Chapter 1: The Flaws in Our Current Systems

Today’s laws and governance structures are far from ideal. Corruption, loopholes, and exploitation are rampant across various sectors, including economics, politics, and social rights. Many blame human nature, suggesting that greed and corruption are inherent traits that hinder societal progress. However, I argue that it’s not humanity at fault; rather, it’s the systems that mold human behavior. In a perverse twist on Murphy’s law, if a system allows something, it is bound to happen.

This leads us to a vital question: what if we could create mechanisms to limit human actions within a system without relying on individuals to enforce them? Imagine a framework where regulations are embedded within the system itself, creating a more equitable environment. This article explores how programming—specifically through smart contracts—can transform our social landscape alongside its technological advancements.

Chapter 2: The Power of Code

Let’s begin with a fundamental truth: humans have the capacity to act freely, often at the expense of others and the environment. To mitigate this, we’ve established societies that impose regulations to maximize collective benefits while minimizing individual drawbacks. These regulations take the form of laws, which are enforced by individuals wielding power, often resorting to violence.

The creation and enforcement of laws are heavily influenced by politicians, who have the authority to modify or abolish regulations to suit their interests. In this landscape, human judgment is paramount, but it is also fallible. As soon as someone opts to ignore the rules for personal gain, corruption seeps in.

What distinguishes code is its self-enforcing nature. Once implemented, code operates consistently, regardless of who oversees it or wishes to alter its function. Unlike human actors, code cannot be bribed or misinterpreted. Modifying code often requires consensus rather than unilateral authority, especially in decentralized systems like blockchain.

Given these attributes, code appears to be a more reliable foundation for societal governance than our current systems. Yet, the pressing question remains: how can we utilize code to tackle social challenges?

Chapter 3: Smart Contracts as a Solution

Our society is fundamentally built on contracts—both formal and informal agreements that define responsibilities and benefits. A pertinent example is the social contract theorized by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, where citizens pay taxes to politicians in exchange for their service.

However, when politicians choose to act selfishly, existing laws may fail to hold them accountable due to various factors, such as bribery or the complexities of legal processes.

Now, imagine if politicians’ access to public funds was governed by a smart contract. This code would stipulate that funds could only be accessed when a majority of citizens express their approval. At any moment, a citizen could revoke their vote, thereby withdrawing support from a politician or government.

In this scenario, citizens could effectively lock corrupt politicians out of public finances instantly, triggering consequences without needing the cooperation of other officials.

Chapter 4: Expanding the Use of Smart Contracts

The potential applications for smart contracts are vast:

1. Enhanced Transparency: By establishing a smart contract that mandates financial disclosures, we can promote greater accountability. A clause could require recipients to confirm their involvement in transactions.
2. Controlled Access to Information: Sensitive platforms could generate unique access keys split between politicians and the legislature, ensuring that without proper approval, politicians lack access to critical information.
3. Automated Taxation: Utilizing cryptocurrency, wallets could be designed to automatically deduct taxes from transactions, preventing individuals from exploiting loopholes.
4. Wealth Limitation: Smart contracts could enforce limits on individual wealth, automatically redirecting excess funds to designated wallets when thresholds are exceeded.

These applications are merely speculative, and with the right expertise, the scope of smart contracts could extend far beyond what we currently envision.

Chapter 5: The Future of Governance

In conclusion, just as laws provide a framework for society, code can serve a similar purpose. With inherent rules and consequences, a coded infrastructure has the potential to enforce social norms without human intervention.

Technology offers us the means to establish robust guidelines for societal organization, ones that discourage corruption and promote transparency. In this light, I firmly believe that code can embody the essence of law. The question remains: will smart contracts and programming shape the future of governance and social structure? The answer lies in who is currently at the helm.

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An Injustice!

A new intersectional publication focused on diverse voices, values, and identities.

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