Chapter 8 Power-With Instead of Power-Over: Preventing and Addressing Conflict in Communities with Sociocracy
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Ted J. Rau
Abstract
This article explores how the governance system of sociocracy can aid in preventing and resolving conflicts within intentional communities. It provides an overview of key sociocratic principles such as decentralization, feedback loops, consent- based decision-making, and linking between circles. It then analyzes how these elements can mitigate conflicts by creating clarity around decision domains, encouraging inclusive deliberation, and distributing authority. Additionally, it discusses how sociocratic structure enables targeted conflict resolution through domain-based policymaking, objection integration, escalation to higher circles, and optional conflict engagement circles. Through examples, it demonstrates sociocracy’s capacity to address interpersonal and systemic issues at multiple levels and how sociocratic governance can engender “power-with” relations that transcend unhealthy conflict within communities.
Abstract
This article explores how the governance system of sociocracy can aid in preventing and resolving conflicts within intentional communities. It provides an overview of key sociocratic principles such as decentralization, feedback loops, consent- based decision-making, and linking between circles. It then analyzes how these elements can mitigate conflicts by creating clarity around decision domains, encouraging inclusive deliberation, and distributing authority. Additionally, it discusses how sociocratic structure enables targeted conflict resolution through domain-based policymaking, objection integration, escalation to higher circles, and optional conflict engagement circles. Through examples, it demonstrates sociocracy’s capacity to address interpersonal and systemic issues at multiple levels and how sociocratic governance can engender “power-with” relations that transcend unhealthy conflict within communities.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Foreword V
- Contents VII
- An Overview of the Book and a Short Review of the Theoretical Framework 1
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Part 1: Theory and research
- Chapter 1 Community Building Meets Conflict Transformation: An Integrated Approach 13
- Chapter 2 Man’s Best Friend? Dogs and Social Conflict in the Israeli Kibbutz 43
- Chapter 3 After all, we are one community: Conflicts between the kibbutz and its new extension neighborhood residents as a reflection of changes in the social field 61
- Chapter 4 Ideological conflicts and their resolution in the kibbutz movement 1948–1956 87
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Part 2: Practical approaches to conflict resolution in intentional communities
- Chapter 5 Consensus building in communities 109
- Chapter 6 Conflict Circles: Practical Experimentation with Derivations of Restorative Circles in U.S. Intentional Communities 125
- Chapter 7 Cultural Context and Conflict in Intentional Communities 139
- Chapter 8 Power-With Instead of Power-Over: Preventing and Addressing Conflict in Communities with Sociocracy 151
- Contributors 165
- Index 167
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Foreword V
- Contents VII
- An Overview of the Book and a Short Review of the Theoretical Framework 1
-
Part 1: Theory and research
- Chapter 1 Community Building Meets Conflict Transformation: An Integrated Approach 13
- Chapter 2 Man’s Best Friend? Dogs and Social Conflict in the Israeli Kibbutz 43
- Chapter 3 After all, we are one community: Conflicts between the kibbutz and its new extension neighborhood residents as a reflection of changes in the social field 61
- Chapter 4 Ideological conflicts and their resolution in the kibbutz movement 1948–1956 87
-
Part 2: Practical approaches to conflict resolution in intentional communities
- Chapter 5 Consensus building in communities 109
- Chapter 6 Conflict Circles: Practical Experimentation with Derivations of Restorative Circles in U.S. Intentional Communities 125
- Chapter 7 Cultural Context and Conflict in Intentional Communities 139
- Chapter 8 Power-With Instead of Power-Over: Preventing and Addressing Conflict in Communities with Sociocracy 151
- Contributors 165
- Index 167
