Plural systems cannot function without shared protocols. Interoperability is the foundation that lets different governance models coexist without collapse.
What Interoperability Means
It means you can move between systems without losing rights, services, or legitimacy. It means data, resources, and obligations can be reconciled across governance modules.
Think of it as the API layer of society. Without it, the network fractures.
Minimum Shared Principles
Interoperability requires a baseline. This might include:
- Rights guarantees
- Dispute resolution standards
- Mobility and residency protocols
- Transparency requirements
These are not the whole system; they are the compatibility layer.
Preventing Harm Across Boundaries
If one system’s policies harm others, interoperability fails. You need rules for externalities: environmental damage, labor exploitation, or resource extraction must be governed across boundaries.
How Protocols Evolve
Protocols should be minimal but upgradable. You can version them like software. Older systems remain compatible while new protocols are tested and adopted.
The Benefit
Interoperability lets you have diversity without isolation. It preserves choice while protecting shared stability. It is the glue that makes adaptive governance ecosystems possible.