FAQ
Who are the people behind this? Click here to see the people
currently working to actualize this vision on the Implementation
Committee.
I'm wondering how this differs from other social networks? It
seems there are so many. Please tell me if I'm missing
something. We have not found anything like NST. Social
networking is only the vehicle. Our idea is to build the critical
mass needed to sociocratically plan for and execute actions that
will build a world where all people have an equal voice in the
decisions affecting them. We are building an entirely organized,
friendship and trust based, egalitarian, efficient, non-sectarian
parallel government -- or even, perhaps, full fledged government --
that connects all individuals and groups into a hyper-democratic
decision-making structure that plans and fosters actions that meet
our common goals.
What does the logo mean?
- It incorporates the astronomical symbol of the sun, which
is 98% of the mass/power in the solar system. By definition, at
least 98% of people are in the Next Step Together.
- It has a single dot in the middle, which means you, and
every single other living being. No more throw-away people. Every
voice, every being, matters.
- It has the circle. When you sit in a round(ish) circle and
you can see all the eyes on you, and you sense everyone at once,
something clicks-in somewhere in your heart, in your gut, where the
power waits, ready. Around the rim of the circle we all share power
equally, fairly, honestly.
- It has eight sun rays. Eight is great size for a
working/governing group (though 4-12 works ok).
- It has four sections in each ray. Four is the suggested
number of First Circle groups that each send two representatives up
the sociocratic hierarchy. So, your group of freinds and family
will select two reps to meet in a Second Circle. In Second Circles.
four pairs of reps represent four First Circles.
- There is also a target. Martin Luther King was a target.
So were the Kennedys, Gandhi, Malcolm X and millions of others.
Most of us fear being targeted, so we acknowledge our fear in the
circle, where there is the safety of numbers, bringing it up and
out into consciousness. We feel the fear and do NST anyways. Either
we have our feelings, or they have us.
How is this going to work, specifically? Until we have
achieved adequate representation of a critical mass of groups, we
will all focus on
- inviting everyone we know and key organizations,
- publicizing this process, and
- welcoming, training and connecting people and circles as they
join.
Whenever a circle at any level decides there is critical mass to
make a decision or start a project, proposals will be made,
discussed and refined.
All First Circles may use sociocratic decision-making
methods. Second Circles (and above) will use them, unless
they first sociocratically decide not to.
Sociocracy is a version of consensus and doesn’t consensus take
too long? Sociocracy's consent process is faster and more
efficient than consensus, first because the goal is always to keep
steering forward and, second, because all debating and deciding is
in small groups where it is easiest to deal with individuals'
needs. If a First Circle cannot consent, other circles may, after
considering the circle’s objections, consent to keep moving
forward. And yet, though a minority may be efficiently set aside
after serious consideration, the results are more satisfying to
minorities than majority rules decision-making wherein minorities
are routinely out-voted and ignored. The sociocratic process is
very, very democratic. Every voice counts equally. It may feel a
little awkward at first, and require a few hours of training, but,
with just a little practice, groups are able to use the process
efficiently and effectively.
Sociocratic governance uses new power structures and a different
way to make decisions: consent. Consent is the most fundamental
form of decision-making, and, by consent, a group can decide to use
other ways to make decisions: majority vote, tradition (belief),
chaos, consensus, autocratic fiat, etc. Until the development of
contemporary sociocracy, no one really knew how to make a consent
decision except by expressing their paramount objections in
violence or by stubborn refusal (like strikes and resigning your
job). The U.S. Declaration of Independence even says,
"...governments exist by the consent of the people." (i.e.,
organizations only exist by the consent of their members.) After we
withdrew consent to be governed by England, we chose to rule
ourselves first by the Articles of Confederation and then by the
Constitution - but not by a consent structure.
Now, for the first time, we know how to set up such a structure
that enables us to surface paramount objections peacefully in such
a way that they launch a creative thought process. Consent is very,
very democratic. It is more egalitarian than majority vote and
faster and more efficient than consensus (for one thing, there is
no such thing as a block). Sociocracy incorporates the
efficiency of autocratic leadership but keeps people's needs and
rights secure; it incorporates chaos but prevents the destruction
that can accompany chaos (i.e., sociocracy is a chaordic
system).
The goal of consent decision-making is always to keep steering
forward. All dialog and deciding happens in small groups where it
is easiest to focus on the common aim of the circle and create an
organic "we."
Although it's based on healthy small group human behavior, consent
decision-making requires a few hours of training. With a bit of
practice, people are able to use the process fluidly and often
report feeling energized by a circle meeting.
What if I want to belong to more than one circle? It’s
perfect. Because we are using sociocratic decision making, you can
belong to many circles and working groups and voice your opinions
in each. It’s not possible to stack or dominate the process. Just
one principled voice can stop a proposal. At least in theory, there
are no throw-away people in a sociocracy and no tyrannies.
What geographical area will Next Step Together work with?
Just Earth, for now. We envision linked circles permeating every
level of human society, local to global. Oppressive governments and
corporations organize globally, so must those of us who want power
equivalent democracy (almost everybody!).
What actions are we going to take? Here are 198 Methods of
Nonviolent Action. But to say which one, if any, a Next Step
Together circle should use would put the cart before the horse.
Circles at all levels will do whatever members agree is both
important and achievable, given their numbers. There are no limits
in any direction, since deciding rests totally in the hands of the
Governance Circles. The Implementation Circle is only building and
maintaining a container, a structure, for linking groups in order
to achieve critical mass and facilitate decision making. What is
decided is up to the Governance Circles.
What is the Implementation Circle? The group that builds the
NST structure, or container. It stops functioning in any
geographical area as soon as a Top Circle representing critical
mass is established there.
I’m already a part of an organization doing good work. I’ve
hardly even heard of the Next Step Together. Why should I bother to
get involved? Your organization may still perform its important
work while cooperating with other groups to accomplish shared
goals. By working together, by linking with other groups, your
group will be even more effective; and by using mass movement and
barn building your group could reach its goals almost immediately
(scary, huh?).
Can I get involved if I represent a business? Absolutely!
Simply gather your employees and/or customers into First Circles,
select representatives to Second Circles and begin sharing
proposals. And, read We The People . In addition, you may
offer goods or services to enable other circles and projects to
flourish: meals or meeting/retreat/lodging space, web design,
printing, donations, etc.
Will there be an affirmative action to guarantee that women and
minority projects are favored? One of the many beauties of
sociocracy is that a minority of even one has huge power! The Next
Step Together Mission, directs that the mass of people facilitated
by Next Step Together must work to empower minorities and women
everywhere. Our goal is to sociocratically bring together people
and organizations that share deep democratic values. Some would
insist that global warming, peace or world hunger are more pressing
issues than minority rights. Each group that links in continues to
focus on their specific mission; but once we combine our forces,
and achieve critical mass, we should quickly accomplish change on
any and all projects we take on.
What if I only want to do my group’s project and I insist on
doing it first? A common and okay question! You will need to
convince the circles representing the mass of people you need that
your project is the best project to do first. In a city of 500,000,
the 8th Circle is the Top Circle. Your project will have to seem
important enough to a critical mass, and seem efficiently doable.
Very likely, you will only convince higher circles, representing
many people, if your group arranges to work on other groups’
projects after they accomplish yours. This is a barn-building
agreement.
You may however withhold consent from other group’s projects, which
will give your group another chance to convince others of the value
of your project. Your objection (niggle) must be based on
the NST Mission. It is critical that all circles operate in the
spirit of listening and consensus building, and that the
facilitators maintain a peaceful and efficient process.
Even if the appropriate circle does not consent to doing your
project first, it may consent to do it after your group
participates in other groups' projects. If, for whatever reason,
you can’t convince enough people, then you might modify your
proposal, or step aside and let something else emerge.
You may of course still continue to work on your project outside
Next Step, and some Next Step groups may join you.
Can this work? It’s so ambitious! We envision Next Step
Together as an enduring global sociocracy. It, or something
similar, will likely be the only way humanity thrives. Although
saving life on Earth seems daunting, never doubt what a giant
movement of connected, committed circles can accomplish. Consider
the African National Congress and their allies ending Apartheid;
the velvet revolutions recreating whole Eastern European nations;
the Civil Rights Movement transforming the U.S. and a black man
getting elected President of the U.S. Few even dared dream, and
yet….