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 directly elected President and Executive Council; a House of Representatives with constituency seats plus reserved seats for women and former combatants; community governments including chiefs. | 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. | Unknown | |
| How are conflicts resolved? | Joint consultation between the ABG and the national government under the Peace Agreement; customary reconciliation at community level; outside moderation on the referendum outcome. | A four-member Constitutional Tribunal appointed by the co-princes and the General Council; ordinary courts. | Unknown | |
| How are public goods funded? | Health, education and roads delivered with limited capacity, funded mainly by national grants; mining revenue is hoped for but contested. | Health, education and infrastructure funded by indirect, corporate and personal taxes; parishes run local services. | Unknown | |
| How is AI used? | No specific role for AI in the autonomy arrangement. | No specific role for AI. | Unknown | |
| What are the main risks? | Frustration over delayed ratification; fiscal dependence; conflict over reopening the Panguna mine; residual armed groups. | Clash between the episcopal co-prince and legislation such as abortion; exclusion of non-citizens; dependence on France, Spain and the EU. | Unknown |
This illustrates differences in design; it is not a universal claim about outcomes. Each cell links to mechanisms and the claims behind them.