What is sociocracy?



Sociocracy is a governance and decision-making framework that aims to create more equitable and participatory organizations.

The term “sociocracy” comes from the Latin words “socius,” meaning partner or associate, and “cracy,” meaning rule or governance.

It was developed in the mid-20th century by Gerard Endenburg, a Dutch engineer, as a way to improve decision-making and collaboration within organizations.

At its core, sociocracy is based on the principles of consent, equivalence, and feedback.

It seeks to distribute power and decision-making authority throughout the organization rather than concentrating it at the top.

In sociocracy, decisions are made by consent, which means that proposals are adopted as long as there are no reasoned objections from those affected.

This ensures that decisions take into account the expertise and perspectives of all members involved.

Sociocracy also emphasizes the importance of feedback loops and continuous improvement.

Regular meetings and communication channels allow for the sharing of information, learning from past experiences, and adapting processes to meet the changing needs of the organization.

One of the key features of sociocracy is the use of circles or self-organizing teams.

These circles are responsible for making decisions and implementing policies within their areas of authority.

Each circle has a double-linking role, where one person from the circle acts as a representative in the broader-level circle, while another person serves as a liaison with the more-focused-level circle.

This structure enables transparency, accountability, and effective communication across the organization.

Overall, sociocracy aims to create organizations that are flexible, adaptive, and responsive to the needs of its members.

It provides a framework for decentralized decision-making, consent-based decision processes, and an inclusive and collaborative culture.

If you would like to share your comments or personal reflections on this topic, please feel free to do so in a comment below. Thank you.

Best wishes.

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Over the summer, GROW participants have been taking part in mulching experiments, learning more about soil, weather and growing, and getting to know each other.