Comments on: Revolution in Egypt?

By: Michael Corey

Michael Corey — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 20:03:15 +0000

Thanks for your comments. Some of the values that I have seen expressed in foundational documents that I have been involved with include doing what is right for the institution, fair for the individual and balancing them when they cannot be integrated. Among other values expressed was a goal to establish and preserve an atmosphere of trust in which everyone can be heard, differences can be aired, questions asked, and conflicts resolved. These, and other values, helped set the stage for subsequent actions. Consensus on principles seemed to open the way for subsequent actions. The values expressed were the result of a consensus making process involving thousands of people. They were captured in a published statement along with other values and principles.

By: Andrew Arato

Andrew Arato — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:06:23 +0000

What I am concerned with is the framework that would promote the possibility of compromise, and yes possible consensus.

It cannot be presupposed, i.e. consensus. On anything substantive. But there are fair and unfair frameworks. On a fair framework procedural consensus is possible. Empirically of course pressure is needed from below.

By: Michael Corey

Michael Corey — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:59:46 +0000

Do you think that achieving a consensus on values is a precondition for developing and successfully implementing a democratic constitution? Here I’m thinking about Arendt. In the workplace, I’ve found that developing a consensus on values opened the doors for substantive, participative workplace redesigns.