The degree of authority interdependence and incentive divergence embedded within an execution environment.
Full Definition
Political Complexity refers to the structural density of overlapping authority, competing incentives, and influence dynamics within a system.
It is not defined by conflict.
It is defined by incentive misalignment.
Political Complexity increases when:
• Authority overlaps across layers
• Accountability is distributed ambiguously
• Incentives are misaligned
• Escalation paths intersect with power structures
• Strategic intent competes with local priorities
In politically simple systems, authority and accountability align clearly.
In politically complex systems, decision nodes must interpret not only constraints, but influence.
Political Complexity does not require dysfunction.
It increases interpretive burden.
When political density rises without structural clarity:
• Decision Integrity weakens
• Authority Diffusion accelerates
• Escalation becomes selective
• Execution Stability declines
Political Complexity is structural, not personal.
Structural Role in NAP
Within NAP, Political Complexity functions as a dimension of Complexity Structure.
It shapes:
• How decisions propagate
• How escalation behaves
• How authority is exercised
• How boundaries are respected or bypassed
Political Complexity amplifies cognitive demand at decision nodes.
Systems with high political density require stronger:
• Decision Boundaries
• Activation Lines
• Authority definitions
Without architectural precision, political complexity converts into structural distortion.
Stable systems align authority and accountability.
Unstable systems allow influence to override structure.
