Rules, fairness and justice in a small group after a crisis

Write a short list of rules, agree who decides what, make decisions publicly and in writing, repair harm rather than punish by default, give accused people a fair hearing, and never use torture or collective punishment.

Part of Day Zero, the plan for an AI-related crisis that gets out of control. Why it exists. General information, not medical advice: how these guides are reviewed.

Groups last when members believe the rules are fair, known and the same for everyone. They fall apart when they do not.

Few, clear, written rules

Write a short list at the start (10 rules, not 100), read aloud to all:

1. Everyone has a right to water, food and shelter according to need.
2. No violence against members. Disputes go to the mediator.
3. No theft; what is stored belongs to the group and is shared by agreed rations.
4. Work is shared; everyone who can work, does.
5. Strangers are met with courtesy and caution.
6. Children, the sick and the old are protected.
7. Decisions are made as agreed, and written down.

Decisions and leaders

• Choose a small council (3 to 7), with different skills, plus people to run particular jobs.
• Terms are limited and can be ended by the group.
• Big matters (moving, war, new members, big trades) go to everyone.

Disputes

1. Both sides tell their story to a mediator or the council.
2. Witnesses, then a decision with reasons, written down.
3. The remedy is usually repair: return what was taken, work to make up for it, apology, compensation.

Serious wrongdoing

• Violence, rape or murder must be dealt with: protect the victim first, hold a fair hearing with the accused able to answer, with several judges not involved in the case.
• No torture, no revenge killings, no collective punishment. Methods that you would not accept for yourself will be used against you.
• Penalties: loss of rights, extra work, restitution, guarded confinement, and as a last resort removal from the group. Removing someone is a death sentence in hard winters, so keep it for the worst cases and give food and tools.
• Record every case and decision.

Outsiders and new members

Welcome people who can work and will keep the rules. New members have a trial period, are told the rules, and are fully included after.

Fairness on food

The fastest way to break a group is secret hoarding or unequal rations. Count the stores openly, ration openly, and punish cheating from leaders hardest.

Review status: not yet checked by a named professional. Read how these guides are reviewed and check anything medical or dangerous with a qualified person where you can.