In a group like TSA, a strong rule system is very important for encouraging good discussion and preventing it from turning into a pointless warzone like your old Social Group Representation group. And there hasn't been a single argument about the rule system (until this).
As far as the groups success/failure, there really isn't any way to tell. It might be working, and even if it isn't, it isn't doing any harm, so it's worth keeping it.