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? | An unelected Leader with appointment powers over courts, media and half the Guardian Council; an elected president and parliament whose candidates are vetted; the Expediency Council arbitrates. | Each listed body sets its own well-being objectives and steps; the Welsh Ministers publish national indicators and a future trends report after each election. | 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? | The Leader's arbitration among factions; the Expediency Council between parliament and the Guardian Council; revolutionary courts for political cases. | 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. | Balanced briefing materials, trained neutral moderators and competing experts structured disagreement. | |
| How are public goods funded? | Oil-funded subsidies, health, education and social insurance; foundations (bonyads) and IRGC firms provide services and patronage; sanctions constrain provision. | Covers the Welsh Ministers, local authorities, health boards, national park authorities and other listed bodies; public services boards plan locally. | Privately funded; produced published results, media coverage and a peer-reviewed study. | |
| How is AI used? | No algorithmic governance documented; authorities use surveillance cameras and digital tools to enforce hijab rules and track protesters, and impose internet shutdowns. | No documented AI role. | No AI role. | |
| What are the main risks? | War and external strikes, a contested succession, economic crisis under sanctions, shrinking electoral participation, and lethal repression of protest. | Soft 'follow or explain' enforcement; procedural compliance; difficulty measuring long-term and preventative benefits. | Self-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.