In The Dictator’s Handbook the authors gave 5 rules for rulers, which I thought encapsulated the core of the theory’s conclusions very well. So I tried to write a similar thing for the other groups, and it was supposed to be the last subsection of the Conclusions section, but I wasn’t happy with what I came up. I still like the idea though, so I’m posting it here as a comment. I might go back and edit later, and I’d be happy to hear ideas on how to improve it. If it ever gets good enough I might add it back to the post.
The Rules of Politics
The Rules for Rulers (from the dictator’s handbook):
The smaller the winning coalition, the fewer people to satisfy to remain in control.
Having a large selectorate gives a pool of potential people to replace dissenters in coalition.
Maintain control of revenue flows to redistribute to your friends.
But only pay friends enough that they will not consider overthrowing you and at the same time little enough so that they depend on you.
Don’t take your friends’ money and redistribute it to the masses.
Rules for Coalition Members:
Be irreplaceable.
When the coalition is small make it smaller, when it’s large make it larger.
Strive for a coalition and a selectorate of similar size.
If the coalition is small, do so by shrinking the selectorate.
If the coalition is large, do so by further expanding it.
Rules for Selectorate Members:
Try to shrink the selectorate unless that would shrink the coalition as well.
Don’t expand the selectorate without expanding the coalition
Rules for Disenfranchised Residents
The coalition size is the national property that determines your welfare—not wealth.
When the coalition is small, look for good opportunities to revolt or escape—you have no other options.
In The Dictator’s Handbook the authors gave 5 rules for rulers, which I thought encapsulated the core of the theory’s conclusions very well. So I tried to write a similar thing for the other groups, and it was supposed to be the last subsection of the Conclusions section, but I wasn’t happy with what I came up. I still like the idea though, so I’m posting it here as a comment. I might go back and edit later, and I’d be happy to hear ideas on how to improve it. If it ever gets good enough I might add it back to the post.
The Rules of Politics
The Rules for Rulers (from the dictator’s handbook):
The smaller the winning coalition, the fewer people to satisfy to remain in control.
Having a large selectorate gives a pool of potential people to replace dissenters in coalition.
Maintain control of revenue flows to redistribute to your friends.
But only pay friends enough that they will not consider overthrowing you and at the same time little enough so that they depend on you.
Don’t take your friends’ money and redistribute it to the masses.
Rules for Coalition Members:
Be irreplaceable.
When the coalition is small make it smaller, when it’s large make it larger.
Strive for a coalition and a selectorate of similar size.
If the coalition is small, do so by shrinking the selectorate.
If the coalition is large, do so by further expanding it.
Rules for Selectorate Members:
Try to shrink the selectorate unless that would shrink the coalition as well.
Don’t expand the selectorate without expanding the coalition
Rules for Disenfranchised Residents
The coalition size is the national property that determines your welfare—not wealth.
When the coalition is small, look for good opportunities to revolt or escape—you have no other options.
If you’re behind the veil of ignorance:
Include everyone in the selectorate, immigrants too.
Make the coalition as large as possible.