Post by echnaret on Oct 30, 2011 21:41:50 GMT
Well, seeing as how I misinterpreted the meaning of a similar topic, I might as well pose the question: what type of governments do you think message boards have? Yes, I know the leadership structure of most message boards (admin, moderators, etc), I'm just wondering what the technical name for it would be.
In addition to that, do you think it would be possible to have any other type of "government" on a message board?
For the couple of you who haven't read it yet, here is my post from the "other" topic:
Most places have democracy don't they?
Hardly. While I can't tell you exactly what types of governments message boards usually have (I have been wondering this for quite some time), it is definitely not a democracy. For instance, when was the last time you voted for you admin/moderators?
In my opinion, message boards are typically run by an autocracy ("ruled by one person") or an oligarchy ("ruled by a few").
The typical message board structure is as follows: there is an administrator (or a group of equal-powered co-admin) at the top of the social structure. How did they gain power? They created the message board. If you are a member and don't like them, don't like them, or you want someone else to be admin, what can you do? Nothing, besides go to a new message board.
Underneath them are moderators (these may exist on multiple levels). How did they get to be moderators? The admin made them so. What can they do if they don't like the admin? Well, they can leave, and that's about it.
Of course, that's not to say that the common member has no power. Their power exists in their presence (or lack thereof). The average member doesn't have physical power over the admin or mods, but if a large number of them threaten to leave, they can influence their superiors that way.
In conclusion, I'm not really sure what type of government I'd consider message boards to be. Regular members don't get to decide who their superiors are, though they can attempt to sway the opinion of the higher ups by either appealing to them, or by vacating.
In addition to that, do you think it would be possible to have any other type of "government" on a message board?
For the couple of you who haven't read it yet, here is my post from the "other" topic:
Hardly. While I can't tell you exactly what types of governments message boards usually have (I have been wondering this for quite some time), it is definitely not a democracy. For instance, when was the last time you voted for you admin/moderators?
In my opinion, message boards are typically run by an autocracy ("ruled by one person") or an oligarchy ("ruled by a few").
The typical message board structure is as follows: there is an administrator (or a group of equal-powered co-admin) at the top of the social structure. How did they gain power? They created the message board. If you are a member and don't like them, don't like them, or you want someone else to be admin, what can you do? Nothing, besides go to a new message board.
Underneath them are moderators (these may exist on multiple levels). How did they get to be moderators? The admin made them so. What can they do if they don't like the admin? Well, they can leave, and that's about it.
Of course, that's not to say that the common member has no power. Their power exists in their presence (or lack thereof). The average member doesn't have physical power over the admin or mods, but if a large number of them threaten to leave, they can influence their superiors that way.
In conclusion, I'm not really sure what type of government I'd consider message boards to be. Regular members don't get to decide who their superiors are, though they can attempt to sway the opinion of the higher ups by either appealing to them, or by vacating.
