Diverse group of citizens participating in democratic governance

The Science of Governance

Strategies for the 21st Century

Nonpartisan, evidence-based frameworks and toolkits—drawn from global best practices. Free for citizens and civic leaders.

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Research Library

Explore curated collections of political philosophy and governance. Recommended books from opposing perspectives on human rights, power, and liberty.

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Best Practices

Evidence-based frameworks from business applied to governance. What works? What doesn't? How do we know?

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Policy Ideas

Crowdsourced, evidence-based policy proposals across six civic categories—ready to browse, support, and adapt for your area.

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From Chaos to Compact book cover - The Emergence of Governance From the State of Nature by Jim Walton
From Chaos to Compact
FALL 2026

From Chaos to Compact

The Emergence of Governance From the State of Nature

After more than a decade synthesizing diverse sources—beyond political philosophy and Western thought—this book reveals the trade-offs humans made to escape the state of nature and form organized government: the principles forged, and the lessons that endure.

By Jim Walton

Available Fall 2026

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Trammels Live: Launch Event

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Date
Thursday, July 16, 2026
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
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Location
Linda Hall Library — Auditorium
5109 Cherry Street, Kansas City, MO 64110
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Topic
The Science of Governance: Beyond Electing Better People
With Jim Walton

Many good people enter government with the best intentions, but often lack the tools, experience, and structural support needed to lead effectively. This talk explores how we can improve government by focusing on better structures, incentives, and shared best practices — equipping leaders with practical tools and frameworks to govern more successfully.

RSVP