...

I have heard this line of argument a few times now from people advocating some form of quick and easy de-adminship without resorting to arbitration. In general, I think we already readily give adminship to those who are nominated, and anyone who has a close call on their first try will normally pass overwhelmingly after waiting a month or two. I invite anyone who believes the argument above to point me to a case where having an easier de-adminship process would have made the difference in the success of an adminship nomination.

We could be more generous in seeking out candidates and making nominations, of course, but that's a different matter. There are many good users out there who are just waiting for a nomination.

--Michael Snow

The process of getting an adminship is currently political, and religious, with confession of past offenses, absolution by votes, self promotion of past accomplishments and back slapping by cronies. It some ways it is a bit unseemly. It should be automatic and an opportunity to serve rather than for status. Many serve just as well or better within editing privileges, although many admins make invaluable contributions to the community and should feel a sense of accomplishment.

      -- Silverback

Unsurprisingly, non-admins (particularly those who have had run-ins with admins) complain regularly that it is too hard to become an admin, that the de-adminning process is non-functional and instead needs to become almost automatic at the first hint of controversy, and that this has resulted in Wikipedia being inundated with rogue admins who spend most of their time oppressing and violating the rights of simple, hard-working Wikipedians.

I suppose, to be fair, I must also note that it is generally the hundreds of admins who feel that these kinds of charges are gross exaggerations at best.

Jay.