Much public debate on modern issues facing cities and towns focuses on “building community.” In reality, these efforts are generally seeking consensus, not furthering community. There is a difference, and it is an important one.
Webster’s defines community as “a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.”
Consensus, on the other hand, simply means complete agreement. Building community really means focusing on furthering the goals or common interests of the community… not seeking complete agreement on how specifically to do it. Disagreement, respectfully handled and thoughtfully put forward, can lead to new and better ideas. It is one of the benefits of our sacred freedom of expression and a cornerstone of the democratic process. Citizens who share a common interest (public safety, better education opportunities, smoother streets) can better build community through becoming informed and involved. Attend public meetings. Engage in debate, discussion and even disagreement. Vote. Remain focused on the shared goals and interests of the community. Seeking consensus usually results in much debate that ends with no one satisfied with the outcomes because the lowest common denominator is the default answer: the answer that is least offensive to everyone is the outcome generated. Is “least offensive” an acceptable goal for your community? Neither the Revolutionary War nor the Civil War had widespread support from the majority of Americans. There was no consensus for independence nor for unity. Lack of consensus doesn’t mean the choice is wrong. Community building takes courage, not consensus.
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Well said Mandy. It is interesting to note that the natural evolution of any city is to begin as a consensus of ideas, and grow to into a community. When every city is founded, someone sets out to create something unique that will grow, foster, and promote certain ideas. As they grow, the need for people to become more willing to work together becomes apparent. Later, representative government would mediate these scenarios. Emphasizing your point that if you do not get involved in that process, your ideas will not help shape your community.
I am looking forward to reading a lot more from you!
Thanks, Sid. You're right about the natural evolution of a city… shared vision (consensus of ideas) growing into the physical manifestation of that vision (a place on a map, a community) and hopefully spawning a number of communities within the physical space that are tied together by values, interests, beliefs. Diversity is based on such things… and diversity drives growth and change. (hmmm… sensing another post…
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