01 · Knowledge Atlas
Switch to graph viewAn encyclopedia of social systems
Theories, political philosophies, economic models, institution types and forms of self-government — each idea traced through theory, real examples, critique and results.
All entries · A–Z
- AI-assisted arbitrationMechanismDispute resolution in which AI systems triage cases, summarise evidence or propose outcomes, with or without a human decision-maker.
- Approval votingMechanismA voting method in which each voter may approve of as many candidates as they wish and the candidate with the most approvals wins. Used in city elections in Fargo (2020–2024) and St. Louis (since 2021).
- ArbitrationMechanismParties submit a dispute to one or more privately chosen arbitrators whose award is binding.
- Community land trustMechanismA nonprofit holds land in trust and sells or leases the buildings on it with resale limits that keep housing affordable.
- Condorcet methodsMechanismRanked-ballot voting methods that elect the candidate who beats every rival in head-to-head majority comparisons, when one exists, and differ in how they resolve cycles. Used mainly in organisations such as the Debian Project.
- Cooperative ownershipMechanismAn enterprise owned and democratically controlled by its members — workers, consumers or residents — usually one member, one vote.
- Digital identityMechanismA government- or community-issued credential that lets people authenticate and sign electronically.
- Exit rightsMechanismThe guaranteed ability of members to leave a polity or organisation, ideally with defined treatment of their assets and obligations.
- FutarchyMechanismRobin Hanson's proposal: vote on values, bet on beliefs — elected bodies define a welfare measure, prediction markets choose policies expected to raise it.
- Harberger taxMechanismOwners self-assess the value of their property, pay tax on that value and must sell to anyone who offers it.
- Initiative and referendumMechanismTools of direct legislation: a citizen initiative puts proposals to a public vote by petition, and a referendum lets voters approve or reject measures. Central in Switzerland and many US states.
- Mixed-member proportional representation (MMP)MechanismVoters cast a local-candidate vote and a party vote; list seats top up parties so total seats match the party vote. Used in Germany's Bundestag and New Zealand, which adopted it by referendum in 1993.
- Participatory budgetingMechanismResidents directly decide how to spend part of a public budget through proposals, deliberation and votes.
- Popular assemblyMechanismAll eligible members meet in person to debate and decide, typically by show of hands or consensus.
- Quadratic fundingMechanismA matching rule for public goods: projects receive matching funds that grow with the number of distinct contributors, not just the amount.
- Quadratic votingMechanismVoters spend voice credits to cast votes; n votes on one issue cost n² credits, letting people express how strongly they care.
- Ranked-choice voting (instant-runoff)MechanismVoters rank candidates; the lowest-placed candidate is eliminated round by round and ballots transfer until one has a majority. Used for Australia's House of Representatives, Maine, Alaska and New York City primaries.
- Recall electionMechanismA procedure by which voters can remove an elected official before the end of the term, usually after a petition and a popular vote. Governors were recalled in North Dakota (1921) and California (2003); Newsom survived in 2021.
- Single transferable vote (STV)MechanismA proportional method for multi-member districts: voters rank candidates, those reaching a quota win, and surplus or eliminated votes transfer. Constitutionally required for Ireland's Dáil; used for the Australian Senate.
- Sortition / citizens' assemblyMechanismA body of citizens selected by lot, usually stratified to reflect the population, who learn, deliberate and recommend.
- Sovereign wealth fund dividendMechanismPaying part of the returns of a publicly owned investment fund directly to residents as a dividend.
- Universal basic incomeMechanismA periodic cash payment to every individual, without means test or work requirement.
- Voluntary taxationMechanismFunding collective services through contributions that members choose whether to make.