Last week the W3C reached consensus on patents in Internet Standards. Decisions arrived at by consensus are the strongest possible. Some argue that mediocrity is the result.
Mediocrity is not the result because of the balance of power in a consensus situation. Everyone has the power to delay any decision so everyone has equal power. No group can form a coalition and pass their agenda when they have to bring everyone along. When the process stalls it is due to the group having the wrong focus.
Someone should speak up in this situation and make sure that the group is focused on the strategic reasons behind the project or policy. Maintaining a strategic focus then speeds the decision process.
5:50:31 PM 
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