From Unanimity to Voting and Consensus

Trends and Phenomena in Joint Decision-Making by Governments

Bibliographic Data

ID8911227
AuthorsKlaus Törnudd (University of Helsinki, corresponding author)
Year1982
Volume17
Issue2
Pages163-177
Publication date1982-07-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCooperation and Conflict (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0010-8367 • E-ISSN: 1460-3691
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/001083678201700208
OpenAlexW2065918585
LanguageEN
Citations received4

Törnudd, K. From Unanimity to Voting and Consensus: Trends and Phenomena in Joint Decision-Making by Governments. Cooperation and Conflict, XVII, 1982, 163-177. The purpose of this article is to make certain preliminary observations regarding methods of making joint decisions by governments. It is possible to perceive a continuum extending from voting between different alternative proposals in conference assemblies with a minimum of negotiation, over various situations of voting or almost unanimous decisions with provisions for opting out, to consensus decisions requiring great efforts of negotiation at least until a 'smallest common denominator' is achieved. The consensus method has gained more prominence in recent years, reflecting a need to give procedural strength to the holders of real power resources who otherwise could be overwhelmed by the power of the vote. The comprehensive approach to decision-making associated with the use of the consensus method has profound effects on the whole conduct of work at multilateral conferences as well as on the substantive outcome — a matter requiring further analysis and study

Economics · Joint (building · Law and economics · Microeconomics · Negotiation · Outcome (game theory · Political science · Politics · Positive economics · Power (physics · Public relations · Unanimity · Voting · Engineering · European Union Policy and Governance · Global Peace and Security Dynamics · International Arbitration and Investment Law · Law

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