"Vote calls" and "democracies", that's mob, er, "majority" rules, right? And it really means: "majority of voters" rule (or more accurately: "majority of vote COUNTERS" rule). Actually, democracies, constitutional democracies, republics, capitalist constitutional democracies - they all work differently, and sadly, I find that few people who live within them really understand how they work ... or how that don't work. We only revisit the "what are we/what kind of governance do we have?" question when someone who thought they were in power finds they've been ousted or bested by someone else. Let's define our terms in a way that we all can agree on (oh, is that "consensus"?), but that really requires that we pre-agree to subsequently agree on something that meets a standard, and that's usually called a "constitution" of founding documents or rules (all subject to interpretation by anyone wielding power!). So, if I were to suggest that our terms should be defines by a processional order of references, perhaps like this: Is it in Google [define:x]? Yes, no? Then try Dictionary.com, yes, no? ... and so on. We need more than one place for a definition, and Wikipedia.org probably should NOT be a primary, original research, non-neutral (self concerned) point of view resource for what's acceptable and what's not at Wikipedia.org! Waaaa! So, let's share the meaning of our words before we end up arguing over different things. Then we can argue! ;-) That "should" make sure we're talking about the same thing, and might even reduce arguments. For instance, put 3 people in one room and ask them to define "democracy" and I'll bet in 5 minutes you'll have 6 different answers! Here goes: Consensus = majority (Dictionary.com) Constitution = fundamental set of laws (Dictionary.com) Democracy = people-rule (versus God rules, or the Boss rules, versus anarchy rules, er, where no one rules and there are no rules - Dictionary.com) ... so what do you all think the way it "should" be here on Wikipedia.org? Democracy? Anarchy? Boss-based? Constitution based? In the US, I see a respect for (the evils of) human nature - that everyone will want power - so, in order to prevent anyone from (completely) taking over (forever), they split power across (at least) 3 groups: - rule makers, - rule executers, and - rule assessors. They all refer to a "constitution" which states that all powers come from the people, and the state has no powers except what the people give the state. All three divisions argue over that constitution. The rule makes try to modify it. The rule assessors try to toss out the modifications. The rule executors try to get around it or ignore it. It's not pretty, but, given people's greed and hunger for power, this pivots strong and highly motivated groups of people against each other (rather than against the people and the little guy, which still happens anyway). This all conspires somehow to (a) prevent all hell from breaking loose and (b) maybe actually, occasionally, by accident, perhaps, but maybe actually doing some good ... now and again. Maybe. My point, and I do have one, is for us all to stay *on point*, to refine our understanding of each other, and what words mean to each other, and make sure we're talking about the exact same specific thing before we go off half cocked. Then we can go off half cocked! ;-) -- I thought a wiki was "come one come all". I see some people want ownership, and not just in response to vandalism. So, if we are not a constitutional democracy with division of powers, if we're not a mob, er, "majority" rules organization, then what are we? -- Peter Blaise PS - I think there's a truism to the fact that wikis grow most when so-called "authority" and security are invisible, where anonymity is not an impediment to immediate contribution, and patience, tolerance, acceptance, and equivalent consideration are a well practiced virtues See: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=define%3Aauthority http://www.google.com/search?q=define%3Apatience http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tolerance http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acceptance http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal_consideration_of_interests http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=define%3Avirtue