World View and the Decision
Making Process

Aboriginal World View
Traditional Aboriginal societies within North
America were founded upon an holistic and
spiritually-based world view known as the “Sacred
Circle”
 Social organizations within Aboriginal socities reflect
a basic interrelatedness with each other

Indigenous cultures developed political
organizations based on equality and harmony
 Power, authority, and decision making were
decentralized
 The natural autonomy of the individual and the
sovereignty of the group were upheld as social
absolutes


European World View

European societies tend toward a linear, analytical,
and secular world view.
Eurocentric cultures developed political organizations
based on patriarchy and competition
 Power and decision making were centralized
 The rights and autonomy of the individual was deemed to
be of paramount value

Paradigms


Paradigms are patterns of ideas, beliefs, and
values which are used to understand reality
Paradigms help humans understand certain
aspects of reality more clearly and limit the
perception and understanding of other aspects
of reality

Patriarchal Paradigm


Aboriginal Paradigm


Involves the belief that there should be a clear
distinction between the rulers and the ruled with
power flowing from the top of the social hierarchy
to the bottom of the hierarchy
Makes very little distinction between the rulers and
the ruled with power moving from group to group
as the need arises
Liberal Democratic Paradigm

Believes that power is vested in the people and is
awarded to those that can best demonstrate their
right to it