The GovLab Selected Readings on Blockchain Technology and Its Potential for Transforming Governance
As part of an ongoing effort to build a knowledge base for the field of opening governance by organizing and disseminating its learnings, the GovLab Selected Readings series provides an annotated and curated collection of recommended works on key opening
- Prianka Srinivasan, Robert Montano, Andrew Young, and Stefaan G. Verhulst for GovLab April 20th, 2017
- Source: http://thegovlab.org/the-govlab-selected-readings-on-blockchain-technology-and-its-potential-for-transforming-governance/
Introduction: In 2008, an unknown source calling itself Satoshi Nakamoto released a paper named Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System which introduced blockchain technology. Blockchain is a novel system that uses a distributed ledger to record transactions and ensure compliance. Blockchain technology relies on an ability to act as a vast, transparent, and secure public database.
It has since gained recognition as a tool to transform governance by creating a decentralized system to
- manage and protect identity,
- trace and track; and
- incentivize smarter social and business contracts.
