Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe.  No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise.  Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time. 

Sir Winston Churchill, Hansard, November 11, 1947
(taken from http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/24926.html)

My experience indicates that outcome is influenced by structure.  Structure makes a difference on how decisions are made, how information flows, and how intent is carried out.  In my own personal experience as a principal in creating two local community arts organizations I have seen a difference.  One has been in existence for 32 years and I have had nothing to do with it for 28 years.  The other was started 28 years ago and I am still very involved.  The first was founded on a very democratic decision making orientation based strictly on membership voting.  The second was founded on a more autocratic approach where participants have to earn the right to participate in the decision making and where certain features of the organization are not up for change.  The first group, in my opinion, produces mediocre performances.  The second group continues to set a higher and higher standard of achievement and is becoming nationally recognized in its special interest area. 

Although, I certainly prefer the second group, I must admit that many people who are involved with the first group are happy with it and are getting some personal wants satisfied.  Thus, I conclude that best organization structure depends on what is wanted of it and who wants it.  Although, many have studied such relationships and much can be said it is still nothing but rhetoric with the best story teller holding sway as to what matters.  I expect a theory of society to make the relationship between structure, wants, and outcome more quantitative and less based on opinion and personal experience.

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(C) 2005-2014 Wayne M. Angel.  All rights reserved.