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Update cosmos comparison page (#5648)
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- Remove factually incorrect and outdated info
- Add a patch for OpenGov

A followup PR is needed to improve the content overall
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DrW3RK authored Mar 3, 2024
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28 changes: 11 additions & 17 deletions docs/learn/learn-comparisons-cosmos.md
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Expand Up @@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ is ongoing to implement IBC to Ethereum and it's layer 2s.
## Consensus

Polkadot uses a hybrid [consensus](learn-consensus.md) protocol with two sub-protocols: BABE and
GRANDPA, together called "Fast Forward". BABE (Blind Assignment for Blockchain Extension) uses a
GRANDPA. BABE (Blind Assignment for Blockchain Extension) uses a
verifiable random function (VRF) to assign slots to validators and a fallback round-robin pattern to
guarantee that each slot has an author. GRANDPA (GHOST-based Recursive Ancestor Deriving Prefix
Agreement) votes on chains, rather than individual blocks. Together, BABE can author candidate
Expand All @@ -79,16 +79,17 @@ blocks at a time).
This isolation of tasks provides several benefits. First, it represents a reduction in transport
complexity for both block production and finalization. BABE has linear complexity, making it easy to
scale to thousands of block producers with low networking overhead. GRANDPA has quadratic
complexity, but is reduced by a factor of the latency, or how many blocks it finalizes in one batch.
complexity, but has an advantage in terms of the latency. It is capable of finalizing multiple blocks
in one batch.

Second, having the capacity to extend the chain with unfinalized blocks allows other validators to
perform extensive availability and validity checks to ensure that no invalid state transitions make
their way into the final chain.
Second, having the capacity to extend the chain with unfinalized blocks allows for liveness of the
network and the validators to perform extensive availability and validity checks to ensure that no
invalid state transitions make their way into the final chain.

Cosmos chains use Tendermint consensus, a round-robin protocol that provides instant finality. Block
production and finalization are on the same path of the algorithm, meaning it produces and finalizes
one block at a time. Because it is a PBFT-based algorithm (like GRANDPA), it has quadratic transport
complexity, but can only finalize one block at a time.
one block at a time. Because it is a PBFT-based algorithm (like GRANDPA), it has quadratic
complexity, designed to finalize one block at a time.

## Staking Mechanics

Expand Down Expand Up @@ -144,19 +145,12 @@ IBC, as chains do not share state, receiving chains must trust the security of a

## Governance

Polkadot has a multicameral [governance](learn-governance.md) system with several avenues to pass
proposals. All proposals ultimately pass through a public referendum, where the majority of tokens
can always control the outcome. For low-turnout referenda, Polkadot uses adaptive quorum biasing to
set the passing threshold. Referenda can contain a variety of proposals, including fund allocation
Polkadot has [OpenGov](learn-polkadot-opengov.md) framewok with several trackss to pass
proposals as public referenda, where the majority of tokens
can always control the outcome. Referenda can contain a variety of proposals, including fund allocation
from an on-chain [Treasury](learn-treasury.md). Decisions get enacted on-chain and are binding and
autonomous.

Polkadot has several on-chain, permissionless bodies. The primary one is the Council, which
comprises a set of accounts that are elected in Phragmén fashion. The Council represents minority
interests and as such, proposals that are unanimously approved of by the Council have a lower
passing threshold in the public referendum. There is also a Technical Committee for making technical
recommendations (e.g. emergency runtime upgrade to fix a bug).

Cosmos uses coin-vote signaling to pass referenda. The actual enactment of governance decisions is
carried out via a protocol fork, much like other blockchains. All token holders can vote, however,
if a delegator abstains from a vote then the validator they delegate to assume their voting power.
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