Blockchain for the People:
Decentralized Innovation, Inclusion, and Social Justice
Introduction
The twenty‑first
century is defined by digital infrastructures that reshape how we live, work,
and govern ourselves. Among these, blockchain has emerged as one of the most
debated technologies—celebrated for its promise of decentralization, yet
criticized for its volatility and speculative use. My new book, Blockchain
for the People: Decentralized Innovation, Inclusion, and Social Justice
(ISBN: 978‑620‑9‑27974‑4), seeks to move beyond hype and ask a fundamental
question: Can blockchain truly serve the people, and if so, how?
Why This Book?
Too often,
blockchain is equated with cryptocurrencies and trading platforms. But at its
core, blockchain is about trust, transparency, and accountability without
centralized intermediaries. The challenge lies in ensuring that these
values are not captured by powerful actors alone—startups, corporations, or
investors—but extended to those historically excluded from digital
transformation.
This book
builds on my earlier work, Artificial Intelligence in the Global South:
Challenges, Opportunities, and Policy Pathways, where I examined AI through
the lens of marginalized contexts. Here, I extend that lens to blockchain, situating
it as a socio‑technical system deeply embedded in questions of power,
justice, and equity.
Structure of the Book
The book is
organized into five parts, each addressing a different dimension of
blockchain’s potential and pitfalls:
- Foundations: Theoretical and conceptual
perspectives on blockchain, democracy, and inclusion.
- Policy & Governance: How states, regulators, and
international institutions are shaping blockchain ecosystems.
- Applications: Practical use cases including
decentralized finance, digital identity, social services, and elections.
- Regional Experiences: Case studies from Africa,
South Asia, and Latin America.
- Critical Challenges: Environmental, ethical, and
political implications of blockchain adoption.
Key Themes
- Decentralization vs.
Concentration:
Blockchain promises to distribute power, yet mining pools, token
ownership, and regulatory frameworks often reproduce hierarchies.
- Inclusion vs. Exclusion: While blockchain can enable
financial inclusion and transparent governance, its design and deployment
frequently overlook vulnerable communities.
- Technology vs. Society: Blockchain is not neutral—it
reflects the values, priorities, and power structures of those who build
and govern it.
Audiences
This book is
written for multiple audiences:
- Policymakers: Pathways to harness
blockchain responsibly for social good.
- Scholars & Students: Conceptual and empirical
insights into technology, governance, and justice.
- Practitioners & Activists: Critical questions about
inclusion, ownership, and accountability in decentralized systems.
Conclusion
Blockchain
is evolving rapidly, with new applications emerging alongside regulatory
experiments and political contestations. This book does not claim to provide
definitive answers, nor does it treat blockchain as a silver bullet. Instead,
it invites readers to think critically about what it means to design, govern,
and sustain technologies for the people.
If this work
contributes to a more nuanced and socially grounded conversation about
blockchain, then it will have achieved its purpose.
🌐 Available here: Blockchain for the People - https://www.morebooks.de/shop-ui/shop/search?q=%20978-620-9-27974-4&page=1
