Darwinia strives to become a global cross-chain messaging platform, recognizing the paramount importance of decentralization in the blockchain realm. Initially, all chains within the Darwinia network retained a ROOT role to address any issues arising in emergent situations. However, after multiple rounds of development iterations and extensive community discussions, we reached a consensus to remove this superpower role. This milestone was accomplished with the runtime 6310 upgrade. As a result, the chain's behavior can no longer be controlled by any central authority. Any changes, whether they involve adjusting pallet parameters or facilitating asset transfers, must now be executed through on-chain governance. This represents a significant leap towards establishing a truly decentralized platform for the Darwinia network.
Darwinia's governance model closely resembles that of Polkadot Governance V1. The objective is to bring together active token holders and the council to collectively oversee decisions related to network upgrades. Whether a proposal is initiated by the public (token holders) or the Council, it must ultimately undergo a voting process via a referendum. This allows all token holders to participate in the decision-making process, with voting power weighted based on their stake in the network. The governance framework primarily consists of public referenda, the council, and the technical committee. If you're interested, recommend checking out the Governance Guide.
Public referenda
Any token holder in the system has the ability to propose and vote on public referenda by providing a bond. Once a proposal is submitted, others can show their support by endorsing it and staking tokens equivalent to the initial bond. During each launch period, the most endorsed proposal will be moved to the public referenda table, where it becomes eligible for voting. If a referenda is approved by the majority of token holders, it will be executed at a later stage; otherwise, it will be rejected.
Council
The Council in Darwinia plays a critical role in the governance system, serving as a pivotal component. It consists of elected members who bear the responsibility of making significant decisions pertaining to the network. Through a voting process, these Council members are elected by token holders. They actively participate in proposing and voting on referenda, which encompass network upgrades, parameter adjustments, and policy modifications. Acting as a representative body, the Council plays a vital role in shaping the direction and governance of the Darwinia network.
Technical Committee
The Technical Committee in Darwinia comprises technical experts who possess extensive knowledge of the Darwinia protocol and its underlying technology. Their primary responsibility is to assess and scrutinize proposed runtime upgrades and protocol changes. Leveraging their expertise, they ensure that these proposals are technically robust, secure, and aligned with the overarching goals and principles of the Darwinia network. By offering technical guidance and expertise, the Technical Committee plays a pivotal role in upholding the integrity and stability of the protocol during the decision-making process.