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 30-member Lagting elected by proportional representation for four years; a government responsible to it. Acts of Åland can be vetoed by the President of Finland only on competence or security grounds. | A 28-member General Council (half elected by parish, half by national list) elects the head of government; the co-princes sanction laws with countersignature. | Kings of small kingdoms (túatha) under over-kings; assemblies (óenach); customary law expounded by hereditary jurists rather than legislated. | |
| How are conflicts resolved? | The joint Åland Delegation gives opinions on competence and finance; the Supreme Court of Finland may be consulted on vetoes. Amending the Act needs both parliaments. | A four-member Constitutional Tribunal appointed by the co-princes and the General Council; ordinary courts. | Brehon judges; sureties (naidm, ráth, aitire); distraint of livestock; ritual fasting against higher-ranking defendants; body-fines and honour-price compensation.Arbitration | |
| How are public goods funded? | Education, health, social services, culture and local policing are run by Åland, funded by a formula-based settlement and returned income and corporate taxes. | Health, education and infrastructure funded by indirect, corporate and personal taxes; parishes run local services. | Rules on shared grazing, co-operative ploughing, mills and fencing; obligatory hospitality; churches and monasteries; few public works. | |
| How is AI used? | No specific role for AI in the autonomy arrangement. | No specific role for AI. | None; a medieval legal order. | |
| What are the main risks? | Erosion of competences through state law or EU law; exclusion of newer residents by domicile rules; pressure on demilitarisation after Finland's NATO accession. | Clash between the episcopal co-prince and legislation such as abortion; exclusion of non-citizens; dependence on France, Spain and the EU. | Status-graded and unequal protection, unfree labour, endemic raiding and dynastic war, and vulnerability to a centralising conqueror.CLM-0385 |
This illustrates differences in design; it is not a universal claim about outcomes. Each cell links to mechanisms and the claims behind them.