@kissane This is something I think about regularly, as the developer of a multi-user fedi project. Like the point you make about teaching users to understand and reason about governance is a great one. I have the same question, but for admins. And again for the project overall. How can the software/project help ask and answer those questions? How can it make the answers discoverable and legible to prospective members?
I love that you're taking this on, and I'd love to help if I can.