Governance Substrate Model (GSM)
A structural framework for analyzing governance systems
The Governance Substrate Model (GSM) provides a substrate‑level representation of governance systems using a five‑axis structural manifold, behavioral invariants, awareness layers, cross‑axis physics, equilibrium basins, and drift dynamics. It is non‑ideological and non‑normative: it describes how systems behave, not how they should behave.
The GSM is the foundation for the Analyzer, the Triadic Observer, and the Transition Simulator.
Structural Manifold#
All governance systems are represented as a point in a five‑axis vector space:
- C — Centralization
- M — Method
- O — Oversight
- A — Access
- T — Timing
The manifold defines the coordinate system for structural analysis.
See: governance_manifold.yaml.
Behavioral Invariants#
Invariants define the minimum structural conditions required for coherence. They are substrate‑level behavioral rules that apply across all systems.
Examples include:
- authority distribution invariant
- method–access consistency invariant
- oversight integrity invariant
- timing stability invariant
- absorptive capacity invariant
See: behavioral_invariants.yaml.
Awareness Layers#
Awareness layers describe how a system perceives and stabilizes its own structure:
- structural awareness
- procedural awareness
- historical awareness
- anticipatory awareness
- relational awareness
These layers influence drift, coherence, and resilience.
See: awareness_layers.yaml.
Cross‑Axis Physics#
Physics defines how structural forces interact across axes:
- centralization ↔ oversight
- method ↔ access
- oversight ↔ timing
Physics governs:
- compensatory movement
- tension accumulation
- drift amplification
- basin attraction
See: governance_physics.yaml.
Equilibrium Basins#
The manifold contains five stable structural families:
- CPL — Competitive–Plurality
- CPF — Competitive–Preferential
- CTR — Competitive–Two‑Round
- PCL — Proportional–Coalition
- HCL — Hierarchical–Centralized
Each basin has characteristic axis ranges and stability gradients.
See: equilibrium_basins.yaml.
Drift Dynamics#
Drift represents structural movement across the manifold. It is computed using:
- vector deltas
- physics forces
- invariant tension
- absorptive capacity
- basin distance change
Drift is classified as:
- micro
- meso
- macro
- regime‑shift
See: drift_detection.yaml.
Coherence Scoring#
Coherence scoring evaluates structural integrity using:
- invariant alignment
- awareness strength
- physics consistency
- basin stability
- drift pressure
The score ranges from 0–100 and is used across dashboards and observer layers.
See: coherence_scoring.yaml.
Coherence Events#
The Analyzer emits structured coherence events that record:
- alignment
- tension
- drift
- compensatory movement
- invariant violations
- basin approach/departure
- transition signals
These events form the backbone of structural narratives.
See: coherence_event_schema.yaml.
Analyzer Pipeline#
The Analyzer transforms raw descriptions into structured outputs:
- input normalization
- structural vectorization
- invariant evaluation
- physics application
- basin classification
- drift detection
- coherence scoring
- narrative generation
See: analyzer_prototype_architecture.md.
Triadic Observer Layer#
The Observer attaches temporal context:
- History lens — past vectors, drift sequences, structural eras
- Now lens — current vector, coherence, basin identity
- Future lens — projected drift, transition signals
This layer provides time‑anchored interpretation.
Transition Simulator#
The simulator models stepwise movement across the manifold:
- drift engine
- basin approach/departure
- transition pathways
- cost structures
- structural narratives
It is used for scenario analysis and educational tools.
Dynamic Artifacts#
All Analyzer and Observer outputs follow standardized templates:
- structural vectors
- invariant reports
- physics forces
- basin classifications
- drift events
- transition paths
- observer lenses
- narratives
- dynamic cards
See: dynamic_artifact_templates.md and dynamic_cards_spec.md.
Purpose of the GSM#
The GSM enables:
- structural comparison across systems
- drift and transition analysis
- coherence evaluation
- educational reconstruction of governance behavior
- substrate‑level modeling for DSLs and simulators
It provides a unified language for describing governance systems as dynamic structural objects.