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Governance Theory Behind NAP 9

A practical frame for why NAP 9 is structured the way it is—and why it should keep working when people get busy, angry, or bored.

The Small, Stable Core​

  • Decision groups degrade past ~9–11 members; nine voting seats are the stability sweet spot.
  • Small enough to coordinate; large enough to distribute power and time zones.
  • Associates and the public can observe without slowing decisions.

Separation of Roles​

  • Council = judges (classify behavior, vote outcomes).
  • Clerks = process (evidence, IDs, vote windows, archives).
  • Players/R5s = inputs (reports, compliance, diplomacy).
  • Clear role boundaries reduce bias and collapse points.

Evidence as the Gate​

  • Cases do not exist until logged by a Clerk.
  • Strict inputs (timestamped, uncropped, public submission) defend legitimacy.
  • Tampering and evasion escalate because they attack the system’s trust layer.

Predictable Escalation​

  • Behavior categories (Minor/Moderate/Severe) and automatic triggers prevent ad hoc bargaining.
  • Repetition climbs tiers by rule; evasion/tampering trigger Supermajority review.
  • Predictability teaches caution and reinforces compliance.

Asynchronous Throughput​

  • 24h/16h/8h windows + quorum 5/9 keep momentum across time zones.
  • Early close on full participation rewards active councils.
  • Participation penalties keep seats lively without constant herding.

Land as Infrastructure​

  • L6 rotation is treated like scheduled infrastructure, not loot.
  • Non-Members forfeit land protection to avoid half-protected limbo states.
  • Capitol free-combat remains bounded by consent and restitution.

Adaptation Without Chaos​

  • Supermajority + notice periods + archives → legitimate change.
  • Emergency amendments exist but expire unless ratified, preventing panic rules.
  • Conflict-of-interest recusal keeps amendments from becoming self-dealing.

Social Reality Assumptions​

  • People default to laziness → simplify actions and deadlines.
  • Leaders default to politics → make rules procedural and logged.
  • Memory fades → archive everything.
  • Drama amplifies online → funnel disputes into structured pathways.