Recognition Glossary · Draft v0.1.0
Taxonomy for Recognising Extraction
A descriptive vocabulary for recognising observable patterns in which value created through one actor’s contributions is persistently and disproportionately captured by another.
Purpose
This taxonomy supports recognition, description and evidence-based reasoning about extraction patterns.
It does not prescribe methods for increasing value capture, organisational optimisation or commercial advantage.
Actor
A participant in an interaction
An Actor is any person, community, organisation, institution, government or technical system capable of contributing, participating or receiving value.
Contribution
An input that creates or sustains value
A Contribution is labour, knowledge, creativity, care, capability, data, attention, relationships, resources or another input that participates in creating or maintaining value.
Value
Something regarded as beneficial
Value is any financial, intellectual, cultural, environmental, social, technological, relational or personal benefit recognised by one or more actors.
Value Return
Value received by a contributor
Value Return is the value received by an actor in recognition of, or in exchange for, their contribution.
Extraction Pattern
A persistent imbalance between contribution and return
An Extraction Pattern is a persistent pattern of interaction in which one actor captures substantially more value from another actor’s contributions than it returns, relative to the norms, agreements and governance of their relationship.
Recognition Characteristics
Observable indications that may warrant review
- Persistent imbalance between contribution and value returned.
- Repeated undervaluation or insufficient recognition of contributions.
- Disproportionate concentration of benefits.
- Limited transparency about how value is distributed.
- Weak or absent mechanisms for accountability or redress.
- Increasing contributor dependency without proportionate benefit.
These characteristics are indicators only and should not be treated as proof in isolation.
Evidence
Recognition should be grounded in observable information
Relevant evidence may include documented contributions, value received, agreements, governance arrangements, decision-making structures, public records and independently verifiable observations.
Interpretation
Recognition is not automatically accusation
Identifying an Extraction Pattern does not by itself establish unlawful behaviour, malicious intent, contractual breach or exploitation in a legal sense. It identifies a pattern that may warrant explanation, investigation or review.
Boundary of Use
This taxonomy exists to improve recognition, transparency and informed human judgement. It is not a framework for optimising extraction, manipulating contributors or increasing value capture.