Editing Consensus decision-making (section)

== Decision rules ==
Consensus is not synonymous with [[unanimity]] – though that may be a rule agreed to in a specific decision-making process. The level of agreement necessary to finalize a decision is known as a [[decision rule]].<ref name="CODM book" /><ref>{{Cite book|last=Kaner|first=Sam|title=Facilitator's Guide to Participatory Decision-Making|publisher=John Wiley & Sons Inc|date=26 April 2007|isbn=9780787982669}}</ref>

Diversity of opinion is normal in most all situations, and will be represented proportionately in an appropriately functioning group.

{{Blockquote|text=Even with goodwill and social awareness, citizens are likely to disagree in their political opinions and judgments. Differences of interest as well as of perception and values will lead the citizens to divergent views about how to direct and use the organized political power of the community, in order to promote and protect common interests. If political representatives reflect this diversity, then there will be as much disagreement in the legislature as there is in the population.<ref>{{Cite book|chapter-url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-1-349-27291-4_7|doi=10.1007/978-1-349-27291-4_7|chapter=Unanimity, Consensus and Majority Rule|title=Democracy|year=1999|last1=Weale|first1=Albert|pages=124–147|isbn=978-0-333-56755-5}}</ref>}}