Computable·Authority
← Module 1 · The Policy Problem

Lecture 1.3

Human-Readable vs Machine-Readable Authority

Machine-readability is often treated as a downgrade of legal text. This lecture argues the opposite: the machine-readable form is a second, disciplined expression of the same authority, and the two forms must be governed together.

Learning objectives

After this lesson, the reader should understand:

  • 01Separate the authority itself from its human and machine expressions.
  • 02Explain why parallel expressions require an explicit precedence rule.
  • 03Describe how ambiguity surfaces when a policy is expressed twice.

Concept framework

Dual expression

  1. 01Institutional authority
  2. 02Human-readable expression (the instrument)
  3. 03Machine-readable expression (the artifact)
  4. 04Declared precedence between them
  5. 05Shared version and issuing authority

Case study

Tax guidance and its calculator

When an official calculator and the published guidance disagree, which one is the authority?

Most institutions have never answered this question, which is why calculators are published with disclaimers. Under computable authority the question is answered before release: either the artifact is authoritative and the prose is explanatory, or the prose is authoritative and the artifact is a compiled representation whose divergence is a defect to be corrected under version control. Silence on precedence is itself a governance failure.

Discussion questions

  • Should the artifact ever be the primary legal instrument?
  • What review process should a compiled artifact pass before issue?
  • How is divergence between the two forms detected?

Exercise

Express one rule in both forms.

  1. 01Write the rule as an institution would publish it.
  2. 02Write the same rule as conditions and an outcome.
  3. 03List every difference in meaning between the two.
  4. 04Decide which form governs, and record why.

Research notes

  • Legisprudence and drafting conventions.
  • Bidirectional traceability in requirements engineering.
  • Case law on reliance upon official automated tools.
All lectures in this moduleGlossary of terms