| Summary: | The Antarctic Treaty System operates primarily through consensus. However, increasing membership and associated problems in finding consensus, have led some to question the merits of the system. Analysis through evaluative criteria shows that consensus decision-making is critical to the stability and functioning Of the Antarctic Treaty System. Intangible benefits inherent with consensus decision-making, such as sense Of unity, political stability, common purpose and commitment, are as imponant to the Antarctic Treaty System as are sensible outcomes. Rather than altering the cunent decision-making mechanism, this analysis shows that in- creased focus on the process of enhancing the effectiveness of consensus decision-making is the preferred approach to mitigating these issues. Consensus remains the most stable and appropriate decision-making model for the Antarc- tic Treaty System today. The Antarctic Treaty System operates primarily through consensus. However, increasing membership and associated problems in finding consensus, have led some to question the merits of the system. Analysis through evaluative criteria shows that consensus decision-making is critical to the stability and functioning Of the Antarctic Treaty System. Intangible benefits inherent with consensus decision-making, such as sense Of unity, political stability, common purpose and commitment, are as imponant to the Antarctic Treaty System as are sensible outcomes. Rather than altering the cunent decision-making mechanism, this analysis shows that in- creased focus on the process of enhancing the effectiveness of consensus decision-making is the preferred approach to mitigating these issues. Consensus remains the most stable and appropriate decision-making model for the Antarc- tic Treaty System today.
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