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?A presumption that decisions sit at the lowest competent level, with higher levels required to justify intervention.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' assemblyUnknown
How are conflicts resolved?UnknownBalanced briefing materials, trained neutral moderators and competing experts structured disagreement.Unknown
How are public goods funded?Matches the scale of provision to the scale of effects; higher levels step in for spillovers and weak local capacity.Privately funded; produced published results, media coverage and a peer-reviewed study.Unknown
How is AI used?UnknownNo AI role.Unknown
What are the main risks?Indeterminacy about which level is competent; local domination; delay on problems that cross borders.Self-selection into attendance; artificial setting; analysis by the method's designers; no institutional uptake.Unknown

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