For more information on Sociocracy and to order the book, 'We The People, Consenting to a Deeper Democracy: A Guide to Sociocratic Principles and Methods' by John Buck and Sharon Villines visit: http://www.sociocracy.info

For an article on 'Sociocracy: from Quaker process to a Model of Governance' by Gina Price visit: http://www.quakers.org.au/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=112

Sociocracy is an elegant governance system which produces an effective organizational structure, efficiently organizes tasks and features a decision-making process that values the input of every individual. Sociocracy utilises four principles derived from systems theory that guide groups of people to self-organise in a way that :

- promotes egalitarian relationships
- encourages active leadership
- develops individual and group discipline and
- effectively accomplishes an organization's mission and aims

Sociocracy was started in the Netherlands following World War II and later developed at Endenburg Electrotechniek, an electrical company, which it continues to serve today. In the Netherlands it is practised in a wide range of organizations including a variety of businesses, a municipal police department, a Buddhist monastery, a nursing home and schools.

In Australia, a small business, a not-for-profit, and some ecovillage communities are trialling and exploring sociocracy. In the U.S.A, Sociocracy is being practised by a restaurant, an ecovillage, a certification organisation, and a non-profit with chapters across the country.