> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://meet-coop-1.gitbook.io/handbook-trial/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://meet-coop-1.gitbook.io/handbook-trial/6-constitution/constitution/protocols-vs-rules.md).

# Protocols vs rules

Here we make a distinction between protocols, and possible interpretations of ‘rules’.

> Updated: 19jul2021
>
> This topic is incomplete, to be expanded xxx

meet.coop, as a commons, operates on a **contribution** basis, a mutualised **practice** basis, an **in-context**, systemic basis. 'Rules ' is not necessarily the most helpful way to express how things are done in this kind of organised social endeavour. Rather, we frame things in terms of protocols that govern . . [contributions](/handbook-trial/2-political-economy/members-and-contributions/contributions.md), practices, actions-in-contexts (ie in commoned [spaces](/handbook-trial/1-principles/intentions/spaces.md)), operational venues ([Circles](/handbook-trial/4-assemblies-and-deliberations/assemblies-and-deliberations/circles.md)), etc.

xxx Ostrom: **rules** as ‘scientific laws’ of successful commons, as generalised systems. Versus . 

xxx Bollier & Helfrich: **pattern language** as a narrative frame, a ‘scripting-language’, a ‘language-of-action’, a ‘choreography-repertoire’ of commoning; a repertoire for ’singing’ patterns into practice, by a (rehearsed) ‘chorus’ of commoners-with-history and with-mutuality and with-common-means.

In general, these should not be expected to clash with Ostrom's 'rules'. It's just that they are framed from the standpoint of an in-context, self-organising **actor** or community of actors, rather than from the externalised 'quasi-objective standpoint of economic or systems **'science'**.

The meet.coop handbook is basically framed in terms of **protocols**. We regard protocols as being framings of a similar kind to the 'patterns' that Bollier and Helfrich for practices of commoning. They are more locally specific to the particular commons that meet.coop provisions and stewards, but the way of working with them is basically similar. Protocols are patterns of practice: small pieces of organisatioanl life that give shape, dimension and intention to the commons of digital infrastructure and the multistakeholder practice of commoning.

See also:  \[[Commoning](/handbook-trial/1-principles/commoning.md)]

> More on protocols? Linked to [social relations](/handbook-trial/3-social-relations/design-and-operation-principles.md)? Linked to [political economy](/handbook-trial/2-political-economy/political-economy.md)? xxx