As globalization and the modernization induced by advancements in technology have grown exponentially since the start of the century, a revolution of understanding about the relationship between governments and citizens has emerged. The emergence of blockchain technologies has facilitated the conception of ideas surrounding blockchain’s implementation in a governing context. Blockchain’s data recording structure is attractive to a multitude of theorists who envision diverse applications for the technology various governing contexts. Blockchain’s ability to create an immutable record which engenders trust and transparency between parties has broad application possibilities for governing bodies. Blockchain technology has been recognized as a valuable addition to current record keeping systems. Systems such as registries for land titles in which immutability and clear chain of title are necessary facets of legal transactions. Blockchain in these record keeping systems is already being put into practice in the United States, Sweden, and Honduras. These blockchain registration systems help to promote the prevention of fraud, decrease the instances of double registry, and increase verifiability of title which in turn helps with the ability to conduct legal land transfers and facilitates land based financial transactions. Other applications of blockchain technology have been implemented in the context of a citizens’ digital identity. In Estonia, almost all public services are digitalized and accessed through secure digital identities that are available to every citizen and resident. Within these services is a distributed ledger that can never be erased or rewritten, in other words, it is blockchain. Blockchain gives citizens and residents more access to and control over their own data. An example of this control is the Healthcare Registry. Estonians can log into their own healthcare records using their digital identities and see which medical professionals have logged into their records and what changes have been made. In Estonia, blockchain has revolutionized the citizenry’s ability to interact with government and services. Estonia’s use of blockchain in creating and maintaining a digital identity for its citizens is an example of the modernization of governance through the use of technology for governments throughout the world. The relationship between blockchain and governance is taken to perhaps its ultimate conclusion in the idea of voluntary nations such as Bitnation. Bitnation is an organization striving to become the first world digital state which will be a Decentralized Borderless Voluntary Nation (DBVN) conducted through the use of blockchain technology. Bitnation uses blockchain to record identity, registrations, records, and other legal events such as marriages and births for its voluntary citizens. Although Bitnation, being a DBVN, is an extreme example of where blockchain technology could take governance, it is very unlikely such governing structures are in there near future. However, it does serve as an interesting example of blockchains ability to impact government. Blockchain has the potential to create opportunities and advancements for citizens of various nations across the globe. Although it should not be relied upon at this stage to provide a complete governing structure, blockchain technology should be harnessed and utilized in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of governance.
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