Understanding the history and theory of both democracy and sociocracy provides a deeper understanding of the principles and practices of what a sociocracy or sociocratic democracy might be, and why. Knowing the intention and development of an idea supports the meaningful application of its principles and practices in everyday life.
In several contexts lately the conversations about organizing sociocratically have drifted to the problem of confusing circle meetings with the work of the circle, and even circle meetings as focus of sociocracy. Evidence of this is that we discuss process and enforcing process without discussing the quality and application of decisions in our work. The questions are more often about officers and consent than evaluating the effect of recent policy decisions on operations, worker effectiveness,… Read More . . . “Are Your Meetings Content or Process?”
Three Principles vs Four
There were originally three principles of sociocracy: (1) Consent to policy decisions, (2) circles arranged in a circular hierarchyA round pyramid is the term used by Ricardo Semler in Maver... More to make policy decisions, and (3) double linking between circles. The election of people to roles and responsibilities was intended to be a part of the first principle of consent.
Allocation of resources involves the allocation of human resources as… Read More . . . “Three Principles of Sociocracy”
Policy decisions are defined in management theory as those decisions that define the basic principles of the organization and determine how it will develop and function in the future. Policies set the limits within which operational decisions are made. Examples include: Vision, Mission, Aim
Budget and Finance Practices
Allocation of Resources
Organizational Structure Policy decisions limit the actions an organization and its members can take without changing the policy. In sociocracy, policy decisions are made… Read More . . . “Policy Decisions”
At FreeStandingAgility.com, Daniel Mezick has compiled an intriguing list of books that discuss various approaches to changing cultures. All organizationsThe Delibrative Democracy Consortium (DDC)u is an alliance o... develop a culture, a common language and ways of doing things. They communicate in specific ways, share common behavioral expectations, and value similar values. These are not always positive or even productive. Even when they stand in the way of effectiveness and harmony, they persist. Culture hacking… Read More . . . “The Definitive List of Culture Hacking Books”
Q. So what are systems and why do a sociocratic organizations meet that definition?
A system is a grouping of parts that share a common purpose. OrganizationsThe Delibrative Democracy Consortium (DDC)u is an alliance o... are systems of people who share a common purpose or aim.
A Grouping of Parts
The parts must be defined. A lawnmower doesn’t work with just any old part. It works because specific parts do specific jobs. All parts can… Read More . . . “What Are Systems?”
Today I completed a post on organizational structure that I began writing in 2010 on “The Tyranny of Structurelessness,” an article by Jo Freeman published in various versions from 1971-1973. She discussed the problems with the women’s movement in the late 1960s and 70s that began to believe that structurelessness in and of itself was an organizational ideal that would solve the problems of autocratic rule and the exclusion of women and minorities. She defines… Read More . . . “Organizational Structure and Equality”
Please Join the eMail Discussion Group
The sociocracy email discussion list was started in 2002. The list language is English, but members speak many languages if you have translation questions. We discuss anything related to sociocracy, democracy, and collaborative governance.
This site is a resource on sociocracy and democracy and the ways they support each other. It examines the principles and practices and the ways in which together they could better achieve their objectives. How would things get done in a sociocratic democracy?
Three Principles vs Four
There were originally three principles of sociocracy: (1) Consent to policy decisions, (2) circles arranged in a circular hierarchyA round pyramid is the term used by Ricardo Semler in Maver... More to make policy decisions, and (3) double linking between circles. The election of people to roles and responsibilities was intended to be a part of the first principle of consent.
Allocation of resources involves the allocation of human resources as… Read More . . . “Three Principles of Sociocracy”
Policy decisions are defined in management theory as those decisions that define the basic principles of the organization and determine how it will develop and function in the future. Policies set the limits within which operational decisions are made. Examples include: Vision, Mission, Aim
Budget and Finance Practices
Allocation of Resources
Organizational Structure Policy decisions limit the actions an organization and its members can take without changing the policy. In sociocracy, policy decisions are made… Read More . . . “Policy Decisions”