PolitePaxos: A New Consensus Variant Where the Proposer Just Asks Nicely

Paxos consensus protocol, despite its many theoretical virtues, is fundamentally rude. One need only look at the way it behaves to see the problem. A leader seizes power. It dictates values. When two leaders happen to propose simultaneously, they do not pause, tip their hats, and work things out over tea. No, they duel, each furiously incrementing ballot numbers at the other like barbarians…