Canonical Definition

Authority & Responsibility defines the structure by which decision
power, execution, and accountability are explicitly assigned,
identity-bound, and non-transferable without traceability.

No system is governed if responsibility is undefined.

Purpose

This module ensures that:

• every decision has a defined authority
• every action has an accountable entity
• responsibility cannot be anonymous or detached

Core Principle

Decision without responsibility is system failure.

Minimum Implementation Framework (MIF)

The system MUST define:

1. Decision Authority (DA)

• entity authorized to make decisions
  

2. Execution Authority (EA)

• entity responsible for execution
  

3. Responsibility Holder (RH)

• entity legally and operationally accountable
  

Mandatory Conditions

• all roles MUST be assigned
• roles MUST be identity-bound
• roles MUST be attributable
• responsibility MUST not be anonymous

Prohibited Conditions

• undefined responsibility
• shared responsibility without traceability
• anonymous decision-making
• execution without accountable entity

Output

The system produces:

Clear Authority Mapping
Explicit Responsibility Assignment

System Condition

• Valid → all roles defined and active

• Invalid → any role missing or unassigned

Use Case 1 — Corporate Decision

Without module:

• multiple actors decide
• no clear accountability

With module:

• decision authority defined
• responsibility assigned

Result:

• accountability enforced

Use Case 2 — AI System Oversight

Without module:

• AI acts without clear responsibility

With module:

• human responsibility holder defined

Result:

• AI actions remain accountable

Closing Insight

If no one is responsible, the system is not governed.

→ CGRM Standard

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