# Introduction Rest here weary traveler!

*This wiki represents a perpetual, indefatigable work in progress. Expect blank pages, question marks, and gaps. It is a growing and evolving codex of information. It is the knowledge base for how we organize and cooperate. It is about decision-making, political sensemaking, and the bounds of reason in human coordination. We started this work because we are in a governance crisis. To alleviate this crisis, **Polis Laboratories is a nonprofit research institute formed to expand our epistemological foothold and enable collective survivability** as we move into a world more populated by megalomaniacs, warmongers, deepfakes, autonomous weapons, and mass media hysteria. We intend to expand this knowledge base to give all peoples a lexicon for understanding how our organizational implementations improve or degrade based on rigorous experimentation in governance across the landscape of emergent independent societies and network states.* > "When it was announced that the Library contained all books, the first reaction was unbounded joy. All men felt themselves to be the masters of an intact and secret treasure." > > -Jorge Luis Borges, > > [The Library of Babel](https://sites.evergreen.edu/politicalshakespeares/wp-content/uploads/sites/226/2015/12/Borges-The-Library-of-Babel.pdf) > “We must build a strong intellectual fabric that inoculates us and fosters resilience, as well as equipping us with the means to be effective in our work.” > > -[The Dark Fi Book](https://darkrenaissance.github.io/darkfi/) # A Post-Moloch Laboratory Groking Polis Labs and our vision for the future of governance. Welcome to the world's hub for parallel governance, independent societies, and network states. This portal represents the premiere touchpoint for educating the world on the most current, novel, and exciting innovations in governance being explored on the edges of polite society. Note that these forms of governance are often extralegal, experimental, and even radical, based on nascent interdisciplinary findings from blockchain, artificial intelligence, biotech, and more. {% hint style="info" %} **Parallel governance is a form of rule-making and organizing that exists outside the nation-state but is not necessarily against it.** {% endhint %} Polis Labs focuses on educating the population away from the idea that democracy is the one-size-fits-all solution for governance or the most optimal choice to generate human freedom. Years of hard-earned research in psychology, game theory, behavioral economics, and neuroscience are positioned to inform the next wave of experimental governance solutions. \ \ Our overarching vision is to prevent multipolar traps and coordination failures from occurring and undermining the nascent network state movement. Major organizations are analyzing possibilities for catastrophic global risk, including threats from artificial intelligence, biotech, and climatological change. This is where we come in: our research retains a deep and abiding understanding of Moloch dynamics in game theory, which we believe is needed to prevent catastrophic failures in emergent governance systems. Let's define Moloch dynamics because we will often return to that concept. ***

*** **Moloch Dynamics**\ \ Moloch dynamics refers to the concept where individual rational actors make decisions that lead to collectively undesirable outcomes, often due to competition for resources or lack of coordination. Named after the ancient Canaanite deity, Moloch is associated with demands for costly sacrifices; these dynamics illustrate how competitive environments can lead to suboptimal or destructive results despite each actor striving for their own benefit. Understanding and mitigating Moloch dynamics is vital for creating governance systems that avoid multipolar pitfalls and promote collective success. #### Synonyms for Moloch Dynamics: * **Tragedy of the Commons**: A situation where individuals acting in their own interest deplete shared resources, leading to collective loss. * **Race to the Bottom**: Competitive lowering of standards or regulations resulting in negative outcomes. * **Prisoner's Dilemma**: A scenario where rational individuals choose personal gain over mutual cooperation, worsening the overall situation. * **Zero-Sum Game**: An environment where one party's gain equates to another's loss, often fostering competition over collaboration. * **Collective Action Problem**: Challenges in organizing individuals to achieve a common goal due to conflicting interests. ### Learn more


Parallel Polis	Types of Poleis	Structures
Governance	Governance Frameworks	Governance
References	Sources and References	Network State

# The Polis

The Polis is translated as "city" in Greek. The ancients knew the "city" as a "city-state," but to think of the Polis as just a city or city-state does a great disservice to the terminology. The city-state symbolizes independent governance, experimentation, innovation, philosophical exploration, and aesthetic variety. The Athenian city-state birthed Western culture and values. In one sense, ancient Athens represents the invention of meta-cognition, the ability to think about thinking. The Polis resonates with such power because it ultimately manifests collective intelligence. The ancient polis was a place that empowered knowledge brokers and intellectual entrepreneurs. It is an alchemical artifact of enduring value and beauty. In all of ancient Greece, each city-state had the ability to self-govern and to define themselves as autonomous entities. With certainty, these city-states were imperfect and suffered the vagaries of ancient prejudices and barbarism. Nonetheless, the fact that each city-state possessed a degree of political sovereignty allowed for the flourishing of human ingenuity. They were ages ahead of their time. {% hint style="info" %} **Polis**\ /ˈpɒlɪs'/\ \ *noun* 1. a city-state in ancient Greece, especially as considered in its ideal form for philosophical purposes. {% endhint %} As a species, we are vying to return to the Athenian spirit; we are reimagining life in the polis. In other words, we are undergoing a reexamination of governance. We are rethinking the nobility and use of decentralization, miniaturization, and localization in governance. The smaller the scale of human societies and the more political autonomy, the more creativity gets unlocked. In a way, the development of the polis was a watershed moment in human existence. At Polis Labs, we decided to take the namesake from the Greek city-state as this ideal model for governance and thus our organization's name. However, naysayers quickly note that in some cultures and languages, "polis" means *police*. We find the semantic coincidence humorous because police can represent anti-governance in totalitarian regimes. They are established authorities that violate individual autonomy and rights. They are antithetical to and discontinuous with the philosophical idea of the liberated city-state. In a paradoxical and contradictory sense, we gladly accept the linguistic *faux pas* as a badge of honor. We are essentially invoking the intent of the polis to consume the malintent of authoritarianism. Indeed, we are assimilating police into the polis and establishing good governance anew. # The Citadel A Dark Metaphor for Defensive Governance

The citadel is an ancient structure. It is a monolith that penetrates the sky and symbolizes steadfast resilience. It can be seen as a fortification and manifestation of protective energy. The Citadel is a metaphor for defensive governance and high-tech sigils that ward off evil. It is impregnable and impenetrable, representing significant defenses against Moloch, multipolar traps, and coordination failures. \ \ It is no wonder that, coincidentally, the [Praxis](https://www.praxisnation.com/) ecosystem showcases the Citadel as the hero image on its website. It is a massive crystalline citadel, exposing its magical properties and formidable nature. The citadel possesses an almost occult, futuristic quality, as well as a deep architectonic beauty that surpasses time, space, and memory. The Citadel is both within and without nature; it is a relic and myth simultaneously. {% hint style="info" %} ***Citadel***\ /ˈsɪtəd(ə)l,ˈsɪtədɛl/\ \ *noun* 1. a fortress, typically one on high ground above a city {% endhint %} \ Some people have seen our imagery and aesthetic of the Citadel at Polis Labs and asked why it is so dark and spooky. Here is the answer. We live in a sanitized and anesthetized world where everything is fake, off-white, alien, and clinical. All the imagery is simulacra and simulation, to use Jean Baudrilliard's terminology. Many objects, companies, and fetishes are ersatz versions of themselves, clockwork things devoid of depth, life, and soul. \ \ The darkness, the night, and the black on our page represent unvarnished truth. Our monochromatic élan stresses the reality of the cold universe and expresses strength and elegance in all things real, tangible, and honest. Indeed, some of the greatest evil only manifested because it was underwritten by deceit in technicolor. Sometimes, a highly colorized world is a facsimile — reality cannibalized and regurgitated as balderdash — as hokum. Indeed, the truth is harsh, cut in deep ebony, but also liberating to the point of sublime, exhilarating ecstasy. \ \ Polis Labs is the Citadel of novel governance structures and the strength to defend against corruption, enmity, Moloch, and apoptosis. Above all, Polis seeks to return the world to a place of balanced truth, magnanimity, and equanimity. The Citadel is, indeed, our North Star and our ancient, indisputable truth. # Parallel Polis The Parallel Polis and Independent Society Superstructure

Meta-containers and containers (each structure houses unique governance modals).

## What is the Parallel Polis? The idea of a parallel polis is rooted in establishing an independent, self-sustaining system that operates alongside the conventional political, social, and economic frameworks. This concept was notably articulated by dissident thinkers such as Václav Benda during the Communist regime in Czechoslovakia. The parallel polis envisions a society where individuals and communities can freely create and explore alternative models of governance, economic practices, and cultural exchanges. A parallel polis seeks to address deficiencies in existing systems by fostering autonomy and reducing reliance on centralized authorities. This is achieved by establishing independent institutions that embody democratic principles, promote civil liberties, and encourage social innovation. Such institutions can include alternative educational systems, independent financial mechanisms, cooperative businesses, art collectives, and robust social networks. The goal of a parallel polis is not necessarily to overthrow the prevailing system but to provide a platform for experimentation and empowerment, allowing people to engage with ideas and practices that better align with their values and aspirations. By cultivating a space for diverse thought and community-driven initiatives, the parallel polis serves as both a critique of and a complement to mainstream structures, offering a vision for a more participatory and resilient society. # Containers ## # Network State The term "Network State" is the most popular phrase used to describe a parallel polis or parallel society. Balaji Srinivasan coined the term in his book The Network State. He said, > "A network state is a highly aligned online community with a capacity for collective action that crowdfunds territory around the world and eventually gains diplomatic recognition from pre-existing states." \
# Startup Society # Crypto Libertaria # Intentional Community # 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. 11. **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. 12. **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. 13. **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. 14. **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.

## # DeGov An Introduction to Decentralized Governance Frameworks # The Directional Protocol # Network Nations # Network Sovereignties An Ontological Framework # Neo-Monarchism # Literature Review # Death Athletic