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?General assembly (rada) of Cossacks in the Sich elected and deposed the kish otaman, judge, scribe and osaul, usually annually; kurins elected their own otamans.Popular assemblyRecall electionGrand Council of 50 chiefs chosen by clan mothers; questions pass between groups of nations, each seeking unanimity, with the Onondaga Firekeepers confirming or resolving disagreement.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' assembly
How are conflicts resolved?Customary justice by the starshyna and the rada; harsh punishments for crimes against comrades; mediation by officers between kurins.The Confederacy describes the Grand Council as resolving disputes among the nations and planning for the welfare of all the people.Balanced briefing materials, trained neutral moderators and competing experts structured disagreement.
How are public goods funded?Common fishing, hunting and pasture lands allotted to kurins; treasury from trade levies, foreign pay and booty funded church, school and artillery.UnknownPrivately funded; produced published results, media coverage and a peer-reviewed study.
How is AI used?None; an early-modern polity.No documented AI role.No AI role.
What are the main risks?Dependence on war and booty, domination by wealthy officers, violent assemblies, and destruction by stronger neighbouring states.CLM-0368Operates alongside US and Canadian governments, which limits its practical jurisdiction; its rule of unanimity within and between blocs requires broad agreement.CLM-0117CLM-0118Self-selection into attendance; artificial setting; analysis by the method's designers; no institutional uptake.

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