RE: Is the blockchain the new Global City? - Part I
Reaching consensus seems to be pretty much impossible. There are so many different groups who just can't find any meaningful compromise. Some of the differences are innate, for example Jonathan Haidt has been speaking about this, most notably in his book The Righteous Mind.
I agree about the power of culture. I've been libertarian for many years and recently understood better that laws are only one important piece in a successful society. Culture is another and it's highly undervalued nowadays.
My proposal for solution comes from totally different perspective than democracy. Instead of "voice" (like voting in elections and participating in decision making) we should focus on "exit" (if you don't like the current system, you should move to another which is better). We have to create bigger markets for different kind of states and societies and let people decide with their feet what's the one they prefer.
In a direct-democracy, there is no election just consensus learned in the collective process of decision making.
In this actual democracy of kleptocrat politicians, that steal the exercise of our will, by a bureaucratic act like elections, that gives the illusion of participation in common decision making of our destiny.
In my view, the blockchain is a good "exit" to be an infrastructure that can be used in the future and provide an environment for a better world where everybody can be heard and take ownership of their destiny in their hands, without the interference of chiefs or politicians.