HackMDFirst draft of Polkadot DAO Constitution by Emil Kietzman - Link https://hackmd.io/@EmilKietzman/HyvlkCitA/edit
Preamble
We the community of the Polkadot Ecosystem are a Decentralized Software Protocol Network and promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity, do decree and establish this Constitution for the Polkadot DAO OpenGov.
Article I: Polkadot Origin Story
Section 1: Polkadot
Polkadot was a vision of a co-founder of Ethereum (2014) who created the Solidity programming language (2014). In November 2016, in a draft whitepaper called "Polkadot: Vision for a heterogenous multi-chain Framework" was introduced to the world.
It is commitment to decentralization was expressed by the words in the white paper:
"Where parameters are specified, they are likely to change. Mechanisms will be added, refined, and removed in response to community ideas and critiques".
Through this vision a community has created a Decentralized Software Network Protocol for any DOT holder who participates.
Section 2: Polkadot OpenGov
On the 15 of June in 2023 the Polkadot OpenGov governance system was officially established, making DOT holders the largest and most decentralized decision-making group in the world. They are the heart of the OpenGov system and carry the primary responsibility for governance decisions.
Decision-making power is in the hands of the Community, ensuring an unstoppable delegation (even by its creators). Once a referendum is approved the code executes upon decision made by the DOT holders.
Article II: Community Principles
Section 1: Inclusivity and Equality
The Polkadot DAO is dedicated to creating an inclusive space, where everyone regardless of age, gender, race, or nationality is welcomed. We stand against racism, harassment, and discrimination, promoting respect and equality for all DOT holders.
Section 2: Open Participation
The Polkadot DAO is open to all DOT holders. Everyone is invited to vote, share ideas, engage in discussions, and participate in the OpenGov governance system. The term "Web3" was coined by the Polkadot founder Dr Gavin Wood in 2014. Its definition is described as "A decentralized software online ecosystem based on blockchain". The Polkadot DAO embodies the core values of Web3, emphasizing decentralization and open-source collaboration.
Every DOT holder is invited to contribute with their voting power through their perspective, regardless of their experience or expertise. OpenGov has replaced an old system that granted funds to people who were adding to the Network. With this new system “OpenGov,” all DOT holders with skin in the game will fund initiatives to grow the Software Network Protocol, which is Polkadot.
Article III: Governance Framework
Section 1: The OpenGov System
All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in the OpenGov, which shall consist of the collective DOT holders, with the advisory input from the The Technical Fellowship.
Section 2: Proposals on OpenGov
In the Polkadot OpenGov system, all proposals are initiated by DOT community members. Any DOT holder can submit a proposal through governess tracks. Regardless of on-chain identity status, every DOT holder can submit on the small tipper and small spender track. To ensure accountability on larger tracks and for full transparency, only individuals with a verified on-chain identity will be permitted to submit proposals on all other tracks, such as (but not limited to); Medium Spend, Big Spender and Wish for Change.
Section 3: Delegating
Delegations’ offers DOT token holders the option to assign voting power on different tracks to different entities (individuals or collectives), who may be experts in judging the referenda submitted to those tracks. DOT holders who lack time or expertise in specific fields should perform due diligence and find an expert to delegate their DOT for voting, this can have positive affects for the Network.
Section 4: The Fellowship Collective
The Fellowship Collective is a self-governing body of experts of the Polkadot Software Network Protocol. It is not exclusive to developers, but also to ideates, designers, formalizers and research analysts with knowledge required in the ongoing maintenance and development of the Polkadot Software Network Protocol. Any DOT holder with long-term contributions can apply to join a Fellowship.
Section 5: Funded by the DOT Holders for the Strength of the DAO
The Polkadot DAO is a decentralized funded financial mechanism for help and assistance in sustaining and accelerating its own value through the governing process of all DOT holders. Any recipient of funds from the DAO for (examples); software, hardware or marketing should disclose this in all marketing advertisements.
Suggested but not limited to disclosures on marketing or advertising materials: “Powered by Polkadot” or “Secured by Polkadot.” This is to ensure transparency and value of spend between the DAO and entrepreneur’s or companies is reflected to the Polkadot brand and adds value back to all DOT holders through their voting power.
Article IV: Rights and Responsibilities of DOT Holders
Section 1: Rights
All DOT holders are entitled to participate in OpenGov governance by creating proposals, voting on referenda, and proposing changes to the Software Network Protocol. Polkadot DAO will remain open and inclusive to the whole community of DOT holders, regardless of the amount of DOT you hold, whether its 1 DOT or 20 million DOT, you have power to influence the outcome.
Voter identities are protected and at the discretion of the DOT holder, however if you are seeking funds outside of the small tracks, a verified on-chain identity is required. Accountability of funds rendered for services that benefit all DOT holders is a requirement of referendum financial disbursement.
In an effort to maintain trust and accountability within the ecosystem, all governance activities, not limited to proposal discussions and voting records, should be visible and transparent to all DOT holders. Legal negotiations and governing laws by local district where applicable are to be upheld, however all non-legally restricted information should be transparent to the DOT holder community in regard to negotiations.
Section 2: Responsibilities
It is strongly encouraged for all DOT holders to participate in the OpenGov process. Participating in discussions and creating proposals is the right of every DOT holder, regardless if they work in the ecosystem or elsewhere. Its strongly encouraged to vote or delegate your voting power to someone you align with, every vote counts.
To maintain a positive, constructive, and engaged community, all DOT holders are upheld to conduct themselves with respect and integrity, refraining from any discriminatory behavior, such as, but not limited to, country, religion, or race, as we are a global community!
Article V: Amendment Process
Section 1: Proposing Amendments
Any DOT holder can propose amendments to this Constitution. As this is a draft, comments shall be made on hackmd.io, X, etc. - but after release of first version, only by sufficient support and voted through OpenGov.
Article VI: Treasury Management
Section 1: Treasury Governance and Oversight
The Treasury is a decentralized, community-owned funding for Polkadot projects. It is primarily funded through inflation, Network fees or slashing of the DOT token and is managed by every DOT holder via OpenGov. Any activity or project that benefits Polkadot and in the case of software is fully open source, can be funded by the treasury. Treasury funds will be allocated via on-chain governance through, but not limited to proposals, bounties, and tips.
Section 2: Transparency and Accountability
All expenditures and voting decisions are documented thanks to blockchain technology. This allows for regular audits, which provide transparency and give a guarantee that funds from the Treasury are allocated and to whom, for initiatives that support the health and growth of the Polkadot Ecosystem. Projects like https://www.opengov.watch/ or https://app.ogtracker.io/all tread a path for Polkadot DAO transparency.
Article VII: Tokenomics
Section 1: Tokenomics and Inflation
Polkadot's economic model is to sustain Network stability and incentivize participation but not at the expense of losing security.
Article VIII: Ethical Standards
Section 1: The Code of Conduct
All members of the Polkadot DAO community shall engage with respect and inclusivity. It is encouraged to create community and assist fellow DOT holders with the ways, tracks, and mechanisms of the DAO.
Actions that may compromise the security or integrity of the Network, such as market manipulation, fraud or misrepresenting Polkadot as anything but a Software Network Protocol are prohibited.
Section 2: Enforcement
Violations of this Constitution may result in restricted participation. Repeatedly violating the community's ethical standards may result in restrictions on governance participation via community voting. Such as diluting voting power by way of a majority vote, vs DOT power. (Situations such as this will require code mechanisms in OpenGov, as we evolve.)
Section 3: Interpretation
This Constitution serves as the foundation of the Polkadot governance. All proposals in OpenGov must conform to its provisions. During major governance or structural changes, the Constitution shall be updated first, to ensure that the Network remains stable.
This Constitutions shall come into force via OpenGov proposal with a supermajority of AYE votes from the DOT holders.
