Legacy Architectures

A Brief History of Tradtional Government Models

Traditional or "legacy" government models are failing or have failed. They are all grossly inadequate for unlocking full human potential. Many of them were immoral or violated collective well-being. Historically, our species has experimented with a limited number of governmental forms and structures. Even the most recent innovations in government (democracy) have not resulted in rigorous testing and experimentation. It is ironic to think that we went through the Enlightenment in the 18th century to "perfect" the scientific method, but we never perfected governance and social organization. Democracy was reintroduced in the United States with its rebellion against the Crown of England, but vastly different governance ideas were not considered or tried during that critical bifurcation point. It was almost as if "democracy" was an ad-hoc decision by the Founding Fathers. Then, of course, democracy was mostly copied and pasted by other countries globally. There was an implicit assumption that it was the best form of government. They believed it would promote the most civil and economic freedom for the individual. That was an untested, dangerous hypothesis.

"Democracy is the worship of jackals by jackasses"

-H.L. Mencken

Overall, governance or government has not been viewed empirically; it has not been subject to experimental conditions and methodologies. Instead, government models have been unjustly forced on the rest of the population, with their contracts and constitutions retroactively binding all of posterity. These are the types of government forms human beings have suffered under since the beginning of written history:

Legacy Government Formations

1. Tribalism / Chiefdoms (Prehistory to 10,000 BCE):

   • The earliest form of social organization is usually small kin-based groups led by elders or chiefs. Authority is often based on age, wisdom, and strength.

2. Monarchy (10,000 BCE to Present in some regions):

   • Originating with early civilizations like Babylon and Ancient Egypt, monarchies were established by a king or queen, often believed to have divine right or religious backing. Monarchy spread globally, from the ancient empires of Asia to the kingdoms of Europe.

3. Oligarchy (600 BCE - Present in different forms):

   • Power is concentrated among a small, elite group. This practice was first found in Greek city-states like Sparta and later in various forms worldwide, including aristocratic and military oligarchies.

4. Democracy (Direct) (500 BCE - 400 BCE in Ancient Greece, continuing in some modern examples):

   • First practiced in Athens, direct democracy allowed citizens (though limited in scope to male property owners) to vote directly on laws and policies. This form persisted primarily in smaller communities and some aspects of modern local governance.

5. Republic (Representative Democracy) (500 BCE - Present):

   • Originating in Ancient Rome, a republic involves elected representatives rather than direct rule by citizens. Republics expanded significantly during the Enlightenment and spread worldwide as a preferred system in modern times.

6. Feudalism (800 - 1500 CE):

   • Dominant in medieval Europe, feudalism was a hierarchical system with lords and vassals. Governance was decentralized, based on land holdings, with monarchs at the top and serfs at the bottom.

7. Theocracy (Ancient World to Present):

   • Government led by religious leaders or guided by religious law was practiced in various ancient societies, such as Egypt and Israel, as well as in some modern states. Authority is believed to come from divine power.

8. Absolute Monarchy (1500 - 1800 CE):

   • Developed from traditional monarchies, especially in Europe. Rulers held centralized, unchecked power, as seen in France under Louis XIV. The rise of Enlightenment ideas challenged this form.

9. Constitutional Monarchy (1600s - Present):

   • Monarchs rule alongside an elected parliament or under a constitution, limiting their power. They originated in England after the Glorious Revolution and remain in countries like the UK, Japan, and Norway.

10. Dictatorship (20th Century - Present):

    • Emerging prominently in the 20th century, leaders were exercising absolute power, often in totalitarian states. Examples include Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and various autocratic regimes globally.

1. Communism (One-Party State) (20th Century - Present)"

   • Based on Marxist-Leninist principles, communism became a prominent system post-1917 Russian Revolution. One-party rule under communist ideology spread to various countries, including the Soviet Union, China, and Cuba.

1. Parliamentary Democracy (19th Century - Present):

   • In a parliamentary democracy, the executive derives legitimacy from and is accountable to the legislature (parliament). It was developed in the UK and later spread widely.

1. Federalism (18th Century - Present):

   • Adopted in the United States and other large nations, federalism divides powers between national and subnational governments, allowing states or regions autonomy.

1. Social Democracy (20th Century - Present):

   • Combining democratic governance with a strong welfare state, social democracy spread in Europe and other regions, emphasizing economic equality through taxation and public services.