The model of consensus building used in this video borrows from general mediation and conciliation theory and practice: A) It aims to hear every point of view; B) It allows people to not buy into a majoritarian sentiment – a thin majority creates almost as many losers as winners; C) It finds ways to include all as stakeholders in the policies.
The hand signals were devised because of limitations arbitrarily imposed by the police in the hope of crippling #OWS, but the #OWS core found ways to cope – much to their credit and via their spirit of democracy and innovation.
This YouTube is a great tool that should inspire many functional mutations, given new circumstances that will arise.
Tags: "Occupy Movement", #OWS, Deliberative democracy, Direct Deliberative Democracy, Direct democracy, Important Videos, Occupy Wall Street, participate