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