We the People: Consenting to a Deeper Democracy

By: John Buck and Sharon Villines

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Synopsis: Our understanding of how the world works was fundamentally altered when the mechanical model of closed, linear systems was replaced with cybernetics and complexity theory. Sociocracy is a governance method that uses these new sciences to design organizations that are as powerful, self-organizing, and self-correcting as the natural world, including the honeybees. The United States Declaration of Independence asserts that all human beings are created equally and endowed with the unquestionable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In practice, however, these rights exist only for the majority, the rich, or property owners. We the People explains how sociocracy ensures these rights to everyone. Sociocracy shares the values of democracy, but designs more inclusive and efficient organizations. It makes profit-making businesses more profitable, and non-profit organizations more effective. And everyone is happier. The text includes history and theory; essential principles; relationship to traditional management theory; implementation methods; classic readings; examples of bylaws for businesses and nonprofits; short guides for meetings and decision-making; a glossary; a bibliography; and an index. It also includes photographs, diagrams, charts, and tables. It is a comprehensive handbook for understanding and implementing the sociocratic circle method of organization.