Historically, the claim of consensus has been the first refuge of scoundrels; it is a way to avoid debate by claiming that the matter is already settled.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
To me, consensus seems to be the process of abandoning all beliefs, principles, values and policies. So it is something in which no one believes and to which no one objects.
A consensus means that everyone agrees to say collectively what no one believes individually.
There is no consensus, there is no homogeneity, there is no truth.
It has been the way of Rotary to focus thought upon matters in which members are in agreement, rather than upon matters in which they are in disagreement.
You can't forge a new sort of consensus, you can't forge public opinion, by following public opinion.
I have always believed in evolving a consensus before taking any major decision.
I look for the consensus because the consensus drives the policy into new places.
I don't think consensus-building politics is what I'm meant to be doing.
Consensus isn't just about agreement. It's about changing things around: You get a proposal, you work something out, people foresee problems, you do creative synthesis. At the end of it, you come up with something that everyone thinks is okay. Most people like it, and nobody hates it.
A technical objection is the first refuge of a scoundrel.