Consensus Decision-Making

Consensus decision-making is what many feel to be the most egalitarian way of voting. The often-used "majority rules" method is often divisive, typically ending with a large minority upset at the results.  In consensus decision-making, however, participants must come to an agreement.  Key to this process is discussion geared toward convincing others of your view.  This is not like a debate, where one side "wins."  Instead, it is an analysis of all points, an opportunity for mutually-agreeable compromise, to reach a conclusion that is satisfactory to all.  It is sometimes a difficult process, but in the long run, one that ends up leaving fewer people displeased than other decision-making processes.

In a way, consensus decision-making is the heart of the Pariah Project.  Ultimately, it is what makes us an egalitarian team.  Therefore, Project members are required to learn about this process.  A very good introduction to it (and sufficient for our purposes) can be found here.