Agreement without desireSourced
Everyone agrees, yet nobody really wants it
The Abilene paradox describes a group choosing an action that its members do not actually prefer. Each person mistakenly thinks the others want it and holds back objections. The apparent agreement can be built from several private reservations.
A chorus of yes can conceal a roomful of doubts.
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Abilene paradox · Wikimedia contributors
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Reviewed: 2026-10-05