Non-hierarchical (horizontal) decision-making

This page was created to answer questions from activists interested in making group decisions in a more non-hierarchical way.

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.

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.

The passages highlighted in this colour are knowledge shared during our learning circle on this topic.

Impacts of structure on non-hierarchical decision making

The structure is the first space that can influence the hierarchy at the decision-making level.

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. We can still want these groups with more power (standing committee, steering committee) to have horizontal internal practices.

Your level of horizontality depends on the goals of your group. These can be consistent with the use of a more horizontal structure as they could be achieved with a more hierarchical structure.

Pay attention to differentiated consequences. People are not affected in the same way by decision-making, due to the existence of oppression such as racism, sexism, classism and ableism. Thus, it is important to think about making decision-making according to the principle that each person can contribute to decision-making in proportion to the degree to which they will be affected by the decision. See intersectionality.

Examples of decisions - hierarchy in structure

Structural and intentional hierarchy	From an intersectional perspective, we may want to give more decision-making power to a steering group (hierarchy) composed of members of groups or communities experiencing several forms of oppression. Within this same group, horizontal decision-making practices may apply, although there is a hierarchy within the larger group. The hierarchy present here is structural and intentional.
Horizontality	In another group, one may choose to use a consensus model (horizontality) to ensure that the voices of people from minority groups or with divergent positions are included in decision-making. This situation is plausible for a group not wishing to operate with a committee having greater decision-making power.