Consensus vs. Unanimous — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 18, 2024
Consensus involves general agreement among a group, often with some dissent, while unanimous means total agreement with no opposition.
Difference Between Consensus and Unanimous
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Consensus is achieved when the majority of a group agrees on a particular issue, suggesting a level of general agreement that is sufficient to move forward. Whereas, a unanimous decision requires all members of the group to agree fully, indicating no dissent is present.
In achieving consensus, groups may still have members who disagree but choose to go along for the sake of unity or progress. On the other hand, unanimity requires every individual’s approval, reflecting absolute agreement.
Consensus is often sought in situations where complete agreement is difficult or unnecessary, emphasizing practicality and cooperation. In contrast, unanimous decisions are typical in contexts where total agreement is crucial, such as jury verdicts in criminal trials.
While consensus allows for some diversity of opinion and can be more inclusive, it may result in decisions that are not fully satisfactory to all. Unanimous decisions, however, ensure that all viewpoints are aligned, which can be more satisfying but harder to achieve.
Consensus-building processes typically involve negotiation and compromise, accommodating differing opinions to a reasonable extent. Conversely, achieving unanimity often requires much more intensive discussion and persuasion to bring all parties to the same viewpoint.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
General agreement among most, not all.
Total agreement by everyone involved.
Level of Agreement
Majority agreement, may include dissent.
Complete agreement without dissent.
Common Contexts
Business decisions, policy making.
Legal decisions, formal resolutions.
Decision Satisfaction
Potentially moderate, as not all agree.
High, as all participants are in favor.
Process
Involves negotiation and compromise.
Requires thorough consensus and alignment.
Compare with Definitions
Consensus
Majority-based decision-making.
They adopted the plan by consensus, with two members abstaining.
Unanimous
Total accord with no opposing views.
The vote was unanimous in favor of increasing the budget.
Consensus
Achieved through negotiation.
After lengthy discussions, a consensus was finally achieved.
Unanimous
Agreement by all parties involved.
The decision to hire the new CEO was unanimous.
Consensus
A general agreement among a group.
The team reached a consensus on the marketing strategy despite a few objections.
Unanimous
Reflecting complete harmony in opinion.
The committee's unanimous agreement simplified the process.
Consensus
Informal agreement process.
Through an informal consensus, the committee decided to postpone the event.
Unanimous
Requires full consensus.
It was a rare occasion when the council's decision was unanimous.
Consensus
Non-unanimous collective decision.
The board's consensus was enough to proceed with the new policy.
Unanimous
Often used in formal settings.
The board passed the resolution with a unanimous vote.
Consensus
An opinion or position reached by a group as a whole
"Among political women ... there is a clear consensus about the problems women candidates have traditionally faced" (Wendy Kaminer). See Usage Note at redundancy.
Unanimous
Sharing the same views or opinions, and being in harmony or accord.
We were unanimous: the President had to go.
Consensus
General agreement or accord
Government by consensus.
Unanimous
Sharing the same opinions or views; being in complete harmony or accord.
Consensus
A process of decision-making that seeks widespread agreement among group members.
Unanimous
Based on or characterized by complete assent or agreement.
Consensus
General agreement among the members of a given group or community, each of which exercises some discretion in decision-making and follow-up action.
After years of debate over the best wine to serve at Thanksgiving, no real consensus has emerged.
Unanimous
Based on unanimity, assent or agreement.
The debate went on for hours, but in the end the decision was unanimous.
Consensus
(computing) An agreement on some data value that is needed during computation.
Unanimous
Being of one mind; agreeing in opinion, design, or determination; consentient; not discordant or dissentient; harmonious; as, the assembly was unanimous; the members of the council were unanimous.
Consensus
(attributive) Average projected value.
A financial consensus forecast
Unanimous
Formed with unanimity; indicating unanimity; having the agreement and consent of all; agreed upon without the opposition or contradiction of any; as, a unanimous opinion; a unanimous vote.
Consensus
(ambitransitive) To seek consensus; to hold discussions with the aim of reaching mutual agreement.
Unanimous
In complete agreement;
A unanimous decision
Consensus
Agreement; accord; consent.
That traditional consensus of society which we call public opinion.
Unanimous
Acting together as a single undiversified whole;
A solid voting bloc
Consensus
Agreement in the judgment or opinion reached by a group as a whole;
The lack of consensus reflected differences in theoretical positions
Those rights and obligations are based on an unstated consensus
Common Curiosities
Is consensus easier to achieve than unanimous agreement?
Yes, since consensus does not require every participant's agreement, it is generally easier to achieve.
Why is unanimity important in legal settings?
Unanimity is crucial in legal settings like jury verdicts to ensure absolute fairness and agreement on the verdict.
What is the main difference between consensus and unanimous?
Consensus is general agreement among most, whereas unanimous is agreement by all without dissent.
How do groups typically reach a consensus?
Groups reach consensus through discussion, negotiation, and sometimes compromise among members.
Can unanimity be counterproductive?
Yes, insisting on unanimity can sometimes suppress diverse viewpoints and discourage healthy debate.
Does a unanimous decision always mean a better decision?
Not necessarily; while it indicates total agreement, it may not always result in the best decision if not all options are thoroughly considered.
Can a decision be considered unanimous with one dissenting opinion?
No, unanimous decisions require complete agreement from all parties.
What role does compromise play in achieving consensus?
Compromise is essential in consensus as it involves reconciling differing opinions to reach a majority agreement.
What are the disadvantages of striving for unanimity?
Striving for unanimity can be time-consuming and may stall decision-making if complete agreement cannot be achieved.
Is consensus valid if a small group disagrees?
Yes, consensus is still valid as it focuses on majority agreement, not total agreement.
How do formal organizations use unanimity?
Formal organizations often require unanimity for critical decisions to ensure complete support and agreement.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
