RE: [ga] Consensus on consensus?

["Gomes, Chuck" <cgomes@verisign.com>]

Before discarding "consensus," it seems like it would be a good idea to
first give "consensus" a legitimate chance.  I still contend that that has
never happened.  It would require a substantial investment in first of all
establishing documented and objective processes and procedures that would
guide the consensus development process.  That has never happened although
there have been a few brief starts.

As I have said before, it is okay if consensus cannot be reached on
particular issues.  It should not be at all surprising that, in the diverse
global Internet community, one size more often than not does not fit all.
That is perfectly okay.  That allows for diversity in the marketplace and
gives consumers choices.  It's a shame that there is so much fear of a free
market and instead a desire for centralized regulation.

Chuck

-----Original Message-----
From: DannyYounger@cs.com [mailto:DannyYounger@cs.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2002 8:05 PM
To: ga@dnso.org
Cc: DJohnson@Wilmer.COM
Subject: [ga] Consensus on consensus?


Karl Auerbach in his "Prescription-to-Promote" has argued that:  "The
concept 
of "consensus" must be discarded", with all decisions to be based on counted

voting using clearly defined procedures such as Robert's Rules.   Stuart
Lynn 
has likewise argued that a private sector body, based on consensus and 
consent, has been shown to be impractical.  

This begs the question... is it time to replace the consensus process?  If 
so, how do we avoid establishing a structural model that relegates certain 
groups automatically to minority status?   ICANN seems to be enamoured with 
voting blocks... Can we move to a one-man/one-vote mechanism, and will such
a 
move be accompanied with full membership rights for all participants?  

ICANN doesn't have the greatest track record with respect to honoring 
consensus... can we expect it to honor an actual vote of the complete 
membership?  More questions than answers at this point...

for Karl's treatise, see:  
http://www.cavebear.com/rw/prescription-to-promote.pdf









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