4 ms·

In Japan, there is a concept of Nemawashi, which is the building of consensus privately in advance of any public conversations to avoid the appearance of disagr

In Japan, there is a concept of Nemawashi, which is the building of consensus privately in advance of any public conversations to avoid the appearance of disagreement or uncertainty. Not condoning the practice but there are some settings where you should only ask questions if you are already sure of the answer you will get.

letitbeirie 4y ago
> some settings where you should only ask questions if you are already sure of the answer you will get "In open court" is one of those settings that springs to mind
antognini 4y ago
By contrast in California this is explicitly forbidden under the Brown Act. State and local political officials are not allowed to communicate privately with enough members of a legislative body to form a quorum.
- Terretta 4y ago
  Does anyone think that law is respected?
- metadat 4y ago
  This sounds wonderful in theory. How often does this get exposed and enforced in real life?
  - antognini 4y ago
    Brown Act violations do get exposed every so often and usually result in the action that was being discussed getting reversed. Its most commonly violated by city council members because city councils are usually small, so it's very easy to violate accidentally. Say you have a five member city council. Council member A emails council member B to get their thoughts on an upcoming item. Then a few days later council member B emails council member C to ask a question about that item. That's a Brown Act violation.
- mikehollinger 4y ago
  > By contrast in California this is explicitly forbidden under the Brown Act. State and local political officials are not allowed to communicate privately with enough members of a legislative body to form a quorum. Oh wow! "Serial Meetings" are defined. That's pretty remarkable. Also - it's good to know. Thanks.
  - antognini 4y ago
    Yes, it turns out to be pretty broad. Three members out of a five member city council all liking the same Facebook comment in a public group about an upcoming item on the city council agenda is enough to constitute a Brown Act violation.

letitbeirie 4y ago

> some settings where you should only ask questions if you are already sure of the answer you will get "In open court" is one of those settings that springs to mind

antognini 4y ago

By contrast in California this is explicitly forbidden under the Brown Act. State and local political officials are not allowed to communicate privately with enough members of a legislative body to form a quorum.

Terretta 4y ago
Does anyone think that law is respected?
metadat 4y ago
This sounds wonderful in theory. How often does this get exposed and enforced in real life?
- antognini 4y ago
  Brown Act violations do get exposed every so often and usually result in the action that was being discussed getting reversed. Its most commonly violated by city council members because city councils are usually small, so it's very easy to violate accidentally. Say you have a five member city council. Council member A emails council member B to get their thoughts on an upcoming item. Then a few days later council member B emails council member C to ask a question about that item. That's a Brown Act violation.
mikehollinger 4y ago
> By contrast in California this is explicitly forbidden under the Brown Act. State and local political officials are not allowed to communicate privately with enough members of a legislative body to form a quorum. Oh wow! "Serial Meetings" are defined. That's pretty remarkable. Also - it's good to know. Thanks.
- antognini 4y ago
  Yes, it turns out to be pretty broad. Three members out of a five member city council all liking the same Facebook comment in a public group about an upcoming item on the city council agenda is enough to constitute a Brown Act violation.