Читать книгу So They Say - Robert H. Mounce - Страница 21

Margaret Thatcher once wrote that to her “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.” No wonder she earned the title “Iron Lady”! Many would hold that consensus is the guiding principle of informed society. Isn’t that how people work together for the common good?

Giving her the latitude that comes with her “seems to be,” it is still remarkable that a major player in the Western world (Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990) would call into question a principle so widely accepted.

So what’s the problem (if there is one) with consensus? It depends upon what one means by the word. Most often “consensus” is used to denote the opinion of the majority. Two groups meet and, after discussion, release a “consensus opinion” that they will follow plan A rather than plan B. But the more basic meaning of the word is “general agreement or concord.” To have a consensus means to be in agreement. That is different. Dr. Thatcher’s concern was that people of differing persuasions often abandon their principles to arrive at what seems to be a “workable solution.” On a given subject, two political parties may well share a common goal but differ on how to achieve it. If they discuss the issue in an open and honest manner, both sides may come to see some practical insight on how best to solve the problem. Then, if they adjust their approach somewhat, they have not compromised their principles but have reached a consensus on how to arrive where they both want to be.

Since the beginning of time, people of principal have brought stability to society. They could be counted on to do exactly what they said. I believe in firmness in principle but flexibility in process.