Blockchain for Government

The Steem Blockchain is currently set up to be a social media platform that is able to reward interaction with currency. On a deeper level though, it can be seen as a tool for social organization. As a developmental process, blockchain technology and the social blockchain is still disruptive, emergent and experimental. The initial idea of crypto-currency (Bitcoin) quickly inspired projects like Ethereum that took the potential of The Blockchain away from a mere ledger recording, into the realm of smart contracts and dapps. Similarly, the initial idea of Steem being a platform to reward interaction with currency, can be extended to social organization in general.

Imagine a public key serving as identification for personal and business purposes. A private key or private keys would then give the citizen certain rights and credits for interacting with the social organizing system.
A government to end politics. A Constitution that makes rules obsolete.

Nations organized geographically or otherwise... can formulate and develop guidelines, rights and policy through direct interaction with other citizens. Proposals can be suggested, discussed and voted upon without drama and celebrity.
Services can be developed and maintained by qualified technicians. Human resources and organization can be organized by professional managers. All activities of those entrusted by the people will be documented and available to be analysed by any citizen.

For those of us who would rather be busy with other things... a proxy system can be used. Delegation of rights and responsibilities, even varying degrees of tax liability according to positive involvement can be organically developed and executed. Chosen by ethno-cultural, religious, geographical (neighborhoods) or by interest group (e.g. environmental, philosophical etc), representatives can work for citizens at an intimate grassroots level, with ample communication and direct responsibility and liability to those they represent. An inclusive blockchain based dynamic and transparent parliament.

The risks I foresee would be extremist groups, organized crime or other nations securing disproportionate power through means of intimidation. Safeguards will have to be implemented carefully and with due consideration to minimize corruption at any level. The goal would be to be able to do away with punitive measures. ‘Controls’ should be at a systemic level. Any abuses that occur will need to be looked at from a causation point of view and steps taken at that level, rather than trying to eradicate the result. In decisions of adjustments to the system, due process, discussion and consensus will be essential.

Technologically speaking, it would be essential to make advancement and evolution of the blockchain a high priority. The high level of efficiency that will be possible without bureaucracy would leave ample time and resources for a state of constant fixing and tweaking through patches and hard forks. The attention that present day governments have towards military technology and population ‘control’ measures should be applied to social blockchain development. All changes, publicly proposed, discussed and decided upon by the citizens and their freely chosen representatives.

…….. that is a vision of mine, it’s not perfect, I’m not delusional. Socially speaking, perfection is a delusion. The need for improvement, though, is insatiable…

Photo from Pixabay on Pexels

Thank you for reading!