Legitimacy as a Function
Lj(t) = Lj(0) + ∑L′j(t)
This formula defines how legitimacy evolves: starting value plus ongoing changes in delegated trust. Authority is not assigned—it’s earned, tracked, and updated in real time.
Core Mechanisms
- Liquid Representation: Agents can reassign votes or update delegation paths anytime. No lock-ins.
- Cascading Vote Capital: Delegated votes flow recursively until activated by a decision, ensuring no capital sits idle.
- Real-Time Recalibration: Trust and legitimacy shift continuously, based on performance, alignment, and revocable delegation.
By modeling legitimacy mathematically, Oxcart ensures that authority flows toward performance—not inertia. Every decision reflects an active trust graph, optimized for accountability and speed.