Deciding Together: The Consensus Model in Mutual Aid

How Collective Decision-Making Builds Strong and Resilient Movements As Shown by Occupy Wall Street.

Photo by Sergei Bachlakov via Shutterstock

In a world of mutual aid, consensus decision-making offers a powerful way to embody the values of horizontal leadership and solidarity. Unlike hierarchical decision-making models, consensus ensures that everyone’s voice is heard, fostering a sense of collective ownership and empowerment. But what does it mean to make decisions by consensus, and why is it so crucial for mutual aid efforts?

Consensus decision-making is a process where group members work together to reach an agreement that everyone can support or at least live with. It is not about voting or majority rule but finding a solution that considers all participants' concerns and contributions. 

This process aims to minimize power dynamics, allowing everyone, regardless of status or position, to have an equal say. Decisions made based on consensus end up being better than those made from the top down. But what does it mean to make decisions by consensus, and why is it so crucial for mutual aid efforts?

 

Consensus Principles

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Consensus decision-making is not about a simple vote or tally; it’s a process that prioritizes discussion, understanding, and compromise. Group members collaborate to develop solutions that consider everyone’s needs and concerns. 

This process is essential in mutual aid, where inclusivity, horizontal leadership, and equality are core principles. Instead of one person or group holding all the power, decisions are collectively shaped, promoting a sense of ownership and responsibility in the outcome. 

What are some key principles of consensus?

1. Inclusivity: In mutual aid, where members often come from marginalized or underrepresented communities, consensus ensures that all voices are considered. It's about finding solutions that account for all perspectives, making sure no one feels left behind.

2. Collaboration: Instead of competition, consensus promotes cooperation. The goal is not to "win" a decision but to arrive at an outcome that benefits the group collectively.

3. Equality: Consensus actively resists hierarchy. Each person, regardless of their background or expertise, has an equal say in the decision-making process. This is particularly important in mutual aid, where solidarity is key.

4. Active Listening: Consensus requires participants to deeply listen to one another—not just to the words, but to the emotions and values behind them. This fosters trust and empathy, which are crucial for building lasting mutual aid projects.

5. Flexibility and Adaptability: Consensus is not rigid. It’s an evolving process that adapts to the changing needs of the group. In mutual aid, where circumstances can shift quickly, this adaptability ensures that projects remain resilient and responsive.

Why Mutual Aid Requires Consensus

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Mutual aid is grounded in horizontal solidarity—working together, not through charity, but through collective survival and empowerment. Consensus aligns perfectly with this philosophy because it avoids the pitfalls of hierarchical or authoritarian decision-making. In mutual aid projects, consensus helps build trust and accountability within the group, ensuring that decisions are not only just but sustainable in the long term.

This approach also enhances the sense of community, a core goal of mutual aid. When individuals have a hand in shaping the decisions that impact them, they are more likely to feel connected and committed to the outcomes. This level of engagement creates stronger, longer-lasting projects, as participants are less likely to feel alienated or disempowered by decisions made on their behalf.

Consensus in Action: Occupy Wall Street

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A powerful example of consensus in practice can be found in the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement. OWS used consensus to organize, make decisions, and take action, reflecting its commitment to direct democracy, horizontalism, and collective autonomy.

At OWS, decisions were made through the General Assembly (GA), where participants used hand signals to express agreement or raise concerns. Their decision-making process involved building consensus using some of these example stages:

• Proposal Introduction: Anyone could introduce a proposal.

• Clarifying Questions: Others could ask questions to clarify points.

• Concerns/Amendments: Participants raised concerns, and amendments were made to address them.

• Straw Polling: Informal polling with hand signals gauged the group's temperature on the issue.

• Stack: A queue of speakers that anyone can join. 

• Blocks: If someone strongly opposed a proposal on ethical or moral grounds, they could "block" it, preventing it from moving forward unless a resolution was found.

 

This process of discussion, clarification, and modification helped the group reach agreements that everyone could support or at least live with. While OWS aimed for full consensus, it often operated under a modified consensus model, requiring 90% agreement to move forward.

Despite challenges—such as the time-consuming nature of the process and the occasional frustrations that arose—consensus decision-making was central to OWS. It empowered marginalized voices, ensured inclusivity, and modeled a more egalitarian approach to governance. For mutual aid groups today, Occupy offers valuable lessons in how consensus can help build a movement based on equality and direct participation.

The Challenges of Consensus

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While consensus decision-making is deeply aligned with the values of mutual aid, it’s not without challenges. The process can be time-consuming, requiring patience, commitment, and strong facilitation skills. Power dynamics, despite best efforts, can still creep into the conversation, especially if some members are more experienced or confident in expressing their ideas.

Additionally, consensus doesn’t mean everyone gets exactly what they want. Instead, it’s about finding a compromise that everyone can live with. This requires a level of humility and flexibility, as well as an understanding that collective well-being takes priority over individual preferences.

Practical Tips for Consensus in Mutual Aid Groups

• Facilitate the Process: A good facilitator can guide discussions, manage conflicts, and ensure that everyone has an opportunity to contribute. This helps prevent dominant voices from overshadowing quieter ones.

• Clear Guidelines: Establish clear rules for how consensus will be reached. Using hand signals, setting time limits, and having protocols for when consensus can’t be reached can streamline the process.

• Empathy: Consensus thrives on empathy. Encouraging participants to approach discussions with empathy helps foster an understanding of diverse perspectives.

• Small Group Discussions: In larger groups, breaking into smaller discussions can surface concerns or ideas that might otherwise be lost. These smaller conversations can then be shared with the larger group for further consideration.

• Adaptability: Keep the process flexible and open to change, especially as new information comes to light or circumstances shift.

Conclusion

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Consensus decision-making is more than just a way to make decisions—it reflects the values that lie at the heart of mutual aid. It promotes equality, solidarity, and collective action in a world that idolizes individualism and hierarchy. Though it requires effort and commitment, the rewards of building more inclusive and resilient communities make it worth the effort. 

If we want a different world that responds to human needs, then we need to make decisions differently. When everyone participates, our collective goals can work for rather than against most people’s needs. Through consensus, we’re not only making decisions. We’re shaping the kind of world we want to live in—one where everyone’s voice matters, and no one is left behind.

 

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