Blockchain Revolution

THE SECOND ERA OF DEMOCRACY
While representative democracy is complex and varies globally, one thing remains
constant: passive citizenry. To date the discussion has focused on how blockchain
technology can help create the conditions for fair, secure, and convenient voting to
occur. To be sure, we have big opportunities. Online voting based on the blockchain
would enable citizens to give their views more often. But attempting to replace
representative democracy would be a mistake. “Motions put to a vote are usually well
refined distillations of large and complex issues. They result from a long process
involving conflicts, contradictions and compromises. To understand a motion and to
vote responsibly, citizens need to participate in some form of refining process,” Don
wrote in The Digital Economy more than twenty years ago.
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However, if we

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understand the contours of a new model, we can see how blockchain technology can
help far beyond voting.