Systems Engineering is a poorly-named field — it’s not so much an engineering discipline as a structured process for producing a design. Just as we can design a homestead, we can apply the Systems Engineering process to develop lasting documents.
The experiment I propose is this: can we apply the elements of the Systems Engineering process to create a constitution that ensures a sustainable and open community?
For this project, I’m speaking only of a governance document for a small community of 100 – 1000 people. The key steps in this process, I believe, are: 1) Identify assumptions; 2) Define the core values (acceptance criteria) for the community; 3) Define secondary goals and objectives; 4) Develop requirements; 5) Make the language readable and clear (i.e. we don’t want it to read like an outline); 6) Perform test cases – examine all the different ways the document can be interpreted; 7) Repeat 1- 6 as needed until document is refined.
I contend that a good constitution is nothing more (or less) than a requirements document: A framework of necessary criteria, but not design solutions (specific laws). If we can keep in mind that we’re not, for instance, specifying the punishment for theft but identifying how that punishment should be decided, we have a good chance of success.
The core values are those key principles that, if nothing else is enforced or remembered, define the nature of the community. They are the concepts that every citizen should hold dear and is constantly working towards.
The core values should also be very limited in number. Try coming up with a list of core values for the United States, then compare that list with any other American – what are the chances that they would be the same? What are the chances that you would even have the same number of values listed? Perhaps your list would include freedom of religion, equal rights to all, the right to bear arms, freedom of speech, the right to vote, and separation of powers. Or do we also include the rights of the states to make their own laws, or avoidance of providing aid and comfort to our enemies, or the right to a jury trial? It’s no wonder we have such division in this country, we can’t even identify the values we should hold most important!
Please don’t misunderstand me — all of these items are important, but they give us no guidance on our country’s core values. The core values should be easily identifiable, easily remembered, and constantly reiterated to every citizen. Any community member asked should be able to rattle off the core values and explain why each of them is important and believe it. This is the most challenging part of finding the core values: finding ideals worth believing in.
What should the core values be for a sustainable community? For argument’s sake, I propose the following: Sustainability, Cooperation, Freedom of Thought, Respect for Nature, Thirst for Knowledge, and Self-Sufficiency. The meaning for each of these I explain in detail below:
Sustainability: As no system which extracts more from its environment than it replaces can continue functioning indefinitely, so shall the community strive to improve the condition of the planet on which it depends.
Cooperation: As each person depends on the success of their neighbors, so shall all members of the community assist one another when able.
Freedom of Thought: As sharing ideas, expressing thoughts, and communicating knowledge are critical for a free and open society, so shall the community encourage open exchange of thought.
Respect for Nature: As every person is dependent upon a healthy environment, so shall every person treat the natural world with respect.
Thirst for Knowledge: As growth in knowledge and understanding enables a society to remain healthy and vibrant, so shall the community encourage learning and endeavors of exploration.
Self-Sufficiency: As excessive dependence on external groups can put the viability of the community at risk, so shall the community attempt to produce enough resources for every community member.
Do these make sense for a small community? Are there others we should include, or should some of these be deleted? Please share your thoughts and stay tuned for the next part of this project where we refine these core values and work on developing the “goals and objectives” for the constitution.
