A   C o m p r e h e n s i v e   M a n u a l

representation on the steering committee

call for votes, etc. Voting is formal either

(a steering committee at a coed school

through a voice vote or written ballot.

comprised of eight white men, for

There are, however, less formal ways of

instance, is problematic).  If the members

using a majority rule process. 

of the steering committee are representa 

tive of the group as a whole (or of the

There is mor than one type of majority.  A

demographics of the campus) there is less

simple majority (50% +1) is most com 

of a chance that any one group or sub 

monly thought of as majority rule, but

group will be (or feel) left out or unat 

majority rule decisions can be based on

tended to.  

three fifths, two thirds, or three fourths.

In fact, any fraction greater than a half

More perspectives represented may result

and less than unanimity can be used.  A

in better decisions.  Often, collectives

higher percentage can be used to give a

operate by the consensus decision mak 

minority opinion more weight.  Some

ing process.  But even if a collective

groups use different percentages depend 

votes, it often takes longer to arrive at

ing on the nature of the decision, such as

decisions because more people are

a higher percentage for procedural issues

involved.  This may be a benefit for some

or budgetary ones. 

decisions and may be considered too time

consuming for others.

Majority rule favors  either or  solutions

to problems with little impetus to reach

Different Decision Making Options

broad agreement.  It also helps to get

decisions made in a timely fashion.  It is

Two decision making processes that are

often easier and clearer for members to

most commonly used in small democrat 

ic groups are majority rule and consen 

sus.  Majority rule lets decisions get made

when they are supported by a majority of

those voting.  In consensus the goal of

decision making is to reach an agreement

that is acceptable to all.   

Majority Rule

This is the format or decision making

process with which most people are

familiar.  This process can be used in

either a hierarchically structured or col 

lectively structured group. In the majori 

ty rule design, not everyone has to agree

on what the decision will be.  One of the

most common set of procedures for a

Photo   1995 Alex Zaphiris

majority rule decision making process is

detailed in Robert s Rules of Order.  The

understand how this process works.   On

process is typically implemented by a

the negative side, there will always be a

chair or parliamentarian, and members

majority  and a minority.  It is important

can move to limit or extend discussion,

to keep track of who is in the majority

D e f i n i n g   Y o u r   G r o u p

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