Liquid Democracy

Definition ∞ Liquid democracy is a voting system that combines elements of direct and representative democracy. In this model, individuals can either vote directly on proposals or delegate their voting power to another participant they trust. This delegation can be transitive, meaning a delegate can further delegate their voting power. It offers flexibility, allowing participants to engage directly when they feel informed and delegate when they lack expertise or time.
Context ∞ Liquid democracy is a governance model gaining traction within decentralized autonomous organizations and blockchain-based decision-making frameworks. Current discourse often centers on its potential to improve voter engagement and achieve more nuanced representation compared to traditional direct or representative systems. Challenges remain in optimizing its implementation to prevent vote concentration and ensure robust participation, with ongoing research exploring its application in various decentralized contexts.