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[KNat <knat AT sprintmail.com>]

Taken beyond these "alarms" (or clarifying what those articles on 
Delphi, Alinsky, Educational takeover, are scaring people away from) try :
http://www.consensus.net/articles.html
It is the actual method used in Eagle's reference to government 
takeover. But, the outside facilitator taught skills and they then run 
themselves. (not the "Delphi Technique.")

Many techniques have used "consensus" just as many use "democratic" in 
some strange ways. The basis of "In synthesis, opposites are brought 
together to form the new thesis. All participants in the process are 
then to accept ownership of the new thesis and support it, changing 
their views to align with the new thesis." is indeed vulnerable to 
manipulation and not geared to a group product. Delphi assumed a linear 
world. It was/is a way for those with power to retain power while 
appearing to change the system (maybe even making change but only in a 
controllable direction.) But I've seen consensus process hold now and 
not fall away. I too came through the old "change agent" days (and wish 
I had more notes, like Lynda.) But, in education, we weren't teaching 
manipulation. In administration that was, indeed, the lesson (or the 
promise to get compliance.) However, I will confirm the vulnerability to 
manipulation of 2 ends meet in the middle concepts. That's why it was 
done. To get specific change. An opening for redefining the power stream 
in education.
One major difference with consensus use today is rotating facilitation. 
The old, follow the leader game based on who can control the leader went 
out with people's awareness. The group can effectively run themselves 
but there will not be access to funnel off resources to non-workers. It 
is therefore threatening to people who feel they receive beyond what 
they contribute or that there should be control of the group. (I think 
that was the original question of whether we believe some people try to 
puppet groups.)

The main thing to look for in any of this is- if the power people remain 
the same and the same people do all the work in any project, nothing has 
changed.
Recent herd studies showing herds are led by a small group not an 
individual and the group changes with the need, have confirmed 
leadership should rotate.
Hope we keep studying the other beings on this planet we haven't 
extincted yet who can continue the lesson.

Peace,
Kathyann