Models That Inspire
A curated collection of real-world examples with meaningful societal elements. Explore ideas across cultures, regions, systems and history.
No example is presented as perfect or superior. Every society may contain thoughtful, wise or inspiring approaches worth learning from, adapting and combining for the future.
Additional examples and perspectives are always welcome through Contribute your Ideas and Wisdom.
Use filters below to explore by theme, region, and era.
Regional map illustrations: created with MapChart.net, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Republic of Ragusa (Dubrovnik)
Dubrovnik, Croatia
A maritime republic known for pragmatic diplomacy, legal consistency, and civic continuity over centuries.
Key element: Independent institutions with balanced external relations.
Why this matters today: It shows a practical path for "Governance and Diplomacy" that can be applied in today's societies.
Can be adapted for: Can be adapted for local communities, cities, schools, or digital civic groups.
Trade-off to consider: Needs local adaptation and clear communication to work well in different cultures and legal systems.
Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica - DubrovnikExplore the full list
Filter by theme, region, and era. Within each theme, examples are sorted alphabetically, then lightly reordered to reduce back-to-back repeats of the same country or region. "Worldwide (multilateral)" lists only entries with global or cross-border institutions — not every country. To browse all geographic areas for a theme, choose "All regions".
Contents (by theme)
Technology Governance
AI Ethics Councils, France
France
Oversight structures for reviewing social impacts of AI systems.
Key element: Ethical review embedded in technology policy.
Why this matters today: It shows a practical path for "Technology Governance" that can be applied in today's societies.
Can be adapted for: Can be adapted for local communities, cities, schools, or digital civic groups.
Trade-off to consider: Needs local adaptation and clear communication to work well in different cultures and legal systems.
Source: OECD STIP - France AI Policy InitiativeAdditional source: EU AI Watch - France AI Strategy ReportGlobal Cooperation
Antarctic Treaty — Global Agreement & Worldwide Consensus — Peace and scientific exploration
Antarctica (Antarctic Treaty System)
An international system oriented toward peaceful use, scientific cooperation, and environmental protection of Antarctica.
Key element: Treaty-based norms that prioritize science and stability in a shared global space.
Why this matters today: It shows a practical path for "Global Cooperation" that can be applied in today's societies.
Can be adapted for: Can be adapted for local communities, cities, schools, or digital civic groups.
Trade-off to consider: Needs local adaptation and clear communication to work well in different cultures and legal systems.
Source: Antarctic Treaty SecretariatAdditional source: ETH MUN - Antarctic Treaty OverviewEducation and Reconciliation
Anti-Racism Curriculum, South Africa
South Africa
Education initiatives promoting reconciliation and anti-racist civic culture.
Key element: School-based social healing framework.
Why this matters today: It shows a practical path for "Education and Reconciliation" that can be applied in today's societies.
Can be adapted for: Can be adapted for local communities, cities, schools, or digital civic groups.
Trade-off to consider: Needs local adaptation and clear communication to work well in different cultures and legal systems.
Source: South African Government - National Action Plan Against RacismAdditional source: University of Pretoria CHR - Racial Justice CampaignPolicy Innovation
Aotearoa New Zealand Wellbeing Budget
New Zealand
Budget framing expanded beyond GDP toward wellbeing indicators and cross-sector outcomes.
Key element: Outcome-based policy planning.
Why this matters today: It shows a practical path for "Policy Innovation" that can be applied in today's societies.
Can be adapted for: Can be adapted for local communities, cities, schools, or digital civic groups.
Trade-off to consider: Needs local adaptation and clear communication to work well in different cultures and legal systems.
Source: WEAll - New Zealand Implementing the Wellbeing BudgetEconomic Governance
Botswana Resource Governance
Botswana
Relatively strong institutional handling of resource revenues with long-term developmental planning.
Key element: Governance quality in resource management.
Why this matters today: It shows a practical path for "Economic Governance" that can be applied in today's societies.
Can be adapted for: Can be adapted for local communities, cities, schools, or digital civic groups.
Trade-off to consider: Needs local adaptation and clear communication to work well in different cultures and legal systems.
Source: International IDEA - Mineral Resource Governance in BotswanaUrban Sustainability
Circular Economy Zones, Netherlands
Netherlands
Urban districts designed for reuse, regeneration, and low waste.
Key element: Circularity embedded in city planning.
Why this matters today: It shows a practical path for "Urban Sustainability" that can be applied in today's societies.
Can be adapted for: Can be adapted for local communities, cities, schools, or digital civic groups.
Trade-off to consider: Needs local adaptation and clear communication to work well in different cultures and legal systems.
Source: Ellen MacArthur Foundation - Amsterdam Circular ExampleDeliberative Democracy
Citizen Assemblies, Ireland
Ireland
Representative citizen panels shaping national-level decisions.
Key element: Structured public deliberation with policy impact.
Why this matters today: It shows a practical path for "Deliberative Democracy" that can be applied in today's societies.
Can be adapted for: Can be adapted for neighborhood councils, youth councils, or citizen panels.
Trade-off to consider: Needs local adaptation and clear communication to work well in different cultures and legal systems.
Source: The Citizens' Assembly of Ireland - FAQParticipatory Science
Citizen Science Laws, USA
USA
Legal support for public participation in scientific data initiatives.
Key element: Citizen contribution in formal evidence pipelines.
Why this matters today: It shows a practical path for "Participatory Science" that can be applied in today's societies.
Can be adapted for: Can be adapted for local communities, cities, schools, or digital civic groups.
Trade-off to consider: Needs local adaptation and clear communication to work well in different cultures and legal systems.
Source: USA.gov - Citizen ScienceAdditional source: Environmental Law Institute - Participatory ScienceHumanitarian Governance
City of Refuge, Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece
Historical refuge structures for people fleeing persecution or injustice.
Key element: Institutionalized sanctuary principles.
Why this matters today: It shows a practical path for "Humanitarian Governance" that can be applied in today's societies.
Can be adapted for: Can be adapted for local communities, cities, schools, or digital civic groups.
Trade-off to consider: Needs local adaptation and clear communication to work well in different cultures and legal systems.
Source: Wikipedia - Asylum (Antiquity)Additional source: openDemocracy - 4000 Years of AsylumEnvironmental Policy
Clean Air Policies, Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Strict standards and planning choices that reduced pollution in cities.
Key element: Public-health-driven environmental regulation.
Why this matters today: It shows a practical path for "Environmental Policy" that can be applied in today's societies.
Can be adapted for: Can be adapted for local communities, cities, schools, or digital civic groups.
Trade-off to consider: Needs local adaptation and clear communication to work well in different cultures and legal systems.
Source: University of Gothenburg - Cleaner Air in Swedish CitiesAdditional source: Karolinska Institutet - Cleaner Air Health BenefitsEcological Culture
Commemorative Tree Planting — When life begins or ends, plant a tree
Global (many cultures)
Cross-cultural traditions linking births, deaths, and remembrance to planting trees as living stewardship.
Key element: Honoring life transitions by growing long-term ecological heritage.
Why this matters today: It shows a practical path for "Ecological Culture" that can be applied in today's societies.
Can be adapted for: Can be adapted for local communities, cities, schools, or digital civic groups.
Trade-off to consider: Needs local adaptation and clear communication to work well in different cultures and legal systems.
Source: International Tree Foundation - Cultural TraditionsAdditional source: English Heritage - Commemorative TreesJustice and Mediation
Community Dispute Boards, Indigenous Australia
Australia
Consensus-based justice rooted in local culture and restorative principles.
Key element: Community-centered conflict resolution.
Why this matters today: It shows a practical path for "Justice and Mediation" that can be applied in today's societies.
Can be adapted for: Can be adapted for local mediation boards, school conflict resolution, or municipal legal access points.
Trade-off to consider: Needs local adaptation and clear communication to work well in different cultures and legal systems.
Source: AIGI - Understand Peacemaking ToolkitAdditional source: Indigenous Justice - Community Mediation ResourcesConflict Resolution Elders, Africa
Africa
Community elders mediating disputes through restorative dialogue.
Key element: Customary conflict resolution in practice.
Why this matters today: It shows a practical path for "Justice and Mediation" that can be applied in today's societies.
Can be adapted for: Can be adapted for local mediation boards, school conflict resolution, or municipal legal access points.
Trade-off to consider: Needs local adaptation and clear communication to work well in different cultures and legal systems.
Source: ACCORD - Traditional Methods of Conflict ResolutionPublic Service Systems
Confucian Meritocracy, China — Civil service selection based on performance, shaping governance
China
Long traditions of examinations and performance norms informing administrative recruitment and expectations.
Key element: Merit signals tied to public duties and accountability pressures.
Why this matters today: It shows a practical path for "Public Service Systems" that can be applied in today's societies.
Can be adapted for: Can be adapted for local communities, cities, schools, or digital civic groups.
Trade-off to consider: Needs local adaptation and clear communication to work well in different cultures and legal systems.
Source: GKG Legal - Choosing Top Civil ServantsAdditional source: CGTN - China Official Selection and Election OverviewPeace and Institutions
Costa Rica Demilitarization Path
Costa Rica
A strategic shift away from military expenditure toward education, health, and civil institutions.
Key element: Institutional peace dividend.
Why this matters today: It shows a practical path for "Peace and Institutions" that can be applied in today's societies.
Can be adapted for: Can be adapted for local communities, cities, schools, or digital civic groups.
Trade-off to consider: Needs local adaptation and clear communication to work well in different cultures and legal systems.
Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica - Costa Rica (security and demilitarization)Digital Rights
Data Sovereignty, India
India
Efforts to localize data and strengthen citizens’ digital rights.
Key element: National data governance tied to civil protections.
Why this matters today: It shows a practical path for "Digital Rights" that can be applied in today's societies.
Can be adapted for: Can be adapted for city services, public forms, and safer citizen access to digital tools.
Trade-off to consider: Needs local adaptation and clear communication to work well in different cultures and legal systems.
Source: East Asia Forum - India's Search for Data SovereigntyAdditional source: Economic Times CIO - India Digital Sovereignty and Data ControlPlural Justice
Decolonial Legal Systems, Bolivia — Integration of indigenous justice into formal law
Bolivia
Formal recognition of indigenous justice alongside state law, enabling culturally grounded dispute resolution.
Key element: Legal pluralism with Indigenous legitimacy and procedural safeguards.
Why this matters today: It shows a practical path for "Plural Justice" that can be applied in today's societies.
Can be adapted for: Can be adapted for local mediation boards, school conflict resolution, or municipal legal access points.
Trade-off to consider: Needs local adaptation and clear communication to work well in different cultures and legal systems.
Source: AnthroSource - Bolivia Plural Legal FrameworksAdditional source: IWGIA - Bolivia Country ContextDigital Governance
Digital Identity & Privacy, Estonia
Estonia
Citizen-controlled digital ID systems with service interoperability.
Key element: Secure digital public infrastructure.
Why this matters today: It shows a practical path for "Digital Governance" that can be applied in today's societies.
Can be adapted for: Can be adapted for city services, public forms, and safer citizen access to digital tools.
Trade-off to consider: Needs local adaptation and clear communication to work well in different cultures and legal systems.
Source: e-Estonia - Digital ID and PrivacyShowing 18 of 59 examples.