Democracy and Open Space

[Peggy Holman]

>From Michael M Pannwitz:

> Dear Kerry,
> why vote?

Ah, Michael, what a wonderful question!  Why indeed?  I cheer to hear you
say:

>...regard the result of the prioritisation (or consolidation) only as
additional information about their system and not as the main basis for
direct >action. Proposals for actions are invited after reading the
proceedings or after the reading and prioritisation (or consolidation).

It has been my belief for years that voting sets up a dynamic of taking
people from an experience in another way of organizing back into the
familiar.  While it may make the trip home safer, it misses an opportunity
for experiencing a whole shift in thinking about how decisions are made.

Open Space invites alignment.  It is not about consensus or majority rule
but rather about passionate, responsible action that is informed by
individual passion and responsibility coupled with an immersion into a
collective inquiry that seems to create a greater sense of interdependence
and alignment, even at times, collective consciousness.  I can act alone or
with others who are attracted to my proposal.  I don't need permission.
While this sounds like it could really get out of control, there does seem
to be some sort of self-correcting force at work.

I find stories hard to come by, perhaps in part because butterfly
conversations  may be a common place that someone lets go of an idea that
may be well intentioned but not productive.


Michael Pannwitz said:
> I keep reminding myself that open space is an action and planning
> methodology and a window opener to the open space nature of all
> organisations and not a process of "democracy" (see Birgitts note on
> democracy).

I wonder if Open Space is a powerful expression of democracy?  Open Space is
grounded in passion and responsibility.  I remember being taught that
democracy is about freedom and responsibility.  The first of the definitions
from Birgitt (thank for them) is "government by the people, either directly
or through elected representatives."  In ongoing Open Space, is not taking
responsible action on that which someone cares about in the context of a
purpose and givens that interconnect participants an act of self-governance?
>

Peggy

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