Chain and silk: alternative futures of blockchain governance in Kyrgyzstan
Anvar kyzy S. Dunn G.J. Sweeney J.A.
December 2022Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
European Journal of Futures Research
2022#10Issue 1
Few technologies have been mired in hype more than blockchain, which is the underlying peer-to-peer network protocol for cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. Given the technology’s emphasis on purported “immutable ledgers” and trust-less sharing models, there has been a great deal of interest in applying blockchain to democratic reforms. From localized decision-making to national-scale voting systems, blockchain has spurred a surge of interest in how democracy might “get a software update”. While significant research exists on socio-technological imaginaries (perceptions) and potential applications (experiments) within the Global North, few studies have looked at more dynamic contexts, particularly Central Asia. In light of the violence surrounding elections in October 2020 and previous revolutions against the country’s central government, the status of democracy in Kyrgyzstan is, at best, fragile and, at worst, non-existent. This article explores alternative futures scenarios for localized, blockchain-driven governance futures in Kyrgyzstan and concludes with a proposal for deeper investigation.
Blockchain , Central Asia , Leapfrog governance , Mapping social imaginaries , Scenarios
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American University of Central Asia, 7/6 Aaly Tokombaev street, Bishkek, 720060, Kyrgyzstan
Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd Center for Futuristic Studies, Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, P.O. Box 1664, Al Khobar, 31952, Saudi Arabia
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, 71 Al-Farabi Avenue, Almaty, 050040, Kazakhstan
Westminster International University in Tashkent, 12 Istiqbol street, Tashkent, 100047, Uzbekistan
American University of Central Asia
Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd Center for Futuristic Studies
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
Westminster International University in Tashkent
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