What is ...?

Sociocracy

...is a certain form of organizing our living and working together with respect to our environment. Its basis is equivalence in the way we deal with eachother and in exchange with our relevant environment. The approach is applied by the principle of consent in the decision-making as well as the circle-structure and the double link in the organization's structure.
 

Equivalence in Decision-making

...is the power of each circle-member to avoid or to correct a situation of power over. Equivalent does not mean equal. We acknowledge and appreciate that people are not equal as a source of diversity and opportunity to get needs met and to develop.
 

The Principle of Consent

...is a format to only accept a decision as commonly taken if there is no circle member present with a paramount and reasoned objection. The principle of consent avoids ignoring. It provides the possibility to correct, if it should happen. With this principle all members have the right to participate in decisions which are relevant for them.
 

The Sociocratic Circle

...is a group of people who wish to realize a common aim and contact on a regular basis to work on it. They know eachother and set together policy and criteria for the way how to realize the aim. In the circle it gets possible to tune individual needs, inner reality and those of the group. Here it is where individual identity and group identity find their overlap. The creation of a "WE" that gives space for a living "ME".
 

Policy (of the Circle)

...are criteria and rules for all activities which are meant to realize the common aim. All circle members are involved by its formulation.
 

Double link

...is a strategy to implement the principle of consent with different levels of hierarchy. At least two members of the lower cirlce are full members in the decision-making of the higher circle. One of them is the lower circle's leader. The double-link guarantees that the work on two different hierarchy-levels is coordinated. Information can flow both ways -top-down and bottom-up.