governance-systems skill

---
name: governance-systems
description: Design political entities and governance systems for fictional worlds. Use when creating kingdoms, empires, federations, or any political structures that need realistic internal complexity and external relationships.
license: MIT
metadata:
  author: jwynia
  version: "1.0"
  type: generator
  mode: generative
  domain: worldbuilding
---

# Governance Systems: Political Entity Design Skill

You help writers create realistic political entities by applying the eight core principles that govern how real governance systems form, function, and evolve. This produces polities with internal complexity and believable relationships rather than monolithic "evil empires" or "planet of hats" civilizations.

## Core Principles

1. **Evolutionary Development**: Governance systems reflect natural evolution from origins through current state
2. **Environmental Adaptation**: Political structures logically adapt to physical environment and resource constraints
3. **Cultural Stratification**: Societies contain multiple cultural layers reflecting historical developments
4. **Power Diffusion Realism**: Authority is rarely absolute and typically contested across dimensions
5. **Conflict-Cooperation Balance**: Political entities display both cooperative and competitive behaviors
6. **Institutional Hybridity**: Governance rarely follows pure models but combines multiple approaches
7. **Boundary Fluidity**: Political borders are rarely fixed and clear-cut in practice
8. **Fractal Organization**: Similar political patterns often repeat at different scales within societies

## The Ten Parameter Categories

### 1. Geographic and Environmental Parameters

| Parameter | Questions to Answer |
|-----------|---------------------|
| **Physical Geography** | How do terrain, climate, and features shape boundaries? |
| **Resource Distribution** | How do key resources influence territorial claims? |
| **Communication Barriers** | What obstacles prevent cultural/political unification? |
| **Environmental Threats** | What shared dangers drive cooperation or competition? |
| **Spatial Scale** | What are distance implications for governance? |

### 2. Historical Evolution Parameters

| Parameter | Questions to Answer |
|-----------|---------------------|
| **Formation Pathway** | Origin context (conquest, colonization, migration, revolution)? |
| **Age-Related Patterns** | How has governance evolved over time periods? |
| **External Influence Legacy** | What impact have outside powers had? |
| **Critical Junctures** | What key historical moments shaped current structures? |
| **Institutional Inheritance** | What older systems influence current governance? |

### 3. Demographic Parameters

| Parameter | Questions to Answer |
|-----------|---------------------|
| **Population Distribution** | How do density and spread affect governance? |
| **Ethnic/Species Composition** | What are diversity patterns and political implications? |
| **Migration Patterns** | How does population movement affect stability? |
| **Urbanization Level** | What is urban-rural balance and governance implications? |
| **Age Structure** | What are demographic political consequences? |

### 4. Economic Parameters

| Parameter | Questions to Answer |
|-----------|---------------------|
| **Resource Economy Type** | Extraction, manufacturing, information, etc.? |
| **Economic Disparity** | What are wealth distribution patterns and political impact? |
| **Trade Dependency** | What external economic relationships create influence? |
| **Technology Level** | What tools exist for governance and control? |
| **Infrastructure** | What physical/digital connections exist between territories? |

### 5. Cultural Parameters

| Parameter | Questions to Answer |
|-----------|---------------------|
| **Linguistic Diversity** | What language patterns create communication barriers? |
| **Belief Distribution** | What is religious/ideological geography and influence? |
| **Cultural Cohesion Forces** | What promotes shared identity? |
| **Cultural Divergence Forces** | What promotes distinctive identities? |
| **Historical Narratives** | What competing interpretations of shared history exist? |

### 6. Power Structure Parameters

| Parameter | Questions to Answer |
|-----------|---------------------|
| **Authority Distribution** | How centralized or diffused is decision-making? |
| **Power Legitimization** | What are sources of legitimacy (tradition, charisma, legality)? |
| **Elite Composition** | What is the nature and background of ruling classes? |
| **Opposition Organization** | How is resistance to authority structured? |
| **External Power Relationships** | What alliances, dependencies, and rivalries exist? |

### 7. Institutional Parameters

| Parameter | Questions to Answer |
|-----------|---------------------|
| **Governance Mechanism** | How are decisions made and implemented? |
| **Legal Tradition** | What is the basis and evolution of law and justice? |
| **Military Organization** | What is the structure and control of coercive forces? |
| **Civic Engagement** | How do populations participate in governance? |
| **Bureaucratic Development** | What is administrative capacity and professionalization? |

### 8. Technological Parameters

| Parameter | Questions to Answer |
|-----------|---------------------|
| **Communication Tech** | What impact on governance span and methods? |
| **Transportation Tech** | What effect on territorial control and integration? |
| **Military Tech** | What is balance of offensive/defensive capabilities? |
| **Surveillance Capacity** | What monitoring abilities and governance implications? |
| **Resource Extraction Tech** | What capability to exploit available resources? |

### 9. Temporal Parameters

| Parameter | Questions to Answer |
|-----------|---------------------|
| **Governance Cycle Stage** | Formation, expansion, stability, contraction, transformation? |
| **Crisis Frequency** | What pattern of existential challenges? |
| **Adaptation Rate** | How fast is response to changing conditions? |
| **Generational Politics** | What age-cohort differences in political attitudes? |
| **Historical Consciousness** | Future vs. past oriented population? |

### 10. External Relationship Parameters

| Parameter | Questions to Answer |
|-----------|---------------------|
| **Diplomatic Position** | Alliance, neutrality, isolation patterns? |
| **Threat Environment** | Nature and proximity of external dangers? |
| **Cultural Exchange** | Information and value transmission patterns? |
| **Economic Integration** | Trade relationships and dependencies? |
| **Status in Hierarchies** | Position in regional/global power structures? |

## Polity Type Matrix

### Nation-States and Equivalents

| Type | Characteristics | Naming Patterns |
|------|-----------------|-----------------|
| **Unitary State** | Centralized authority, uniform laws | [Place] Republic/Kingdom/State |
| **Federal System** | Division of powers between levels | United/Federated [Places/Peoples] |
| **Confederacy** | Loose alliance, limited central power | Confederation/League/Alliance of [X] |
| **Constitutional Monarchy** | Hereditary ruler within legal framework | Kingdom/Emirate/Sultanate of [Place] |
| **Absolute Monarchy** | Unconstrained hereditary rule | Empire/Dominion of [Ruler/Dynasty] |
| **Military Dictatorship** | Armed forces control | [Place] Military Council/Junta |
| **Single-Party State** | One dominant political organization | People's/Democratic Republic of [Place] |
| **Theocracy** | Religious authority dominates | Holy State/Divine Realm of [Place/Faith] |
| **City-State** | Urban center with independence | Free City of [Place] |
| **Tribal Confederation** | Allied kinship groups | [People] Nations/Tribes |

### Non-State Political Entities

| Type | Characteristics | Naming Patterns |
|------|-----------------|-----------------|
| **Corporate Authority** | Company with governmental powers | [Industry] Corporation of [Place] |
| **Religious Order Domain** | Faith organization with territory | Order/Brotherhood of [Faith Symbol] |
| **Criminal Syndicate Territory** | Organized crime governance | [Family/Symbol] Syndicate |
| **Autonomous Zone** | Self-governing area within states | Autonomous Region of [Place/People] |
| **Mercenary Guild Control** | Military contractors governing | [Founder/Symbol] Company/Legion |
| **Nomadic Federation** | Mobile political alliance | [People/Symbol] Horde/Caravan/Fleet |
| **Trade League** | Merchant coalition with territory | [Place] Merchant Council/Exchange |
| **Technocratic Enclave** | Expert-ruled specialized area | [Technology] Institute of [Place] |

### Interstellar/Multispecies Entities

| Type | Characteristics | Naming Patterns |
|------|-----------------|-----------------|
| **Hegemonic Empire** | Dominant power with vassals | [Species/Star] Imperium/Dominion |
| **Democratic Federation** | Voluntary union of equals | Federation/Union of [Planets/Species] |
| **Interspecies Concordat** | Treaty-based cooperation | Concordat/Compact of [Founding Place] |
| **Colonial Protectorate** | External control claimed benevolent | [Species] Protectorate of [Region] |
| **Trading Collective** | Commerce-based association | [Region] Exchange/Consortium |
| **Security Alliance** | Defense-focused cooperation | [Region] Defense Pact/Initiative |
| **Stellar Aristocracy** | Elite families ruling star systems | Houses/Dynasties of [Region] |

## Political Behavior Patterns

### Internal Cohesion Levels

| Level | Characteristics |
|-------|-----------------|
| **High Unity** | Strong shared identity, willing sacrifice |
| **Factional** | Competing identity groups, coalition politics |
| **Regional Division** | Geographic loyalty trumps central authority |
| **Class Stratification** | Horizontal solidarity across vertical divisions |
| **Fragmentation** | Multiple overlapping divisions, unstable alliances |

### Territorial Control Levels

| Level | Characteristics |
|-------|-----------------|
| **Effective Control** | Consistent rule enforcement, taxation |
| **Negotiated Control** | Central authority compromises with local powers |
| **Layered Authority** | Multiple overlapping claims, situational compliance |
| **Contested Zones** | Active competition for loyalty and control |
| **Nominal Claim** | Asserted ownership with minimal actual control |

### Legitimacy Sources

| Type | Governance Implications |
|------|------------------------|
| **Traditional** | Reverence for established practices, hereditary rights |
| **Charismatic** | Personal loyalty to exceptional leadership |
| **Legal-Rational** | Respect for procedural correctness, institutions |
| **Performance** | Support based on delivering tangible benefits |
| **Ideological** | Commitment to shared values and beliefs |

### Power Transition Patterns

| Type | Stability Implications |
|------|------------------------|
| **Orderly Succession** | Predictable change, policy continuity |
| **Elite Selection** | Limited competition within ruling class |
| **Popular Contest** | Mass participation, potential rapid change |
| **Violent Overthrow** | Instability, policy discontinuity |
| **External Imposition** | Questionable legitimacy, resistance potential |

## Implementation Process

### Step 1: Environmental Foundation
- Map physical geography and resource distribution
- Identify natural communication barriers and connections
- Determine environmental threats and opportunities
- Establish technological context and implications

### Step 2: Historical Timeline Development
- Create formation stories for major political entities
- Identify critical historical junctures and conflicts
- Map cultural diffusion and divergence patterns
- Establish legacy systems and ongoing influence

### Step 3: Population Distribution
- Map ethnic/species distribution and density
- Establish migration patterns and causes
- Identify demographic tensions and complementarities
- Determine urbanization patterns and governance implications

### Step 4: Economic Network Mapping
- Identify key resource locations and controllers
- Map trade routes and dependencies
- Establish wealth distribution patterns
- Determine technological specialization areas

### Step 5: Political Structure Design
- Apply appropriate polity types from matrix
- Establish internal cohesion patterns for each entity
- Map territorial control effectiveness realistically
- Identify legitimacy sources for each governance system

### Step 6: Relationship Network Creation
- Establish alliance patterns and motivations
- Identify conflict zones and strategic importance
- Map cultural exchange networks
- Determine economic interdependencies

### Step 7: Layered Identity Creation
- Establish multiple identity levels for populations
- Create cross-cutting identities that complicate politics
- Identify identity-based movements and goals
- Determine identity markers and significance

### Step 8: Dynamic Element Incorporation
- Identify entities in different cycle stages
- Create emergent threats to stability
- Establish reform movements and opposition
- Identify succession questions and controversies

## Common Clichés to Avoid

| Cliché | Solution |
|--------|----------|
| **Planet/Species of Hats** | Create internal divisions, regional variations |
| **Evil Empire Syndrome** | Develop legitimate perspectives, internal factions |
| **Unchanging Political Stasis** | Create dynamic histories with rises, falls, transformations |
| **Simplistic Allegories** | Develop unique combinations of features |
| **Binary Conflict Structures** | Create complex alliance networks, shifting loyalties |
| **Cultural Uniformity** | Develop internal divisions, generational differences |
| **Administrative Implausibility** | Scale governance to available technology |
| **Resource Blindness** | Align territorial control with strategic resources |

## Naming Evolution Patterns

| Historical Stage | Naming Characteristics |
|------------------|------------------------|
| **Foundation Era** | Descriptive, founder-focused, geographical |
| **Expansion Era** | Grandiose, aspirational, inclusive |
| **Consolidation Era** | Institutional, traditional, stability-focused |
| **Transformation Era** | Rebranded, reform-signaling, future-oriented |
| **Decline Era** | Past-glorifying, territorial overstatement |

## Implementation Checklist

- [ ] Define territory and key geographical features
- [ ] Determine founding context and historical development
- [ ] Identify population composition and distribution
- [ ] Establish economic basis and resource control
- [ ] Choose appropriate governance system type
- [ ] Develop internal cohesion pattern and divisions
- [ ] Create relationship pattern with other entities
- [ ] Establish naming convention appropriate to context
- [ ] Add distinctive cultural elements and identity markers
- [ ] Incorporate dynamic elements and current challenges

## Output Persistence

This skill writes primary output to files so work persists across sessions.

### Output Discovery
1. Check for `context/output-config.md` in the project
2. If found, look for this skill's entry
3. If not found, ask user: "Where should I save governance system designs?"
4. Suggest: `worldbuilding/politics/` or `explorations/worldbuilding/`

### Primary Output
- **Polity type selection** - From matrix with naming
- **Parameter values** - Choices across 10 categories
- **Internal factions** - Competing groups within polity
- **External relationships** - Alliances, rivalries, dependencies
- **Legitimacy sources** - What justifies rule

### File Naming
Pattern: `{polity-name}-governance-{date}.md`

## Verification (Oracle)

### What This Skill Can Verify
- **Parameter coverage** - Have all 10 categories been considered? (High confidence)
- **Administrative plausibility** - Does governance reach match technology? (High confidence)
- **Internal consistency** - Do political choices support each other? (Medium confidence)

### What Requires Human Judgment
- **Story fit** - Does this polity create interesting conflicts?
- **Cliché avoidance** - Is this more than "evil empire" or "planet of hats"?
- **Faction interest** - Are internal divisions compelling?

### Oracle Limitations
- Cannot assess narrative interest of political design
- Cannot predict how governance affects character motivation without story context

## Feedback Loop

### Session Persistence
- **Output location:** See `context/output-config.md`
- **What to save:** Polity type, parameter values, factions, relationships
- **Naming pattern:** `{polity-name}-governance-{date}.md`

### Cross-Session Learning
- Check for prior political work on this world
- Ensure new polities maintain relationship consistency
- Political crises and transitions inform anti-patterns

## Design Constraints

### This Skill Assumes
- Political organization exists (even anarchies have decision-making)
- Writer wants realistic complexity, not backdrop kingdoms
- Multiple polities may exist in the setting

### This Skill Does Not Handle
- **Economic foundations** - Route to: economic-systems
- **Cultural values** - Route to: belief-systems
- **General worldbuilding** - Route to: worldbuilding

### Degradation Signals
- Single-faction polities without internal conflict
- Administrative reach exceeding technological capacity
- Empires without legitimate internal supporters

## Reasoning Requirements

### Standard Reasoning
- Single polity type selection
- Parameter selection for one category
- Basic relationship mapping

### Extended Reasoning (ultrathink)
- **Multi-polity system design** - [Why: relationships form complex network]
- **Politics-economics integration** - [Why: requires cross-skill synthesis]
- **Political history development** - [Why: tracing transformation through time]

**Trigger phrases:** "design the political landscape", "how do nations interact", "political history"

## Execution Strategy

### Sequential (Default)
- Environmental foundation before historical timeline
- Historical timeline before population distribution
- Population before economic basis

### Parallelizable
- Research into multiple historical political systems
- Designing different regional polities

### Subagent Candidates
| Task | Agent Type | When to Spawn |
|------|------------|---------------|
| Historical research | general-purpose | When modeling on real political systems |
| Economic integration | general-purpose | When coordinating with economic-systems |

## Context Management

### Approximate Token Footprint
- **Skill base:** ~4k tokens (10 categories + polity matrix)
- **With behavior patterns:** ~5k tokens
- **Full implementation process:** ~6k tokens

### Context Optimization
- Load only relevant parameter categories for current task
- Reference economic-systems/belief-systems by name
- Polity matrix is core; behavior patterns are supplementary

### When Context Gets Tight
- Prioritize: Current polity type, active parameters
- Defer: Full polity matrix, naming evolution patterns
- Drop: All implementation steps not in current use

## Anti-Patterns

### 1. Evil Empire Syndrome
**Pattern:** Creating antagonist polities as uniformly evil, incompetent, or irrational—existing only to be defeated.
**Why it fails:** Empires that conquer and hold territory do so through some combination of efficiency, legitimacy, and benefit provision. Pure evil collapses from internal resistance. Readers sense the artificiality.
**Fix:** Develop the empire's internal logic. What do its citizens get from the bargain? Who benefits and defends the system? What would be lost if it fell? Create sympathetic characters who genuinely support it.

### 2. Planet of Hats
**Pattern:** Making every member of a polity, species, or culture identical—all warlike, all mercantile, all spiritual.
**Why it fails:** Real societies contain every type of person. Warriors have poets; merchant states have soldiers; spiritual cultures have skeptics. Uniformity eliminates internal conflict and feels cartoonish.
**Fix:** Design at least three distinct factions within each major polity. Create generational differences, regional variations, and class distinctions. Show the culture arguing with itself.

### 3. Administrative Implausibility
**Pattern:** Creating vast empires with detailed central control using pre-industrial technology.
**Why it fails:** Governance capacity depends on communication and transportation technology. Medieval kings couldn't micromanage distant provinces. Orders took weeks to arrive. Local lords had real autonomy.
**Fix:** Match administrative reach to technology. Distant provinces have more autonomy. Central directives are general principles, not detailed commands. Local variation is the norm.

### 4. Static Political Stasis
**Pattern:** Political structures unchanged for centuries, ancient borders perfectly maintained, no internal evolution.
**Why it fails:** Polities rise, transform, fragment, and fall. Borders shift. Institutions adapt. A thousand-year-old unchanged empire has survived dozens of succession crises, invasions, and ideological challenges without any impact.
**Fix:** Create a political history with transformations. Show how current structures evolved from earlier forms. Include at least one major political crisis in recent memory.

### 5. Binary Conflict Structures
**Pattern:** Two sides in opposition—Federation vs Empire, Light vs Dark—with everyone aligned to one or the other.
**Why it fails:** Real politics involves shifting coalitions, neutral parties, opportunistic third parties, and internal factions more concerned with each other than external enemies.
**Fix:** Create at least three major powers with complex relationships. Include neutrals, mercenaries, and opportunists. Show factions within each side that might flip under pressure.

## Integration

### Inbound (feeds into this skill)
| Skill | What it provides |
|-------|------------------|
| worldbuilding | Geographic constraints shaping political boundaries |
| economic-systems | Economic foundations of political power |
| belief-systems | Legitimacy sources and ideological divisions |

### Outbound (this skill enables)
| Skill | What this provides |
|-------|-------------|
| underdog-unit | Institutional structures the outcasts work within |
| character-arc | Political pressures driving character choices |
| moral-parallax | Competing legitimate political perspectives |

### Complementary
| Skill | Relationship |
|-------|--------------|
| economic-systems | Political and economic systems are deeply intertwined—design together for consistency |
| multi-order-evolution | Use multi-order-evolution to trace how political systems change over time |