Safe Collective Expression with Social Assurance Contracts

Matthew Cashman

Papers from arXiv.org

Abstract: Controversial views often go unspoken because of fears of retaliation. Speaking up one at a time may encourage others to join in, but retaliation against early participants can stop that cascade before a group large enough to protect itself forms. However, a sufficiently large group could speak up safely if only they spoke up together. A Social Assurance Contract collects endorsements of a controversial view in private and publishes them only when the group is large enough to protect itself. Such contracts can tunnel under the barrier that stops public cascades, forming coalitions that one-by-one public organizing cannot reach.

Date: 2026-07, Revised 2026-09
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