Challenge of the 464 is the title of this annual global online voting system. Here's a short history lesson.

During the past 200 years numerous organizations and institutions have come and gone.

Monarchies from around the world have been marginalized or deposed – England (1776), France (1789), China (1911), Russia (1917);

In 1945, two cities in Japan – Hiroshima and Nagazaki -- virtually disappeared from the face of the Earth;

The downfall of Communism began in 1989, which led to the fragmentation of Russia in 1991;

Just recently, Merrill Lynch and Wachovia were acquired by other financial institutions; Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac by the US government;

And the possible collapse of Wall Street, which can lead to global economic and financial chaos on an unimaginable scale.

Organizations and institutions (O&Is) come and go, to be replaced by others either better or weaker.

But there are some O&Is that humanity in the 21^st century cannot do without.

Do we risk the downfall of modern civilization with their disappearance?

The 2009 Challenge of the 464 is the first annual global online voting system that ranks these O&Is and their significance to modern civilization.

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While some O&Is can be allowed to disappear and fade away (e.g. Warsaw Pact, Enron), others are integral part of civilization and we cannot do without them.

These votes acts as a reminder of the threats, issues and, most importantly, challenges that face humanity.

Thus, THE Challenge to the 464 – the continuity of civilization as we know it, or to further raise it to a higher level.

Two hundred thirty-two (232) years have passed since the United States’ Declaration of Independence.

We are dedicating two O&Is for each and every year of its existence. This is a fitting tribute to the greatest experiment, so far, of democracy and free-market capitalism.

Each year we will add two (2) to this list, i.e. 466 in 2009, 468 in 2010, and so on.

Why? You continue to ask, as it seems so arbitrary. At this point we can’t really measure or gauge the significance. Ask us again in, say, ten, twenty, or fifty years. By that time we can provide empirical data to strengthen our methodology, and prove a theory based on a complex mathematical formula relevant to history that was discovered by one of the members of the group.

In no particular order:

- Nation, country, territory or principality with an operating and viable government

- Government or government agency

- Corporation, either publicly trading or privately held

- School, including a college or university

- Non-profit organization

- Religious organization or institution

- City or town

- Library or museum

- Radio, television or production company (media)

- Newspaper or magazine (publications)

- A ruling monarchy

The online voting starts on December 1, 2008 and runs until December 31, and shall run on the same dates every year hereafter, until changed.

No. Only online submissions will be included and counted.

Mailed submissions (letters, postcards, posters, parcels, etc.) will not be opened and will be shredded and/or discarded.

The system uses three groups of voters to rank the O&Is.

First track: Visitors on the website may register then vote for their choice/s. This will be accumulated and tallied.

VOTE here.

Second Track: Academics, scholars, and experts may register then vote for their choice/s. This will also be accumulated and tallied independent from the Visitors' votes.

VOTE here.

Third Track: The Advisory Board will create their own list independent from each other.

All three tracks will be tallied independently but charted together.

The official tally and results of the votes will be published on the second Saturday of January 2009.

Irreplaceable – it would be more expensive, in terms of money, and costly in terms of public trust and confidence, to dissolve, dismantle or replace the organization/institution.

Essential to global security and public safety – it would be a physical and psychological detriment to society and civilization to replace the organization/institution.

Recognition and respect – visitors of the website, the academe and other organizations agree that its loss or disability would be a major global catastrophe.

Foundational – which means other institutions or organizations will also begin to fail, as a consequence of a downfall. Without this organization or institution, civilization as we know it would end.

Longevity -- this doesn’t mean just because it’s old it will automatically be included in the list. The institution/organization must have been influential in the construction of civilization as we know it, still be relevant in today’s global affairs, and should be able to continue to maintain its relevance in the future.

Impact -- decisions made by members of the OI affect the whole world, either short-, medium-, or long-term in a positive and productive way.

Symbolic - represents, stands for, or protects democracy and free-market capitalism – the greatest and most successful social experiment in the history of mankind.

We ask those who will vote to, at least, try to substantiate your choices with reasoning, rationality, and logic, and not just feelings, emotions, arbitrary or random selections, or blind loyalty.

This is not a judgment, or a statement for the institutions included in the list, or a statement against those excluded from the list.

This is to remind ourselves what is important to us as a society and our civilization, for ourselves and our posterity.

This is not meant to polarize organizations, or encourage an attitude of us-against-them, or you-and-me-against-the-world.

This is not a hierarchy, exultation, declaration of supremacy, contest, or a competition between and among O&Is.

This is a legitimate academic study to record how humanity gauges and perceives its O&Is, which in turn becomes a monitor of our civilization.

This can also serve as a wake-up call and a reminder to organizations and their people.

When the world needs to be heard this website can be the voice to remind misguided or misinformed O&Is about their relationship and responsibilities to society.