Introduction
People complain about things not being fair, but what people are not clear on is what "fair" is. Another problem with fairness is that its application tends to be subjective and situational, and thus inherently inconsistent. There are at least six ways fairness can be implemented in organizations. All center around who sets the vision and mobilizes resources.
Organizational Schemes
Anarchy
There are no rules, and everyone does whatever they want.
Lowest Common Denominator
Only those activities, ideas, and people unanimously agreed upon by all are acceptable. If even the smallest minority opposes a proposition, it is rejected.
Minority Rule (Dictatorship)
One person or a small group makes the rules, and everyone is expected to abide by them.
Proportionality
Activities, ideas, or people "win" in proportion to the distribution of desires. For instance, if 10% of the people want one thing done, and 90% want something else done, the resources are divided up proportionally between the two groups.
Majority Rules
In the purest sense, this is what democracy is. People vote, and whatever activity, law, or person being decided on that ends up with the most votes wins. The minority is expected to abide by the results.
Theocracy
God makes the rules, and all people are expected to live by them.
Strengths
Anarchy
Offers the most freedom. There is no accountability and no opposition. There are no rules, everything is considered right, and thus there is no wrong, guilt, or shame.
Lowest Common Denominator
Commonalities are found where no one is offended. What is unacceptable is easily identified and tossed aside. Only that which is acceptable remains.
Minority Rule (Dictatorship)
Rules can be quickly established and revised.
Proportionality
Tries to satisfy all participants by giving them a portion of what they want.
Majority Rules
The majority of people are satisfied completely. It is more difficult to corrupt the majority, but not impossible.
Theocracy
God is the only being who makes rules that are impartial and beneficial to all. People live satisfying lives where all their needs are met.
Weaknesses
Anarchy
In its pure form, anarchy eliminates all personal interaction. People's propensity for selfishness tends to harm others. Our natural desire for relationships prevents anarchy from existing on any measurable scale for any length of time. Because of its isolationist characteristic, it is impossible to mobilize resources in anarchy.
Lowest Common Denominator
Allows for only limited interaction. In its pure form, neither the majority nor minority would be able to share in the unique offerings of the other. Only the minimum amount of progress can be accomplished because only rarely is a new idea acceptable to all. Difficulty in reaching consensus increases with the number of individuals involved.
Minority Rule (Dictatorship)
Only the minority is completely satisfied. Oppression results if the minority uses its position to serve itself rather than the interest of the society. It can quickly degenerate into Tyranny where an elite minority is satisfied at the expense of the rest of the population. Bribery and corruption can quickly become a problem.
Proportionality
This rarely pleases everyone. Some projects require resources that exceed the proportion of what is allotted. In some scenarios, resources would be spread too thinly to accomplish any of the goals set forth by any of the groups.
Majority Rules
Can lead to ignoring the needs of the minority. In its extreme, the minority is oppressed or even eliminated.
Theocracy
God has not yet taken control of governing systems. Theocracy is currently limited to individuals or small groups that often have difficulty discerning exactly what God wants them to do. Theocratic subjects currently live within other political systems where conflicts can occur where the two systems do not mesh.