarchical, consensus-oriented decision making]

			[https://cosmonautmag.com/2021/08/the-procedural-is-political/ Article - The procedural is political]

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Assessment

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	=Assessment=		= Assessment =

			*<span style="">The horizontal aspect of your group's decision-making can be assessed by the members' feelings.</span>
			*<span style="">The more informed the decision-making, the more horizontal it is. </span><span style="">This implies that the participation codes are well explained and that spaces to ask questions and get answers are used.</span>
			*<span style="">Participation with people of multiple identities and conditions enabled through access to the decision space is an indicator of horizontal decision making.</span>
			*<span style="">Doing tests, trying different decision-making methods and keeping written records of this collective learning process allows you to constantly improve.</span>

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Positive experiences of horizontal decision-making

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	== Positive experiences of horizontal decision-making ==		= Positive experiences of horizontal decision-making =
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	<span style="background-color: #d1f1ee;" >Work by consensus in order to govern ourselves collectively. This requires prioritizing the agenda and respecting the time allocated to the different points.</span></span><span style=""></span>		<span style="background-color: #d1f1ee;" >Work by consensus in order to govern ourselves collectively. This requires prioritizing the agenda and respecting the time allocated to the different points.</span></span><span style=""></span>
	\|}		\|}

			=Assessment=

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Positive experiences of horizontal decision-making

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	{\| class="wikitable" style="height: 155px;"		{\| class="wikitable" style="height: 155px;"
	\|- style="height: 86px;"		\|- style="height: 86px;"
	\| style="height: 86px; width: ~~188.047px~~;" \| '''<span style="">Flexible structure</span><br>'''		\| style="height: 86px; width: 188px;" \| '''<span style="">Flexible structure</span><br>'''
	\| style="height: 86px; width: ~~1458.44px~~;" \| <p><span style="">In times of great mobilization, the executive committee withdraws and gives its power to the strike council which will be a power-sharing space in which new people can get involved and in their own way.</span><br></p><p><br></p><p><span style="">“It’s a more open, relaxed and collaborative space.”</span></p>		\| style="height: 86px; width: 1458px;" \| <p><span style="">
	<span ~~style="background-color: rgb(209, 241, 238);"~~>~~Value the different roles within a group~~</~~span~~>.		<span style="background-color: #d1f1ee;" >In times of great mobilization, the executive committee withdraws and gives its power to the strike council which will be a power-sharing space in which new people can get involved and in their own way.</span></span></p>
			<p><span style="">
			<span style="background-color: #d1f1ee;" ></span></span></p>
			<p><span style="">
			<span style="background-color: #d1f1ee;" >“It’s a more open, relaxed and collaborative space.”</span></span></p>
	\|- style="height: 23px;"		\|- style="height: 23px;"
	\| style="height: 23px; width: ~~188.047px~~;" \| '''<span style="">Circle, consensus and food</span>'''		\| style="height: 23px; width: 188px;" \| '''<span style="">Circle, consensus and food</span>'''
	\| style="height: 23px; width: ~~1458.44px~~;" \| <span style="">In a small group, decision-making by round table.~~ ~~When we make a decision that everyone agrees to, we pass around a bag of chips.</span><br>		\| style="height: 23px; width: 1458px;" \| <span style="">
			<span style="background-color: #d1f1ee;" >In a small group, decision-making by round table. When we make a decision that everyone agrees to, we pass around a bag of chips.</span></span><br>
	\|- style="height: 23px;"		\|- style="height: 23px;"
	\| style="height: 23px; width: ~~188.047px~~;" \| '''<span style="">Single-sex caucuses</span><br>'''		\| style="height: 23px; width: 188px;" \| '''<span style="">Single-sex caucuses</span><br>'''
	\| style="height: 23px; width: ~~1458.44px~~;" \| <span style="">Have single-sex discussion spaces before returning as a large group to present what was discussed.~~ ~~There is a second round of discussion which will allow us to go in more depth, keeping in mind what the other groups have said.</span><br>		\| style="height: 23px; width: 1458px;" \|

			<span style="">
			<span style="background-color: #d1f1ee;" >Have single-sex discussion spaces before returning as a large group to present what was discussed. There is a second round of discussion which will allow us to go in more depth, keeping in mind what the other groups have said.</span></span>
	\|- style="height: 23px;"		\|- style="height: 23px;"
	\| style="height: 23px; width: ~~188.047px~~;" \| '''<span style="">Governance by consensus</span><br>'''		\| style="height: 23px; width: 188px;" \| '''<span style="">Governance by consensus</span><br>'''
	\| style="height: 23px; width: ~~1458.44px~~;" \|		\| style="height: 23px; width: 1458px;" \|
			<span style="">
	<span style="">Work by consensus in order to govern ourselves collectively.~~ ~~This requires prioritizing the agenda and respecting the time allocated to the different points.</span><span style=""></span>		<span style="background-color: #d1f1ee;" >Work by consensus in order to govern ourselves collectively. This requires prioritizing the agenda and respecting the time allocated to the different points.</span></span><span style=""></span>
	\|}		\|}

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Positive experiences of horizontal decision-making

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	\| style="height: 86px; width: 188.047px;" \| '''<span style="">Flexible structure</span><br>'''		\| style="height: 86px; width: 188.047px;" \| '''<span style="">Flexible structure</span><br>'''
	\| style="height: 86px; width: 1458.44px;" \| <p><span style="">In times of great mobilization, the executive committee withdraws and gives its power to the strike council which will be a power-sharing space in which new people can get involved and in their own way.</span><br></p><p><br></p><p><span style="">“It’s a more open, relaxed and collaborative space.”</span></p>		\| style="height: 86px; width: 1458.44px;" \| <p><span style="">In times of great mobilization, the executive committee withdraws and gives its power to the strike council which will be a power-sharing space in which new people can get involved and in their own way.</span><br></p><p><br></p><p><span style="">“It’s a more open, relaxed and collaborative space.”</span></p>
			<span style="background-color: rgb(209, 241, 238);">Value the different roles within a group</span>.
	\|- style="height: 23px;"		\|- style="height: 23px;"
	\| style="height: 23px; width: 188.047px;" \| '''<span style="">Circle, consensus and food</span>'''		\| style="height: 23px; width: 188.047px;" \| '''<span style="">Circle, consensus and food</span>'''

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Positive experiences of horizontal decision-making

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	==Positive experiences of horizontal decision-making==		== Positive experiences of horizontal decision-making ==
			{\| class="wikitable" style="height: 155px;"
			\|- style="height: 86px;"
			\| style="height: 86px; width: 188.047px;" \| '''<span style="">Flexible structure</span><br>'''
			\| style="height: 86px; width: 1458.44px;" \| <p><span style="">In times of great mobilization, the executive committee withdraws and gives its power to the strike council which will be a power-sharing space in which new people can get involved and in their own way.</span><br></p><p><br></p><p><span style="">“It’s a more open, relaxed and collaborative space.”</span></p>
			\|- style="height: 23px;"
			\| style="height: 23px; width: 188.047px;" \| '''<span style="">Circle, consensus and food</span>'''
			\| style="height: 23px; width: 1458.44px;" \| <span style="">In a small group, decision-making by round table. When we make a decision that everyone agrees to, we pass around a bag of chips.</span><br>
			\|- style="height: 23px;"
			\| style="height: 23px; width: 188.047px;" \| '''<span style="">Single-sex caucuses</span><br>'''
			\| style="height: 23px; width: 1458.44px;" \| <span style="">Have single-sex discussion spaces before returning as a large group to present what was discussed. There is a second round of discussion which will allow us to go in more depth, keeping in mind what the other groups have said.</span><br>
			\|- style="height: 23px;"
			\| style="height: 23px; width: 188.047px;" \| '''<span style="">Governance by consensus</span><br>'''
			\| style="height: 23px; width: 1458.44px;" \|

			<span style="">Work by consensus in order to govern ourselves collectively. This requires prioritizing the agenda and respecting the time allocated to the different points.</span><span style=""></span>
			\|}