Political Stress Analysis & Testing (PSAT): Methodological Manual

Abstract

The Political Stress Analysis & Testing (PSAT) framework is a diagnostic tool for assessing stress in governance systems. Originating in the study of parasitic systems — those that persist through repression, fiscal dependence, and cultural violation — PSAT has been refined into a generalizable method for identifying governance strain. The framework combines four core metrics (Institutional Dependency, Rent/Fiscal Reliance, Cultural Uncertainty, Informal Suppression) with safety rules, source weighting, and inter-rater protocols. Unlike predictive models, PSAT produces stress hypothesesbounded by specific time periods, accompanied by falsifiers and constraints. The manual provides the full methodological specification, safeguards, and appendices (AI usage, training, dynamic analysis).

Earlier versions were published as Parasitic Systems and the Persistence of Harm. The framework has since been expanded and renamed Political Stress Analysis & Testing (PSAT) to reflect its broader scope and methodological focus.

Description

This document is the authoritative specification of the PSAT framework (v3.0). It includes:

• Preface: Intellectual origins in ecological resilience, social movement theory, capture theory, and political settlements.

• Part I: Descriptive foundations and workflow.

• Part II: Formal specification of metrics, validation, typology, and governance safeguards.

• Part III: Three flagship worked examples (Bolivia lithium, India Free Basics, Standing Rock).

• Part IV: Limitations, challenges, and suggestions for improvement.

• Appendices: Field sheets, source weighting, changelog, AI usage, training protocol, and optional dynamic analysis module.

PSAT’s design emphasizes actionable simplicity, safety, and transparency. It is suited for researchers, practitioners, and educators in political ecology, governance studies, and social movement analysis.