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?Company councils elected by workers' assemblies, general industry councils, an Economic Council of Catalonia, and in Aragon a Defence Council.A stratified random sample of 523 voters deliberated in moderated groups and plenaries and answered questionnaires before and after; no decisions were taken.Sortition / citizens' assemblyEach 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?Disputes among unions, parties and the Generalitat were settled politically and, in May 1937 in Barcelona, by armed clashes.Balanced briefing materials, trained neutral moderators and competing experts structured disagreement.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?Collectivised firms ran under union and council management; the Generalitat lowered the working week to 40 hours and ordered a 15% rise for low salaries.Privately funded; produced published results, media coverage and a peer-reviewed study.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 AI role.No documented AI role.
What are the main risks?Civil war and shortages; conflict between unions and parties; coercion in some rural collectives; loss of worker management through state intervention after 1937.CLM-0159Self-selection into attendance; artificial setting; analysis by the method's designers; no institutional uptake.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.