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zach_millertoday at 4:42 PM7 repliesview on HN

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_Dues

I think this is a fun historical example. Ships passing through Denmark needed to pay a tax of 1-2% of the value of their cargo. They self-assessed that value.

The twist that makes it interesting was that the King could choose to purchase any cargo immediately at the reported value. If a ship underreported, they might save on tax, but they risked taking a hefty loss.

I have no idea how effective this was, but it's compelling. I wonder whether great self-regulation might need clever design like that example.


Replies

Bratmontoday at 4:56 PM

That's literally the opposite of self-regulation.

show 1 reply
alistairSHtoday at 5:24 PM

Amateur motorsports has a similar concept - often called a "claim rule" or similar - in an attempt to control costs.

Basically, for $x amount, a competitor can buy the winning car (or its engine, or similar). Where $x is the amount the group decides should be a reasonable amount to spend on building a car.

A racer is free to spend more, but if they win too much, somebody will write a check and buy the car.

In theory. In reality, plenty of people have the money to spend $x^2 and risk the loss.

newobjtoday at 5:16 PM

Interesting variation on the "I cut you choose" game mechanic!

whynotmaybetoday at 5:03 PM

We're in the "exceptio probat regulam" zone with this example.

socotoday at 4:48 PM

Nitpicking, I have the feeling that's self-declaration, not self-regulation.

plagiaristtoday at 5:30 PM

I love solutions like that. Like if you are splitting food, one person cuts and the other chooses.

cyanydeeztoday at 4:57 PM

sounds like Bernie Sander's modern day "lets just buy 50% of AI companies"