Minecraft wiki entry for Building_a_metropolis, associated text: Constitutional Technocracy
Note: like communism, this requires a high level of initial resource investment.
The map is divided into public, private, and free zones.
In free zones, the only rule is "No explosions." Blocks in the free zone cannot be broken by TNT, creepers, etc.
Private zones are regions that only designated users are allowed to edit, place and break blocks, use TNT, etc.
Public spaces are maintained by dedicated admins and special server rules.
Public spaces contain resource-production facilities like cobble generators, farms, etc., that are free for anyone to work at. These facilities are surrounded by walls made unbreakable by the server rules.
Access into a public facility is free; but access also binds the user and takes away most of the user's privileges, such as the right to place blocks. (Only the privileges needed to use the facility remain available to the user.)
In order to have most of their privileges restored and leave the facility, the user must do something to repay whatever cost they incurred while using the facilities. (For example, if a person harvests 45 carrots by breaking 20 carrot plants at a public carrot farm, they must "pay" 20 carrots back to the facility by planting carrots in farmland somewhere within the farm. If they cut a tree, they have to plant a new one. They keep only their profit. Until they pay, users will be prevented by server rules from performing basic tasks like placing blocks, opening gates, etc.)
Even if a person manages to escape a facility, they will not be able to do much of anything; this will discourage people from attempting to cheat the system.
Facilities will be compartmentalized by chunks and only one user at a time will be allowed to use a given facility.
The reason for this is that if a user tries to grief by bailing (for example, if they harvest all the carrots and then disconnect from the server without either leaving or replanting the field), then the chunk will be automatically restored from backup and all the user's privileges of interaction will be automatically revoked. When the user reconnects, they will be asked to speak with an admin. If it is determined that they acted in good faith (for example, if the disconnect was unintentional), then they will be required to turn in all harvested supplies and try again.
Resisting arrest after being detained on suspicion of griefing and/or cheating will result in account termination.
Ultimately, the admins are expected to rule themselves to uphold the constitution and the server. All admins have the power to veto a potential new admin. It's a technocracy mostly because the server rules do all the real work of governing.