Honor system

The Honor System is a philosophical way of running a variety of endeavors based on trust and honor. Something that operates under the rule of the "honor system" is usually something that doesn't have strictly enforced rules behind its functioning. In the UK, it would more often be called a "trust system", and should not be confused with the British honours system

An obvious example of the honor system in action would be a library. Libraries are usually free to join, and allow anyone to take out large quanties of their books to read at home. After a certain amount of time has passed, the library expects their books to be returned. If the books are not returned the library can fine the offender on a repeat visit, but in many ways the library is helpless to force its books to be returned. The library thus operates under the honor system, in that its continued functioning is heavily reliant on the co-operation and ethical behavior of its participants.