Konsensus

Konsensus is a state or process of general agreement within a group, organization, or community achieved through discussion and negotiation. The term is the Indonesian and Malay form of the English word consensus, itself from Latin consensus meaning a coming together in feeling or agreement.

In practice, konsensus emphasizes broad support rather than coercive imposition. It aims for broad or near-unanimous acceptance after deliberation, though many environments allow for substantial agreement without unanimity. Methods vary from informal, consensus-seeking conversations to formal deliberative procedures that require documented agreement.

Common settings include politics and diplomacy (treaties, coalition agreements, and joint statements), corporate governance and policy-making (board decisions, strategic plans), and community organizing. In science and academia, the term scientific consensus refers to the widespread professional judgment that a conclusion reflects the best-supported interpretation of the evidence.

Typically, konsensus is reached through structured dialogue, proposal and revision rounds, and careful listening to objections, with the goal of addressing concerns until most participants can accept the outcome. It contrasts with decision-making by majority vote, though in practice many organizations use a mix of methods.

Critiques note that consensus processes can be time-consuming and may privilege more influential voices, risking tokenism or the suppression of minority perspectives. Proponents argue it can produce more durable, legitimate decisions and reduce polarization. In Indonesian contexts, konsensus is closely linked with musyawarah mufakat, a tradition of deliberation to achieve mutual agreement rather than ruling by fiat.