Asclepian Governance: The Philosopher Kings’ Democracy

In an era of complex global challenges, Asclepian Governance offers a fresh perspective on democracy. This model, which Asclepion aims to implement for its own governance, combines ancient wisdom with modern technology to address the shortcomings of current democratic systems.

How It Works: Education, Reflection, and Voting

At the core of Asclepian Governance is the idea that informed citizens make better decisions. Here’s how it works in practice:

  1. Issue Presentation: When a decision needs to be made, all relevant information is presented to the community.
  2. AI-Assisted Education: Asclepiad, your personal AI companion, helps voters understand the complexities of each issue. This might involve explaining background information, presenting different viewpoints, having discussions and answering questions.
  3. Reflection Period: Participants are given time to think deeply about the issue, discuss with others, and engage in structured debates.
  4. Quadratic Voting: After the education and reflection period, participants cast their votes. To prevent the tyranny of the majority, Asclepian Governance uses a system called quadratic voting. This allows participants to express not just their preferences, but also how strongly they feel about each issue.

Quadratic Voting Explained

Quadratic voting gives each participant a number of “voice credits.” They can allocate these credits to different issues, but the cost of votes increases quadratically. For example:

  • 1 vote costs 1 credit
  • 2 votes cost 4 credits
  • 3 votes cost 9 credits

This system allows people to have a stronger say on issues they care deeply about, while preventing any one group from dominating all decisions.

Transparency and Accountability

Unlike traditional secret ballots, votes in this system are recorded on a blockchain, making them transparent and traceable. This promotes accountability and allows for analysis of decision-making patterns over time.

Global and Local Decision Making

Asclepian Governance recognizes that some decisions affect everyone, while others are more local:

  • Global Decisions: Core principles, worldwide initiatives, and major technological adoptions are voted on by all Asclepiads globally.
  • Local Decisions: Implementation details, cultural adaptations, and local programs are decided by local Asclepiades.

Handling Controversial Topics

For polarizing issues, Asclepian Governance uses a two-tiered approach:

  1. Global ethical guidelines are established through community-wide deliberation and voting.
  2. Local implementation is decided by local communities (Asclepiades), considering local laws, needs and cultural norms.

Practical Application in Asclepion

Asclepion plans to use this governance model to make decisions about:

  • The development of Asclepiad and other AI tools
  • The design and operation of Asclepion sanctuaries
  • The adoption of new therapies or practices
  • Global initiatives and projects

By implementing this system, Asclepion aims to create a model of governance that could potentially be adapted for wider use in the future.

Advantages Over Traditional Democracy

  1. Informed Decision Making: Participants are educated on issues before voting, leading to more thoughtful decisions.
  2. Long-term Thinking: By providing comprehensive information and time for reflection, the system encourages consideration of long-term impacts.
  3. Reduced Polarization: The education process and quadratic voting system help prevent extreme polarization.
  4. Increased Engagement: By making participation meaningful and impactful, the system combats voter apathy.
  5. Flexibility: The system can adapt to handle both global and local issues effectively.

Challenges and Considerations

While promising, this system faces several challenges:

  • Ensuring equal access to technology and information
  • Protecting against potential manipulation of the AI education system
  • Balancing transparency with privacy concerns
  • Implementing and maintaining the complex voting and blockchain systems

Conclusion

Asclepian Governance represents an innovative approach to decision-making that Asclepion is pioneering within its own organization. By emphasizing education, reflection, and nuanced expression of preferences, it aims to create a more thoughtful and effective democratic process. As Asclepion implements and refines this system, it may offer valuable insights for addressing the challenges faced by democratic societies worldwide.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​