--- "steven l. rubenstein" rubenste@ohiou.edu wrote:
My position is this: even if the ArbCom functions flawlessly, I would still argue for a second committee to handle conflicts over content. My main reason is that no committee should have too much power. This is a structural issue -- I am not questioning the integrity of the members of the ArbCom, I just believe that if we are going to institutionalize certain powers in this largely anarchic community, then a separation of powers is a good idea. This is my main reason, but I do agree with 172 that the kind of judgement called for in a committee dealing with content issues is different from that called for in a committee dealing with behavioral issues. Each committee might appeal to different editors who might serve as members; the learning curve would be different, and so on.
Violation of our content guidelines and policies are also behavioral issues concerning users. That is the type of thing that the ArbCom can and *is* already taking care of. We just have been focusing on violations of non-content-related policies and guidelines for most of the committee's existence since those issues are easier to deal with. That is changing due to the increased amount of skill and confidence we have in dealing with issues in general.
It's not a matter of power, it is a matter of needless duplication. Most cases involve some accusation of breaking content guidelines. It would be absurd to put a person through the current ArbCom for one set of offences, and through this proposed committee for another.
-- mav
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