Debian - Governance
Description
From Jeremy Malcom:
"One final example of hierarchical ordering in open source software development is found in comparing two similar Linux-based operating system distributions, Debian GNU/Linux and Ubuntu. The Debian project was the first to be established, in 1993. Although not incorporated, an associated incorporated body Software in the Public Interest, Inc (SPI) was formed in 1997 to provide the Debian project (along with various other open source projects) with administrative and legal support. It does not take an active role in the development of the Debian distribution.
The Debian project is led by a Project Leader who is elected by the project’s members, known as its Developers (or Maintainers), for a one year term. The Project Leader presides over a Project Secretary, a Technical Committee of up to eight members, and various other technical positions, all of whom are appointed from amongst the Developers by the Project Leader (save that the Project Leader appoints a new Project Secretary jointly with the incumbent in that role). The process for becoming a Developer is a meritocratic one, the requirements of which are set out in a detailed policy document.[92] As at 2007 there are over 1100 Developers, although many of these are inactive.
The autonomy of the Project Leader is expressly limited by clause 5.3 of the Debian Constitution which provides, “The Project Leader should attempt to make decisions which are consistent with the consensus of the opinions of the Developers” and “should avoid overemphasizing their own point of view when making decisions in their capacity as Leader.” The same applies to the Technical Committee, which is only to make decisions as a last resort, where “efforts to resolve it via consensus have been tried and failed” (clause 6.3.6). Clause 4.1 provides that any decision of the Project Leader may be overruled by a general resolution of the Developers, as may any decision of the Technical Committee by a two thirds majority resolution."
Source: Book: Multi-Stakeholder Governance and the Internet Governance Forum. Jeremy Malcolm. Terminus, 2008, draft of chapter 4.