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Governance
Decentralized protocols need governance systems that can make decisions about protocol evolution, moderation, design, and other topics. The purpose of this document is to review how existing projects govern themselves. As all the protocols and applications covered are open source, we will look into general open source governance as well.
ActivityPub
ActivityPub was developed by the Social Web Working Group (SWWG), which ran 2014-2018, and culminated in the recommendation of a set of social protocols including ActivityPub. It has reached W3C recommendation status, and is currently stewarded by the W3C.
Matrix
Matrix was initially developed within Amdocs by developers building a chat tool. Amdocs funded development from 2014-2017. In 2017, the core developers started a company, New Vector, which now drives development. The Matrix protocol and specification is stewarded by the Matrix.org Foundation. There is an annual vote of confidence in the project lead.
IPFS
IPFS was built by the company Protocol Labs, and continues to be stewarded by it in conjunction with an open source community.
Blockchain governance
Most blockchains are governed by companies and foundations that direct resources towards development. Only a few projects have on-chain governance, in which funding and decision-making is actually executed on a blockchain network itself.
On-chain Governance: Dash and Decred
Decentralized Network Governance: Blockchain Technology and the Future of Regulation
Open Source Governance Links and Resources
How the Node.js Foundation Utilizes Participatory Governance to Build Its Community - more about opening commit rights to the repo earlier and more quickly?
Governance without Foundations
Apache Foundation Governance "The Apache Way - merit, consensus, community, charity" Similar to a standard corporation.
Wikipedia original statement of principles "Wikipedia's success to date is 100% a function of our open community...Newcomers are always to be welcomed."
Gitcoin - bounties for git issues - could include decision making equity