The Enforcement Rule
The principle that cooperation persists only when networks actively enforce reciprocity through sanctioning (punishing cheaters) and partner choice (rewarding cooperators).
The principle that cooperation persists only when networks actively enforce reciprocity through sanctioning (punishing cheaters) and partner choice (rewarding cooperators). Without enforcement, cheating spreads, trust collapses, and networks fragment - regardless of how beneficial the network or aligned the incentives.
When to Use The Enforcement Rule
When designing cooperative systems, platform governance, partnership agreements, open-source licensing, or any shared infrastructure where cheating or exploitation is possible.
How to Apply
Recognize Cooperation Isn't Automatic
Understand that mutual benefit and aligned incentives are insufficient. Cooperation requires active enforcement or cheaters will proliferate.
Questions to Ask
- What would cheating look like in this network?
- What prevents participants from extracting without contributing?
- Are we assuming cooperation will emerge from aligned incentives?
Design Sanctioning Mechanisms
Create systems to detect and punish cheating. Examples: GPL licensing requiring shared improvements, reputational consequences for rule-breaking, exclusion from future cooperation, reduced resource allocation to underperformers.
Outputs
- Cheating detection systems
- Sanctioning policies
- Escalation procedures
Enable Partner Choice
Allow network participants to preferentially allocate resources to reliable partners. Make performance visible so good actors can be identified and rewarded.
Outputs
- Performance transparency mechanisms
- Partner selection criteria
- Reward systems for cooperators
Maintain Enforcement Over Time
Enforcement is ongoing, not one-time. Networks must continuously sanction cheating and reward cooperation to prevent gradual degradation.
Questions to Ask
- Is enforcement consistent and predictable?
- Are sanctions actually applied or just threatened?
- Do cooperators visibly benefit from cooperation?