Problem
Consensus trap
Other Names:
Consensus as an unreasonable pre-condition for actionCyclic disassociation from collective commitment
Dissent as an excuse for inaction
Unrealizable multilateral consensus as a justification of inaction
Irresponsible insistence on unanimity
Nature:
By focusing on points of agreement through the process of consensus, anything controversial is omitted from final agreements or plans of action. Thus consensus produces mediocrity and stagnation.
Incidence:
In 1995, just prior to the IV World Conference on Women (Beijing), it was argued by women's groups that a number of proposals arising from agreements reached at the Earth Summit (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), World Population and Development Conference (Cairo 1994) and Social Summit (Copenhagen, 1994), and which are backed by the majority of governments, are at risk of exclusion from the international agenda because they lack universal consensus. Countries blocking such agreements using religious concepts (e.g. Honduras, Guatemala and the Vatican) were particularly singled out as treating the "women question" as secondary.
Broader Problems:
Lack of social commitmentInadequate global consensus concerning problems and prospects of humanity Aggravates:
MediocrityGovernment inactionInaction on problemsResignation to problemsInadequate implementation of plans and programmes against problems Subject(s):
Action → Action Societal Problems → Irresponsibility
Law → Arbitration
Law → Agreements
Value Redistribution → Cooperative
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
F: Fuzzy exceptional problems Date of last update
04.10.2020 – 22:48 CEST