The Society of Friends are a small religious group many of whom settled in the Philadelphia area in the 1680’s and today run many of the better secondary schools here. Better known as Quakers, they believe that “there is that of God in every man”, in nonviolence, and in the inherent good in every person. They have a novel way of governing themselves, their schools and their religious assemblies. They never vote and every decision requires unanimity. From the outside, it would appear that such a system would make it impossible to get anything done. An obstreperous minority, or even a single fierce dissenter, could make any decision impossible. But the system works because of the good will of the men and women who practice it. Everyone’s goal is for the welfare and harmony of the group. Sure, most people (even Quakers) feel that their position is the correct one. But Quakers teach humility and none are so vain as to be certain that their position in any negotiation is the best one. During a Quaker discussion, the minority soon realizes that its positions are not favored by the majority and seeks to modify the majority decision in a way that would be more compatible with their minority view. The majority, cognizant that minorities have rights and valid points as well, concedes important points. Before long an informal compromise is worked out that all can agree to. I have served on a Quaker Board of Directors and can tell you that when people of good will are involved and have the same aspirations for the group, difficult decisions can be made with relative ease-and not by majority vote but by unanimous acceptance. To one experienced in such decision making, the current debt crisis negotiations going on in Congress are a painful reminder of the damage that a willful minority bent on establishing their vision of governance can do to a nation.
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