Trust Beyond Force

From Leviathan to Living Systems: Evolving Trust at Every Scale

Hobbes' "Leviathan" famously describes a world without trust as "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short." His solution—enforced trust through sovereign power—transformed human society, enabling order on a large scale. This model, built on laws and consequences, remains effective for managing vast systems like states and corporations.

But in my daily work with smaller systems—training partners in martial arts, teams in conflict resolution, or just circles of friends—I observe trust operating differently. A training partner allows another to apply a chokehold not because of external enforcement but through a web of demonstrated competence, clear communication, and shared purpose. This trust emerges without a central authority.

The Scales of Trust

Examining trust at different scales reveals distinct mechanisms. Large-scale systems rely on Hobbesian enforcement: laws, contracts, and hierarchies. Smaller systems exhibit what I call a trust matrix: interconnected capabilities that create stability without central control. Both mechanisms are essential but operate differently.

Trust operates differently at different scales, much like physics shifts between quantum and cosmic levels. Large systems—governments, corporations, religions—depend on enforcement mechanisms: laws, contracts, and hierarchies. For instance, a bank customer’s trust relies on regulatory frameworks and deposit insurance, not personal connections.

Small systems, however, thrive on direct verification. In the dojo, trust builds through thousands of small interactions. Partners read physical cues, demonstrate control, and prioritize safety. Trust anchors—like competence, communication, and care—emerge organically through repeated actions. I call these trust anchors the stepping stones that support a stable system.

A Lesson from the Dojo

One day, a new student came to the dojo. Observing him, I learned he wasn’t there to train and learn but to "test us." This misaligned intent was dangerous. His sparring partner, unaware, was at risk of injury. Observing their interaction, I immediately stepped in, removed him from his partner, and offered him an alternative: a sparring session with me. By adjusting the trust matrix to contain his intent, I ensured safety without compromising the dojo’s principles.

This incident highlights the fragility of trust in small systems. A single misaligned actor can destabilize the entire network unless handled with clarity and control.

Building vs. Enforcing Trust

Trust develops differently when grown rather than imposed. Enforced trust relies on rules and consequences. Grown trust emerges through demonstrated capability and shared vulnerability. Both create predictable behavior, but through fundamentally different mechanisms.

The Trust Matrix

The trust matrix is a network of interconnected capabilities and truth values that create stability without central control. Like an ecosystem, its strength lies in the relationships between elements rather than any single component.

In the dojo, trust emerges through mutual verification. New students begin with simple exercises, gradually progressing as their control improves. Advanced practitioners adjust techniques to match partners’ abilities, demonstrating care and competence. Trust builds moment by moment.

Conclusion

Trust is not a binary choice but a complex matrix of interdependent capabilities. Large systems demand enforcement, while small systems thrive on mutual verification. Understanding these distinctions and where the systems interact is critical for building resilient systems in an increasingly interconnected world.

By improving processes where the trust matrix integrates with Hobbesian systems—through competence, vulnerability, and communication—we can bridge the gaps between Leviathan and living systems. In doing so, we adapt to complexity and nurture the hidden matrix that makes cooperation possible.