Code vs. Contract
Governance is not just about terms of service; it is about the physics of the space. "Code is law" (Lessig). However, Boundary Resources like APIs are also instruments of governance. If a platform can change its API on a whim, it is a tyranny, not a democracy.
From Users to Citizens
Platform Governance in the Coalition model seeks to transition individuals from "users" (passive consumers of a service) to "citizens" (active participants with rights). This requires Polycentric Governance—where power is not held by a single admin, but distributed across multiple, overlapping centers of authority.
Stratigraphy (Related Concepts)
Polycentric Governance
Federated Governance
Boundary Resources
Coalition