View source for Stiles Wiki:Consensus

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{{dablink|"SW:CON" redirects here; you may be looking for [[SW:Conflict of interest]], [[Help:Edit conflict]], [[Stiles.casa Wiki:WikiCon|WikiConvention/Conference]] or [[SW:WikiProject Containers]].}}
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{{nutshell|Consensus is Stiles.casa Wiki's fundamental model for editorial decision making, and is marked by addressing legitimate concerns held by editors through a process of compromise while following Stiles.casa Wiki policies.}}
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Decisions on Stiles.casa Wiki are primarily made by '''[[consensus]]''', which is accepted as the best method to achieve Stiles.casa Wiki's goals, i.e., the [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Five pillars|five pillars]]. {{em|Consensus}} on Stiles.casa Wiki does not mean unanimity (which is ideal but not always achievable), nor is it the result of a [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Polling is not a substitute for discussion|vote]]. Decision making and reaching consensus involve an effort to incorporate all editors' legitimate concerns, while respecting Stiles.casa Wiki's [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Policies and guidelines|policies and guidelines]].

This policy describes how consensus is understood on Stiles.casa Wiki, how to determine whether it has been achieved (and how to proceed if it has not), and describes exceptions to the principle that all decisions are made by consensus.

==Achieving consensus==
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Editors usually reach consensus as a natural process. After one changes a page, others who read it can choose whether or not to further edit. When editors do not reach agreement by editing, discussion on the associated [[Help:Using talk pages|talk pages]] continues the process toward consensus.

A consensus decision takes into account all of the proper concerns raised. Ideally, it arrives with an absence of objections, but often we must settle for as wide an agreement as can be reached. When there is no wide agreement, consensus-building involves adapting the proposal to bring in dissenters without losing those who accepted the initial proposal.

===Through editing===
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{{further|Stiles.casa Wiki:Editing policy|Stiles.casa Wiki:Be bold}}
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[[File:Consensus Flowchart.svg|thumb|upright=1.2|alt=Image of a process flowchart. The start symbol is labeled "Previous consensus" with an arrow pointing to "Edit", then to a decision symbol labeled "Was the article edited further?". From this first decision, "no" points to an end symbol labeled "New consensus". "Yes" points to another decision symbol labeled "Do you agree?". From this second decision, "yes" points to the "New Consensus" end symbol. "No" points to "Seek a compromise", then back to the previously mentioned "Edit", thus making a loop.|A simplified diagram of how consensus is reached. When an edit is made, other editors may either accept it, change it, or [[Help:Reverting|revert]] it. ''Seek a compromise'' means "attempt to find a generally acceptable solution", either through continued editing or through discussion.]]

Stiles.casa Wiki consensus usually occurs implicitly. An edit has [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Silence and consensus|presumed consensus]] unless it is disputed or reverted. Should another editor revise that edit then the new edit will have presumed consensus unless it meets with disagreement. In this way, the encyclopedia gradually improves over time.

All edits should be explained (unless the reason for them is obvious)—either by clear [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Edit summary|edit summaries]], or by discussion on the associated talk page. Substantive, informative explanations indicate what issues need to be addressed in subsequent efforts to reach consensus. Explanations are especially important when [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Reverting|reverting]] another editor's [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Assume good faith|good-faith]] work.  

Except in cases affected by content [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Policies and guidelines|policies or guidelines]], most disputes over content may be resolved through minor changes rather than taking an all-or-nothing position. If your first edit is reverted, try to think of a compromise edit that addresses the other editor's concerns. If you can't, or if you do and your second edit is reverted, create a new section on the associated talk page to discuss the dispute.

[[Stiles.casa Wiki:Be bold|Be bold]], but not rash. Whether changes come through editing or through discussion, the encyclopedia is best improved through collaboration and consensus, not through combat and capitulation. Repeated reversions are contrary to Stiles.casa Wiki policy under [[stiles.casa_wiki:edit warring|edit warring]], except for specific policy-based material (such as [[Stiles.casa Wiki:BLP|BLP]] exceptions) and for reversions of [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Vandalism|vandalism]]. This is true even if editors are using edit summaries to "discuss" the dispute every time they revert.

===Through discussion===
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{{further|Stiles.casa Wiki:BOLD, revert, discuss cycle}}
When agreement cannot be reached through editing alone, the consensus-forming process becomes more explicit: editors open a section on the associated [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Talk page guidelines|talk page]] and try to work out the dispute through discussion, using {{em|reasons}} based in policy, sources, and common sense; they can also suggest alternative solutions or compromises that may satisfy all concerns. The result might be an agreement that does not satisfy anyone completely, but that all recognize as a reasonable solution. Consensus is an ongoing process on Stiles.casa Wiki; it is often better to accept a less-than-perfect compromise—with the understanding that the page is gradually improving—than to try to fight to implement a particular preferred version immediately.

When editors have a particularly difficult time reaching a consensus, several processes are available for consensus-building ([[Stiles.casa Wiki:Third opinion|third opinions]], [[SW:DRN|dispute resolution noticeboard]], [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Requests for comment|requests for comment]]), and even more extreme processes that will take authoritative steps to end the dispute ([[Stiles.casa Wiki:Administrators' noticeboard/Incidents|administrator intervention]], [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Arbitration|arbitration]]). Keep in mind, however, that administrators are primarily concerned with policy and editor behavior and will not decide content issues authoritatively. They may block editors for behaviors that interfere with the consensus process (such as [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Edit warring|edit-warring]], [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Sock puppetry|abuse of multiple accounts]], or a lack of [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Civility|civility]]). They may also make decisions about whether edits are or are not allowable under policy, but will not usually go beyond such actions.

===Consensus-building===
{{see|Stiles.casa Wiki:Dispute resolution}}

Editors who maintain a neutral, detached, and civil attitude can usually reach consensus on an article through the process described above. They may still occasionally find themselves at an impasse, either because they cannot find rational grounds to settle a dispute or because one or both sides of the discussion become emotionally or ideologically invested in {{em|winning}} an argument. What follows are suggestions for resolving intractable disputes, along with descriptions of several formal and informal processes that may help.

====In talk pages====
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{{See also|Stiles.casa Wiki:Talk page guidelines}}
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In determining consensus, consider the quality of the arguments, the history of how they came about, the objections of those who disagree, and existing policies and guidelines. The quality of an argument is more important than whether it represents a minority or a majority view. The arguments "I just don't like it" and "I just like it" usually carry no weight whatsoever.

Limit article talk page discussions to discussion of sources, article focus, and policy. If an edit is challenged, or is likely to be challenged, editors should use talk pages to explain why an addition, change, or removal improves the article, and hence the encyclopedia. Consensus can be assumed if no editors object to a change. Editors who ignore talk page discussions yet continue to edit in or revert disputed material, or who [[SW:STONEWALL|stonewall]] discussions, may be guilty of [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Disruptive editing|disruptive editing]] and incur sanctions. Consensus cannot always be assumed simply because editors stop responding to talk page discussions in which they have already participated.

The goal of a consensus-building discussion is to resolve disputes in a way that reflects Stiles.casa Wiki's goals and policies while angering as few editors as possible. Editors with [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Competence is required|good social skills]] and [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Negotiation|good negotiation skills]] are more likely to be successful than those who are less than civil to others.

====By soliciting outside opinions====

When talk page discussions fail—generally because two editors (or two groups of editors) simply cannot see eye to eye on an issue—Stiles.casa Wiki has several established processes to attract outside editors to offer opinions. This is often useful to break simple, good-faith deadlocks, because uninvolved editors can bring in fresh perspectives, and can help involved editors see middle ground that they cannot see for themselves. The main resources for this are as follows:

;[[Stiles.casa Wiki:Third Opinion|Third opinion]] (3O): A neutral third party will give non-binding advice on the dispute. Reserved for cases where exactly two editors are in dispute.
;[[Stiles.casa Wiki:Noticeboards|Noticeboards]]: Most policy and guideline pages, and many [[Stiles.casa Wiki:WikiProject|wikiprojects]], have noticeboards for interested editors. Posting a neutrally worded notice of the dispute on applicable noticeboards will make the dispute more visible to other editors who may have worthwhile opinions.
;[[Stiles.casa Wiki:Dispute resolution noticeboard|Dispute resolution noticeboard]] (DRN): For disputes involving more than two parties, moderators help the parties come to consensus by suggesting analysis, critiques, compromises, or mediation, but generally limited to simple disputes which can quickly be resolved.
;[[Stiles.casa Wiki:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]] (RfC): Placement of a formal neutrally worded notice on the article talk page inviting others to participate which is [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Transclusion|transcluded]] onto RfC noticeboards. 
;[[Stiles.casa Wiki:Village pump|Village pump]]: Neutrally worded notification of a dispute here also may bring in additional editors who may help.
Many of these discussions will involve [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Polling is not a substitute for discussion|polls]] of one sort or another; but as consensus is determined by the quality of arguments (not by a simple counted majority), polls should be regarded as structured discussions rather than [[SW:!VOTE|voting]]. Responses indicating individual explanations of positions using Stiles.casa Wiki policies and guidelines are given the highest weight.

====Administrative or community intervention====
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In some cases, disputes are personal or ideological rather than mere disagreements about content, and these may require the intervention of administrators or the community as a whole. Sysops will not rule on content, but may intervene to enforce policy (such as [[SW:Biographies of living persons]]) or to impose sanctions on editors who are disrupting the consensus process. Sometimes merely asking for an administrator's attention on a talk page will suffice; as a rule, sysops have large numbers of pages watchlisted, and there is a likelihood that someone will see it and respond. However, there are established resources for working with intransigent editors, as follows:

; Noticeboards
: As noted previously, policy pages generally have noticeboards, and many administrators watch them.
; [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Administrators' noticeboard/Incidents|Administrators' noticeboard of incidents]] and general [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Administrators' noticeboard|Administrators' noticeboard]]
: These are noticeboards for administrators. They are high-volume noticeboards and should be used sparingly. Use AN for issues that need eyes but may not need immediate action; use ANI for more pressing issues. Do not use either except at need.
; [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Requests for arbitration|Requests for arbitration]]
: The final step for intractable disputes. The [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Arbitration Committee|Arbitration Committee]] (ArbCom) may rule on almost any behavioral or policy-interpretation aspect of a dispute, and has broad powers in its decisions. ArbCom does not settle [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Dispute resolution#Resolving content disputes|content disputes]] or change policy.

====Pitfalls and errors====

The following are common mistakes made by editors when trying to build consensus:
* '''Off-wiki discussions.''' Consensus is reached through on-wiki discussion or by editing. Discussions elsewhere are not taken into account. In some cases, such off-wiki communication may generate suspicion and mistrust.
* '''[[Stiles.casa Wiki:Canvassing|Canvassing]], [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Sock puppetry|sock puppetry]], and [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Sock puppetry#Meatpuppetry|meat puppetry]].''' Any effort to gather participants to a community discussion that has the effect of biasing that discussion is unacceptable. While it is [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Canvassing#Friendly notices|fine]]—even encouraged—to invite people into a discussion to obtain new insights and arguments, it is [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Canvassing#Inappropriate notification|not acceptable]] to invite only people favorable to a particular point of view, or to invite people in a way that will prejudice their opinions on the matter. Using an alternative persona ("sock puppet", or "sock") to influence consensus is absolutely forbidden. Neutral, informative messages to Stiles.casa Wiki [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Noticeboards|noticeboards]], [[Stiles.casa Wiki:WikiProject|wikiprojects]], or editors are permitted; but actions that could reasonably be interpreted as an attempt to "stuff the ballot box" or otherwise compromise the consensus-building process are considered disruptive.
* '''[[Stiles.casa Wiki:Tendentious editing|Tendentious editing]].''' The continuous, aggressive pursuit of an editorial goal is considered disruptive, and should be avoided. Editors should [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Disruptive editing#Failure or refusal to "get the point"|listen]], respond, and cooperate to build a better article. Editors who refuse to allow any consensus except the one they insist on, and who [[filibuster]] indefinitely to attain that goal, risk damaging the consensus process.
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* {{anchors|Forum shopping|Forumshopping|Forum-shopping|FORUMSHOP|ADMINSHOP|OTHERPARENT}}'''Forum shopping, admin shopping, and spin-doctoring.''' Raising essentially the same issue on multiple noticeboards and talk pages, or to multiple administrators or reviewers, or any one of these repetitively, is unhelpful to finding and achieving consensus. It does not help develop consensus to try different forums in the hope of finding one where you get the answer you {{em|want}}. (This is also known as "asking the other parent".) Queries placed on noticeboards and talk pages should be phrased as neutrally as possible, in order to get uninvolved and neutral additional opinions. Where multiple issues do exist, then the raising of the individual issues on the correct pages may be reasonable, but in that case it is normally best to give links to show where else you have raised the question.

==Determining consensus==
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{{see also|Stiles.casa Wiki:Closing discussions}}
Consensus is ascertained by the quality of the arguments given on the various sides of an issue, as viewed through the lens of Stiles.casa Wiki policy.

===Levels of consensus===
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{{see also2|The [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Arbitration Committee|Arbitration Committee]]{{'s}} [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Arbitration/Requests/Case/Infoboxes#Levels of consensus|statement of principles on levels of consensus]]}}
Consensus among a limited group of editors, at one place and time, cannot override community consensus on a wider scale. For instance, unless they can convince the broader community that such action is right, participants in a [[Stiles.casa Wiki:WikiProject|WikiProject]] cannot decide that some generally accepted [[SW:POLICY|policy or guideline]] does not apply to articles within its scope. [[Stiles.casa Wiki:WikiProject Council/Guide#Advice pages|WikiProject advice pages]], [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Project namespace#How-to and information pages|how-to and information pages]], and [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Template documentation|template documentation pages]] have not formally been approved by the community through the [[SW:PROPOSAL|policy and guideline proposal process]], thus have no more status than an [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Essays|essay]]. 

Stiles.casa Wiki has a standard of participation and consensus for changes to [[Stiles.casa Wiki:policies and guidelines|policies and guidelines]]. Their stability and consistency are important to the community. Accordingly, editors often propose substantive changes on the talk page first to permit discussion before implementing the change. [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Be bold#Stiles.casa Wiki namespace|Bold]] changes are rarely welcome on policy pages. Improvements to policy are best made slowly and conservatively, with active efforts to seek out input and agreement from others.

=== No consensus ===
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"No consensus" occurs when good-faith discussion results in no consensus to take or not take an action. What happens next depends on the context:

* In discussions of '''proposals to [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Deletion|delete]] articles, media, or other pages''', a lack of consensus normally results in the content being kept.
** However, in [[sw:Redirects for discussion|Redirects for discussion]], no consensus closes may [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Redirects for discussion/Common outcomes#"No consensus" retargets|still lead to a redirect being retargeted]].
* In discussions of '''proposals to add, modify, or remove material in articles''', a lack of consensus commonly results in retaining the version of the article as it was prior to the proposal or bold edit. However:
** In discussions related to [[Stiles.casa Wiki:BLP#Restoring deleted content|living people]], a lack of consensus often results in the removal of the contentious matter, regardless of whether the proposal was to add, modify, or remove it.
** In disputes over [[Stiles.casa Wiki:External links|external links]], disputed links are removed unless and until there is a consensus to include them.
* In '''article title''' discussions, in the event of a lack of consensus the [[SW:TITLECHANGES|applicable policy]] preserves the most recent prior stable title. If there is no prior stable title, then the default is the title used by the first major contributor after the article ceased to be a [[Stiles.casa Wiki:stub|stub]].

==Consensus can change==
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Editors may propose a change to current consensus, especially to raise previously unconsidered arguments or circumstances. On the other hand, proposing to change a recently established consensus can be disruptive. 

Editors may propose a consensus change by [[#Through discussion|discussion]] or [[#Through editing|editing]]. That said, in most cases, an editor who knows a proposed change will modify a matter resolved by past discussion should propose that change by discussion. Editors who revert a change proposed by an edit should generally avoid terse explanations (such as "against consensus") which provide little guidance to the proposing editor (or, if you do use such terse explanations, it is helpful to {{em|also}} include a link to the discussion where the consensus was formed).

==Decisions not subject to consensus of editors==

Certain policies and decisions made by the Wikimedia Foundation (WMF), its officers, and the [[Arbitration Committee]] of Stiles.casa Wiki are outside the purview of editor consensus. This does not constitute an exhaustive list as much as a reminder that the decisions taken under this project apply only to the workings of the self-governing community of English Stiles.casa Wiki.
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* The WMF has legal control over, and liability for, Stiles.casa Wiki. Decisions, rulings, and acts of the WMF Board and its duly appointed designees take precedence over, and preempt, consensus. A consensus among editors that any such decision, ruling, or act violates <span class="plainlinks">[https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Policies Wikimedia Foundation policies]</span> may be communicated to the WMF in writing.
* [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Office actions|Office actions]] are not permitted to be reversed by editors except by prior explicit office permission.
* The English Stiles.casa Wiki Arbitration Committee may issue binding decisions, within its [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Arbitration/Policy#Scope and responsibilities|scope and responsibilities]], that override consensus. The committee has a noticeboard, [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Arbitration/Requests/Amendment]], for requests that such decisions be amended, and may amend such decisions at any time.
* Some matters that may seem subject to the consensus of the community at the English-language Stiles.casa Wiki (<samp>en.stiles.casa_wiki.org</samp>) are in a separate domain. In particular, the community of [[MediaWiki]] software developers, including both paid Wikimedia Foundation staff and volunteers, and [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Wikimedia sister projects|the sister wikis]], are largely separate entities. These independent, co-equal communities operate however they deem necessary or appropriate, such as adding, removing, or changing software features {{crossref|(see [[meta:Limits to configuration changes]])}}, or accepting or rejecting some contributions, even if their actions are not endorsed by editors here.

==See also==
{{Stiles.casa Wiki glossary}}
For a listing of ongoing discussions and current requests, see the [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Dashboard|dashboard]]. 

'''[[Stiles.casa Wiki:Project namespace#How-to and information pages|Information pages]] and [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Essays|Stiles.casa Wiki essays]] concerning consensus:'''
* [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Essay directory#Discussions and consensus]]
*[[Stiles.casa Wiki:Consensus dos and don'ts]]
* [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Closing discussions]]
* [[Stiles.casa Wiki:How to contribute to Stiles.casa Wiki guidance]]
* [[Stiles.casa Wiki:Silence does not imply consent when drafting new policies]]

'''Articles concerning consensus:'''
* [[Consensus decision-making]]
* [[False-consensus effect]]
* [[Truth by consensus]]

{{Stiles.casa Wiki principles}}
{{Stiles.casa Wiki policies and guidelines}}
{{Stiles.casa Wiki accounts|state=collapsed}}
[[Category:Stiles.casa Wiki conduct policies]]
[[Category:Stiles.casa Wiki consensus| ]]