If you had the ability to construct a civilization what would be the the first steps that you might take?
I guess I'd first have to define the Core Functionalities of the civilization, and then sketch those out.
After that, I'd have to plan the UI flow, design the database, and set up UX Wireframes. At which point I may be at the point where I can start programming, then debugging, then testing, and then release to beta.
Like your approach
I would start by building self-governing communes.
!00,000,000 self governing communes won't work unless they coperate with each other and that forms a government.
That wouldn't be my first step. I think you're putting the cart before the horse. They don't need to co-operate at first. They can rule themselves before they amalgamate.
My first step would be to establish a government that would set the rules , regulations and laws that a civilization would require to live a happy , successful life. It just makes sense to me to have these to make life easier. It may restrict a person from doing their own thing but I do not find that to be wrong if the general public benefits from the rule ,regulation or law. My civilization would be the rule of the majority verses the the rule of the individual and a recognition of the minority's position.