Throughout history, humankind has sought to manage collective affairs and resources in the most effective ways. These efforts evolved into various socio-political arrangements or systems that, while promising efficacy in their time, were challenged by succeeding political models.

From Bigman to ballot, the quest for legitimate, inclusive, representative, responsive, accountable and efficient governance has evolved — not always by design or desire — into various sociopolitical systems that have come to dominate societies and cultures for ages.

For instance, the Bigman of the bands — the earliest socio-political authority known to history — has, due to relative experience in defending and sustaining the group, earned the assent of and worked for the well-being of all members.

However, as societies became more complex, stratified and centralised, legitimacy increasingly came to rely on force, deception, coercion, or a combination of all, each in varying degrees.

That is, unlike bands — where legitimacy,........

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