The Bypass Trap
When a workaround succeeds, pressure to fix the core disappears — unless you design a sunset.
Run the simulation to see the chart.
Core Quality Bypass Quality Pressure
Core Quality
30.0
Bypass Quality
50.0
Reform Pressure
70.0
How this works
A dysfunctional core institution (red) starts with low quality. A bypass (blue) emerges with higher effectiveness.
As the bypass succeeds, reform pressure (orange) drops. Without a sunset condition, pressure never returns, and the core is never reformed — it decays.
Toggle Sunset Condition ON to see how a deliberate trigger can restore pressure and force core reform. The bypass then becomes a catalyst instead of a trap.