Why does normalizing values demand system design?

A system is the way in which policies, contracts, pledges, & norms — and the methodologies of decision-making shaping them — determine how groups coordinate and/or co-operate.

Where norms refer to unstated or implied behaviors, policies, contract structures, and pledges are documents that make explicit how we will behave. When justice, loving care, and solidarity are NOT normal in systems, they must intentionally drive the design of every single organizational policy, contract, and pledge — and the methodologies shaping them. We think making things explicit is where you have to start. If justice ever becomes “normalized,” then it's possible for some things can go unstated.

If we focus on the activities alone (and leave unjust systems intact) we'll never get to the root of the problem. That's why MJN’s mission is to focus entirely studying, designing, practicing, and scale values aligned systems.