__Sociocracy__ vests the power to rule in the “socios,” that is, in the people who regularly interact with one another and have a common aim.

Each member has a voice that cannot be ignored in the managing of the organization.

It is based on four key concepts that let everyone participate in decisions on an equivalent basis:

1. __Consent__ — A policy decision can only be made if nobody has a reasoned and paramount objection to it.

2. __Elections__ — Persons are elected exclusively by consent, after open discussion.

3. __Circles__ — The organization consists of circles of semi-autonomous groups of individuals. Each circle has its own aim and performs the three functions of leading, doing, and measuring/feedback. A circle makes its own policy decisions and maintains its own memory system through integral evolution.

4. __Double Link__ — The connection between two circles consists of a double link. This means that at least two persons from one circle participate in the decision-making in the next higher circle: the circle’s leader and one or more elected representatives.

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Additional agreements besides the four main principles: 

- No secrets should be kept.
- Everything is open to discussion.
- Everyone has a right to be part of a decision that affects them.
- Every decision may be reexamined at any time.

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To review: 

- [Sociocracy: Democracy as it might be](http://worldteacher.faithweb.com/sociocracy.htm)
- [Sociocracy: Rules of Engagement](http://dynamicgovernance.blogspot.com/2009/04/rules-of-engagement.html)
- [How sociocracy works](http://www.transitioncville.org/beyond-democracy-4-how-sociocracy-works/)
- [About sociocracy](http://ashevillemovementcollective.org/aboutsociocracy.html)
- [Sociocracy.info](http://www.sociocracy.info)
- [Sociocracy Wikipedia page](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociocracy)