How "Tribal Democracy" operates within modern democracy?

A personal perspective based on personal life experience
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Tribal Democracy means, a modern system of governance (democracy) that operates within tribal societies, that is to say, modern democracy within tribal society. By this, it means modern democracy operates and is operable/ applicable within tribal peoples. 

The other side of the statement is, "How Modern Democracy" operates within Tribal Democracy?" This question is to do with bringing modern democracy and incorporating modern democracy into tribal systems of governance. This is different from operating Tribal Democracy within modern democracy, i.e., incorporating values and principles of tribal democracy into modern democratic live.

I have seen, and even practiced tribal democracy, ie, democracy that existed and still exists in my tribal life being operational within modern democracy. One simple example is to do with reading agreement and/or consensus. 

In our traditional system, we never known the voting system and veto system. What we knew before is having intensive, extensive and prolonged discussions within hours, days, weeks, even years on certain issues, until nobody strongly rejects the idea being proposed. There is no open agreement, but what the leaders closely notice during discussions is "whether or not refusal/ disagreement is strong", "whether or not those disagree with the proposal have strong arguments".

Tribal elders will always give clues and reviews and comments on what have been discussed in previous meetings, but they never explicitly pro and against any of the differing ideas/ proposals. 

Their task is to wait until nobody strongly refuses/ disagrees.

To this point, the final conclusion, agreement might not be the same as the original proposal or intention. It might end up in totally the opposite of the original proposal. This never become a problem for the tribal elder.

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Now, when the modern system of voting and vetoing became known to my tribe, right now they are practiced. Normally the elders will say, "We will have this discussion only for a week, and then we will vote. If the voting does not have a majority then I will determine which one is the best for us." Some of the times, the elder will say, "You will have your say, but finally I will also say my opinion." This actually means, "I will veto."

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There are many examples, but this one at least gives a glimpse into how tribal peoples are incorporating modern democratic principles into our democratic operations/ democratic life.
Irish Honorary, Tribesperson
skaroba@yahoo.com