likwid/docs/reference/glossary.md
Marco Allegretti 910a6465f2 Initial commit: Likwid governance platform
- Backend: Rust/Axum with PostgreSQL, plugin architecture
- Frontend: Astro with polished UI
- Voting methods: Approval, Ranked Choice, Schulze, STAR, Quadratic
- Features: Liquid delegation, transparent moderation, structured deliberation
- Documentation: User and admin guides in /docs
- Deployment: Docker/Podman compose files for production and demo
- Demo: Seeded data with 3 communities, 13 users, 7 proposals

License: AGPLv3
2026-01-27 17:21:58 +01:00

2.7 KiB

Glossary

Key terms and definitions used in Likwid.

A

Approval Voting

A voting method where voters can approve any number of options. Options are ranked by total approvals.

C

Community

An organizational unit in Likwid representing a group with shared governance needs.

Condorcet Winner

An option that would beat every other option in a head-to-head comparison. The Schulze method always selects a Condorcet winner if one exists.

D

Delegate

A user who receives delegated voting power from other users.

Delegation

The act of entrusting your vote to another user. Can be topic-based or community-wide.

Deliberation

The discussion phase of a proposal where members debate and refine ideas before voting.

I

Instance

A deployment of Likwid. Each instance is independent and can have its own configuration.

Instant Runoff

See Ranked Choice Voting.

L

Liquid Democracy

A form of democracy combining direct and representative democracy. Voters can vote directly or delegate their vote, and can change delegation at any time.

M

Moderation Log

A transparent, auditable record of all moderation actions taken in a community.

Member

A user who has joined a community and can participate in governance.

P

Plugin

A modular component that extends Likwid's functionality. Voting methods, integrations, and features are implemented as plugins.

Proposal

A decision item submitted to a community for deliberation and voting.

Pseudonym

A separate identity used for voting to preserve ballot privacy while maintaining accountability.

Q

Quadratic Voting

A voting method where the cost to cast multiple votes increases quadratically. Used to express intensity of preference.

Quorum

The minimum participation required for a vote to be valid.

R

Ranked Choice Voting

A voting method where voters rank options. Also called Instant Runoff Voting (IRV).

S

Schulze Method

A Condorcet voting method that uses pairwise comparisons and strongest paths to determine the winner.

Scope

The extent of a delegation - can be community-wide or limited to specific topics.

STAR Voting

Score Then Automatic Runoff - voters rate options 0-5 stars, top two enter automatic runoff.

T

Topic

A category or subject area used to organize proposals and delegations.

Transitive Delegation

When delegation chains are followed (A delegates to B, B delegates to C, so A's vote goes to C).

V

Voice Credits

The currency in quadratic voting that voters allocate across options.

Voting Identity

A pseudonymous identity separate from civic identity, used to maintain ballot privacy.

Voting Method

The algorithm used to aggregate individual votes into a collective decision.