Unanimity

The rule of unanimity is a process of collective decision-making. It states:

An option x is deemed to be chosen by a group G when in the presence of alternative, ie when a decision between several options x y z tune, and all members of G for x. Otherwise, the existing condition still applies.

If abstention is possible, the rule is:

An option x is deemed to be chosen by the group G if, in a decision between several options x, y and z is at least one member of G is true for x and not a member of any other option right than x. Otherwise, the existing condition still applies.

Example

A couple with two children used in deciding how to spend the afternoon together, the unanimity rule. Suppose the options are: "Ins pool go ", " Take a bike ride " and " Going to the Zoo". All four vote for the zoo. For this option is selected. However, if for example a child for the " swimming pool " option is true, everything is as if the vote had not taken place.

Assessment

It seems as if the application of the rule of unanimity not a member forced to do anything that does not want it. However, this is not right, because if no option combines all the votes, it remains the status quo. This is binding on those members who want a change of the existing state.

By connecting with the status quo clause arises from the unanimity veto power of each member against changes in the status quo. As with a growing number of members of a group unanimity is always less common, the unanimity rule affects as a complication of changes.

On the other hand, unanimity rule protects each member before a serious change in his interests, which is not always guaranteed when using the majority rule, for example.

As with all polls, it is also important that the voters are informed about the options that they can vote for sanctions without fear and that all promising options are available.

Vote on individual proposals

If you do not vote together on the various possibilities for action ( "Are you for x, y, or z ?") But individually ( "Are you for or against x ?"), So rather unanimity will result. The fact that an option x is unanimously approved, but does not rule out that at the same time still another option y, which is also unanimously approved. It is even possible that y is also compared with x preferred unanimously. In this respect the unanimous endorsement of x by itself is not very meaningful. It states only that x is preferred unanimously against the status quo.

When voting on individual options, the ultimate outcome depends not only on the preferences of the members, but also by the Rules and to the handling, eg with regard to the order of voting on each option.

Because of the problems outlined one applies the unanimity rule only in small groups and / or limited their use to a few basic points.

Application Examples

The unanimity rule is applied not only to the formation of a common will, but also in jury decisions in order to keep the probability of error as small as possible. Suppose, on the question of whether a defendant has committed the offense in question, a single individual is mistaken average in 1 of 5 cases. According to the rules of the probability of independent events is 12 jurors err simultaneously in 1 of more than 244 million cases. This is true only if all jurors actually independently decide what but in practice is not the case, as a result of group dynamics in decision making.

Some Indian tribes of North America had come together federal and precipitated decisions only by consensus. In this case, the vote was preceded by the great palaver, which attempted to find a uniform opinion. The vote was - if it succeeded - a mere formality.

EU and NATO also vote unanimously. The EU deviates from this principle from increasing. NATO agrees on the principle that an abstention is considered as consent to any judgment.

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