The benign oligarchy is a great concept. Except the ratio of the benign leaders to the unbenign is quite small. Then we have the problem of succession: benign leaders usually don’t have benign leaders to follow them.

Unfortunately, the term “consultation” is treated as a platitude. One just has to say it to practice it. But consultation is a lot more complicated. We need a better understanding. I have prepared a decision making paradigm that describes power, democratic, and consultative processes.

I can usually put any decision-making body I have been involved somewhere on that paradigm. The goal is move ourselves closer to the consultative apex for consulation produces better decisions.

I have experience great consultation in my life, so it is not an unreachable utopia.

And in all humbleness, I find myself sometimes preferring and employing power techniques. I still need some training on my own paradigm.