---
title: Governance
order: 3
hideLanguageSelector: true
keywords: "makerdao, maker, governance, on-chain, off-chain"
description: "A guide to governance of the Maker ecosystem."
---

# Governance

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### Governance is the process of interaction and decision-making among the stakeholders of a given system or organization.

MakerDAO governance describes the way rules, norms and actions are structured, sustained, regulated and upheld.

<Button to="/learn/governance/how-voting-works/"> Learn How to Vote in Maker Governance </Button>

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### How it Works

MakerDAO governance can be divided into two parts: on-chain and off-chain.

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#### Governance


[Off-Chain Governance](/learn/governance/off-chain-gov/)

[Governance and Risk Meeting](/learn/governance/gov-risk-framework/)

[Frequent Discussion Topics](/learn/governance/discussion/)

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#### Proposals

A guide to [Executive Proposals](/learn/governance/how-voting-works/).

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#### On-Chain Governance

Maker (MKR) token holders are the primary stakeholders of the system and vote using the Maker Protocol's on-chain governance system.

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Learn more about the [MKR token](https://community-development.makerdao.com/makerdao-mcd-faqs/faqs/mkr-token)

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There are two types of votes in this system, Governance Polls and Executive Votes. Anyone who owns MKR can participate in these votes.

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#### Governance Polls

[Governance Polls](/learn/governance/how-voting-works/)

Governance Polls establish a soft consensus and measure community sentiment, through [time-based voting](/learn/governance/how-voting-works/).

[Learn about Governance Polls](/learn/governance/how-voting-works/)

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#### Executive Votes

[Executive Votes](/learn/governance/how-voting-works/)

Executive Votes change the state of the system through through [continuous approval voting](/learn/governance/how-voting-works/).

[Learn about Executive Votes](/learn/governance/how-voting-works/)

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#### Risk

[Governance Risk Framework](/learn/governance/gov-risk-framework/)

[Emergency Shutdown](/learn/governance/emergency-shutdown/)

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Learn more about [Voting](/learn/governance/how-voting-works/) and [Voting Wallet Setup](/learn/governance/voting-setup/)

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## Participation

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Check out our guide on [How to Participate.](/learn/governance/participate/)

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