Librocracy is a model for organizing public services that is free from narcissistic leaders and nation-states whose interests do not align with providing quality services to the people. It is not a utopia, but rather a set of tools that apply lessons learned over the past 1,500 years to improve civilization's organization. While it's not the only way, it does strive to be the smartest.
The main features of librocracy are a debtonomy to replace the economy and a consentocracy to replace simple majority democracy. Key concepts of Librocracy include "six degrees of separation-based democracy," "feedback-controlled public debt management," "sociocratic negotiations," "universal currency," "expiring licenses (instead of diplomas)," and "mutually agreed-upon, responsibility-based law."
Organize the democratic world from the grassroots up, starting with communities of about 1,000 adults.
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Sociocratic negotiations are structured processes within sociocratic organizations that focus on achieving policy decisions through consent-based governance, not majority voting or consensus. The core principle is that decisions are made only when no member has a paramount and reasoned objection—meaning no one believes the decision will prevent them from contributing effectively to the group’s aims.
Key Elements of Sociocratic Negotiations:
Consent, Not Consensus:
Consent means no objections, not full agreement. A member may not prefer the proposal but can still consent if it is "good enough for now, safe enough to try" and within their tolerance range. This avoids the need for everyone to agree, making the process faster and more efficient than traditional consensus.
Objection as Constructive Feedback:
Objections are not roadblocks but valuable inputs that improve the proposal. An objection must be paramount (directly related to the circle’s aim) and reasoned (clear, rational, and understandable). The group then revises the proposal to address the objection.
Round-Based Discussions:
Meetings use rounds—each member speaks in turn—ensuring everyone is heard and preventing dominance by loud or assertive individuals. This promotes equity and psychological safety.
Double-Link Structure:
Each circle is linked to higher and lower circles via two representatives:
- The leader (top-down link) ensures information flows from higher to lower levels.
- The delegate (bottom-up link) ensures the lower circle’s voice is heard in higher-level decisions.
This structure enables transparent, accountable negotiation across levels.
Focus on the Circle’s Aim:
All discussions and decisions are evaluated against the circle’s specific, clearly defined aim. Proposals are assessed not by personal preference, but by how well they support the group’s purpose.
Efficiency and Trust:
Though sociocratic negotiations may take longer initially, they are often faster in practice because they prevent hidden resistance and build shared ownership. The process requires trust, training, and facilitation, but leads to sustainable, well-informed decisions.
Example:
In a software team circle, a proposal to adopt a new development tool is made. One member objects, stating it will slow down their workflow due to lack of familiarity. The group discusses this, modifies the proposal to include a 2-week training period, and re-evaluates. Once no one objects, the decision is approved by consent—no vote needed.
Sociocratic negotiation is not about compromise; it’s about collaborative problem-solving to find a solution that enables everyone to move forward effectively.
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