Patchwork: A Positive Vision – Mencius Moldbug (keithanyon.github.io)
Overview & Context
In “Patchwork: A Positive Vision” (Nov 2008), Curtis Yarvin (aka Mencius Moldbug) lays out a radical blueprint to dismantle democratic systems and replace them with a decentralized mosaic of sovereign, corporate-governed mini-states.
Key Concepts
- Exit over Voice: Rather than reforming states via democratic means, individuals “exit” to alternative jurisdictions—formalized competition in governance.
- Patchwork Design: A network of thousands of bundles called “patches,” each governed by a joint-stock “realm” corporation with absolute executive power.
- Feudal-Inspired but Technologically Enabled: Emulates medieval feudalism but updated using cryptography for shareholder control and corporate stability.
Governance & Security
- Delegate as CEO: Each realm is run by a CEO (“Delegate”) appointed by anonymous shareholders and wielding supreme, monarch-like authority.
- Security-First Axioms: Government must prioritize security, simplicity, and efficiency:
- No limit to security strength
- Security outweighs liberty
- Less complexity equals more trust
- Cryptographic Sovereignty: Realms use secret-sharing / crypto systems to manage power stably and resist coups.
Resident Relations
- Covenant Contracts: Residents sign contracts promising compliance in exchange for protection and quality-of-life services.
- Enforcement Without Democracy: No judicial review or legislative checks—realms enforce rules based on reputation and profit incentives.
- Surveillance State: Ubiquitous monitoring (RFID, biometrics) ensures safety but limits resident privacy—prioritizing order over individual freedom.
Ideological Framing
- Yarvin frames his vision as neoreactionary/Dark Enlightenment: corporate feudal sovereignty meets modern tech and crypto.
- Focus is on financially responsible governance, rejecting democratic inefficiencies and championing accelerationist, competitive sovereignty.
Citation
OpenAI. (2025). Overview of “Patchwork: A Positive Vision” by Curtis Yarvin. Generated by ChatGPT (GPT‑4). Retrieved from chat.openai.com