Polity Atlas

How each model solves the same problems

Instead of “democracy versus anarchism”, compare the concrete ways collective problems get solved.

Question✕✕✕
How are decisions made?Assembly of male citizens voted on laws and policy; a Council of 500 chosen by lot prepared its agenda; most offices were filled by lot, generals by election.Popular assemblySortition / citizens' assemblyTerm limits and rotation of officeEach listed body sets its own well-being objectives and steps; the Welsh Ministers publish national indicators and a future trends report after each election.A statutory authority (UIDAI) under the central government sets rules; ministries decide where Aadhaar is required; Parliament legislated in 2016 and 2019.Digital identity
How are conflicts resolved?Large citizen juries selected by lot judged cases; ostracism could send a prominent citizen away for ten years without trial.The Commissioner may review a body and recommend; the body must take reasonable steps to follow or publish reasons (s 22). The Auditor General examines application of the principle.Grievance channels at UIDAI and service agencies; constitutional challenges in the Supreme Court, which ruled in 2017 and 2018.
How are public goods funded?Pay for Assembly, Council and jury service came from public funds; wealthy citizens also financed festivals and warships through liturgies.Covers the Welsh Ministers, local authorities, health boards, national park authorities and other listed bodies; public services boards plan locally.A universal, low-cost proof of identity used for welfare transfers, financial inclusion and public services.
How is AI used?No documented AI role.No documented AI role.No AI in decision-making as such; automated biometric matching and deduplication decide authentication, and face authentication was added in 2018.
What are the main risks?Narrow citizen body; swings of opinion and demagoguery in the Assembly; dependence on empire and war; conquest by Macedon.Soft 'follow or explain' enforcement; procedural compliance; difficulty measuring long-term and preventative benefits.Exclusion through authentication failures, data leaks, surveillance and profiling, weak independent oversight and function creep.CLM-0544

This illustrates differences in design; it is not a universal claim about outcomes. Each cell links to mechanisms and the claims behind them.