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? | Founder-led: Noyes had final authority, with daily evening meetings, standing committees and departments running work and community business. | State legislature and governor set the dividend through the budget process. | Each listed body sets its own well-being objectives and steps; the Welsh Ministers publish national indicators and a future trends report after each election. | |
| How are conflicts resolved? | Mutual criticism before the whole community or a committee, the subject listening without replying. Noyes wrote that persistent refusal led to withdrawal or expulsion. | Unknown | 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. | |
| How are public goods funded? | Common property, shared dining, communal child care in a children's department, and industries supporting all members. | Returns of a publicly owned investment fund.Sovereign wealth fund dividend | Covers the Welsh Ministers, local authorities, health boards, national park authorities and other listed bodies; public services boards plan locally. | |
| How is AI used? | No documented AI role. | No documented AI role. | No documented AI role. | |
| What are the main risks? | Dependence on a charismatic leader; social control through criticism; limits on members' freedom to refuse sexual advances; the stirpiculture programme; external hostility; succession. | Political pressure to use fund earnings for the state budget instead of dividends. | Soft 'follow or explain' enforcement; procedural compliance; difficulty measuring long-term and preventative benefits. |
This illustrates differences in design; it is not a universal claim about outcomes. Each cell links to mechanisms and the claims behind them.