Final answer:
Consensus decision-making aims for a solution that accommodates the group but particularly addresses the concerns of the minority. It is contrasted with majoritarianism and requires more inclusive approaches such as compromise and deliberation to resolve collective dilemmas.
Step-by-step explanation:
Consensus decision making seeks a solution that most of the group can agree to while trying to resolve any concerns or objections of the minority. This approach to decision-making attempts to minimize conflict and promote inclusive participation. The process is inherently democratic and is often seen as an alternative to other decision-making methods such as majoritarianism, wherein the majority rules, or supermajority rules, where a higher-than-simple-majority is required for certain decisions.
In collective dilemmas, different approaches can be taken to resolve disagreements. Some may opt for a compromise, where each party makes concessions to reach a middle ground that is satisfactory to all involved. Others might follow set voting rules, which could be biased toward the status quo or may require unanimity for major decisions. However, when it comes to voting, the bias can sometimes favor the status quo, indicating that without a sufficient majority for change, the default will remain.
Within a nonviolent, democratic setting that seeks to incorporate multiple voices, such as in collective decision-making, achieving a balance between transaction costs associated with group decision-making and conformity costs related to centralized decision-making is crucial. Whether through voting, bargaining, or deliberation, the goal is to address collective dilemmas in a way that reduces the likelihood of overpowering minority viewpoints.