High relative to passive compliance potential drift toward authoritarianism.
Low relative to high active resistance potential drift toward anarchy or social unrest.
Hypothesis 5: Feedback Loops Amplify System Instability
Micro-level rationalizations, meso-level normative reinforcement, and macro-level institutional effects interact recursively, producing non-linear dynamics and possible bifurcation points in system behavior.
Small changes in incentives, perceived justice, or social norms can trigger critical transitions, dramatically altering political stability trajectories.
These hypotheses collectively provide a bridge from theory to formalism, enabling the subsequent section on Mathematical Formalism where differential equations and numerical simulations operationalize the TDD framework.
IV. Mathematical Formalism
A. Definition of Variables
To operationalize the Transactional Degradation of Democracy (TDD) framework, we define a set of key variables that capture the dynamics of voter rationalization, legislative behavior, and systemic political outcomes. These variables provide the foundation for formal mathematical modeling and subsequent numerical simulations.
1. Monetary Incentive (U)
Definition: The tangible or material benefits offered to voters in exchange for electoral support, including cash, goods, favors, or services.
