Coherence

Symbol: C or χ (chi)

Definition: Stable, low-surprise coordination among system components. The alignment between what is stated and what is actual.

In Social Systems

• χ = 1 means perfect alignment (stated = actual)
• χ = 0 means complete misalignment (stated ≠ actual)
• χ declining over time means drift

The Coherence Metric

When what you say matches what you do, you’re coherent. When what the law promises matches what the law delivers, the system is coherent. When a society’s stated principles match its lived reality, that society has high coherence.

Related

• Drift - the rate of departure from coherence
• Phase Transition - when drift exceeds correction capacity
• The Logos - total coherence; the unified informational field