The Wiki Way is the foundation of all our Policy.
That is, any editor -- even an anonymous or new member -- may propose any policy whatsoever. This is done by writing the proposal onto a new page in the Wikipedia namespace. Such a proposal has no effect at first.
From that point on, other editors -- in true wiki fashion -- edit the proposal mercilessly and discuss it at length on the proposal's Talk page. The proposal may persist in substantially stable form, or it may undergo radical revision. Consensus may form in support, or fail to do so. For the new proposal to become accepted by the Community, consensus must support it; otherwise, it remains a mere proposal.
As consensus solidifies and the text of the proposal endures in stable fashion, it carries increasing weight and may be cited as an authority on our Community Policy. Such pages carry a Policy flag for all to see and respect. Edits to such policies are generally reverted; at the extreme, editing may be restricted.
On the other hand, should the text constantly mutate, or oscillate between extremes; should the discussion on its Talk page reveal lack of support; it has little authority and may be safely ignored by all editors.
At the other extreme, when consensus forms solidly opposed to the proposal, then it must be flagged as a failed proposal, and carries no weight at all. The contrary may not be assumed -- a failed proposal to require the wearing of red hats does not demand wear of yellow hats or forbid red ones. However, the proposal, having failed decisively, may not be cited as Policy. It may be used to illustrate or summarize a position taken in debate, but not to support it.
Wisely or not, all policy is subject to change. A given proposal, having been long accepted, may cease to enjoy broad Community support. When consensus is thus withdrawn, the former policy loses authority; eventually, it may be driven down to a status equal to a failed proposal -- that is, it no longer has any authority. This page's flag must be altered to reflect its reduced circumstances.
Kings may become paupers, and paupers kings. Failed proposals are never deleted. As time passes, they may be edited to better suit the needs of the Community and Project. Perhaps these needs themselves may change. It is possible that a formerly failed proposal pass up to the status of Policy -- and again, this new status must be flagged and respected.
No matter the course taken by a proposal, the debate that surrounds it is vital to the integrity of the entire process. This debate must be preserved at all costs. As controversial proposals engender lengthy debate, editors must occasionally archive and refactor to clarify and summarize, and ensure the continued good health of such debate.
This is the Wiki Way. This is our way, the way we have chosen to organize ourselves as a Community and to define our Project, the work we do, and the actions we permit -- warts and all.
Attack and Defense
editOur Community and our Project are defined by the Wiki Way. This is our most cherished principle, superseding all others. No person, no proposal, no page, no law of men or gods may contravene it.
From time to time, various elements within our world may seek to overturn or circumvent the Wiki Way. Foolish proposals may be attacked vigorously, and if so, all is well. Wise proposals may be defended staunchly, and if so, all is well. But any party which attempts to subvert, strangle, or shut off the process of debate and consensus on any element of Policy -- proposed, failed, or accepted -- is an enemy of the entire Community and must be opposed by every effort in our power.
For, if we abandon the Wiki Way, then we abandon our identity. We will no longer be the Wikipedian Community; our Project will no longer be The Free Encyclopedia. We may continue to use those names, but our use will be theft. If our Spirit dies, we will be not even ghosts haunting, but mere barbarians looting the halls of learning.
Thus, we preserve and defend our most basic foundation principle above all others, and to the bitter end.
Above Essay by Xiong.