Tweederde

Tweederde is a fictional governance and collaboration concept described in speculative design and thought experiments about decision making. The term is used to illustrate a decision rule that combines a two-thirds voting threshold with structured minority input. The name draws on Dutch roots, twee (two) and derde (third), signaling the central idea that major outcomes require broad support while considering minority perspectives.

In a typical tweederde workflow, a proposal is distributed to participants and subjected to two votes. Approval requires at least two-thirds of valid votes in favor. If the threshold is not met, a formal feedback phase follows, during which dissenters submit amendments and clarifications. After revisions, a second vote is held, with the possibility of further rounds within predefined limits.

Advantages include greater legitimacy for decisions and stronger minority protections compared with simple majority rules, as well as a mechanism to prevent rash outcomes. Challenges include potential gridlock, longer cycles, and the need for skilled facilitation. Effective tweederde implementations specify thresholds, timeframes, disclosure practices, and clear procedures for dealing with abstentions and strategic voting.

See also: consensus decision-making, supermajority, deliberative democracy, two-thirds rule.