Introduction: The Power of the Blockchain in Today's Society
Blockchain technology is no longer just a promise but a real tool transforming key industries and processes. From data management to digital voting, its impact extends beyond the financial sphere. During the World Token Congress 2024, Juanjo Ruizco-founder of Blockchaintoolspresented how his company is leading this change through case studies highlighting the potential of blockchain to support trust and transparency in participatory processes.
In this article, we will explore how Blockchaintools applies blockchain to solve current challenges in the management of democratic processes. In addition, we will analyse how this technology can complement and reinforce existing systems, fostering closer collaboration between the technology sector and institutions.
The Blockchain and the Modernisation of Participatory Processes
In a context where institutions are looking to innovate in order to respond to the demands of a more digitalised society, blockchain technology is a key tool. According to a recent report by the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS)only the 24% of Spanish citizens have confidence in political partiesThis underlines the importance of further strengthening confidence in democratic systems.
Blockchain: A Tool to Strengthen Trust and Confidence
- Immutability of Data: Records are kept intact and secure, providing transparency and reliability.
- Real-Time Collaboration: It allows processes to be audited openly, facilitating communication between institutions and citizens.
- Anonymity and Privacy: It ensures that the identity of participants is protected at all times.
- Accessibility: It makes it easier for citizens to participate from anywhere, making the system more inclusive.
These benefits not only optimise processes, but also offer an opportunity to strengthen ties between citizens and institutions, creating a space for collaboration and trust.
The Blockchaintools Vision: Innovate with Purpose
A Little History
Founded in 2014, Blockchaintools was born with the purpose of exploring the possibilities of blockchain beyond cryptocurrencies. According to Juanjo Ruiz, the initial idea was simple: to use the immutability, transparency and decentralisation of this technology to modernise traditional processes and adapt them to the needs of the present.
Participation in the World Token Congress 2024
During the World Token Congress 2024 which has been co-organised by Foment del Treball and the CEOE and was held in Barcelona on 27 and 28 November at the headquarters of the Catalan employers' association, Juanjo Ruiz presented a case study on 28 November at 12 noon, illustrating how blockchain can be a key tool for modernising participatory processes. This example was based on a project carried out at Lleida City Council, where blockchain technology was used to carry out citizen consultations in a transparent, secure and accessible way.
The Blockchain in Digital Voting: A Success Story
The Blockchaintools project in Lleida allowed the implementation of a digital voting system that proved to be efficient and accessible.
Outstanding results:
- Process Optimisation: Digitisation made it possible to carry out consultations in less time and with greater accuracy.
- Increased Participation: Thanks to the ease of use, more citizens were able to participate from mobile devices.
- Transparency and Security: Blockchain technology made it possible to record each vote in an immutable and accessible way for verification.
How the System Works
- Citizens register using a unique digital ID.
- They cast their vote through a secure blockchain-backed platform.
- Results are updated in real time, providing clarity and confidence in the process.
Liquid Democracy: Innovation in Participation
The concept of liquid democracy proposes a more flexible and specialised form of participation. During his speech at the World Token Congress, Juanjo Ruiz explained how this modality allows citizens to delegate their vote to experts for specific topics, while maintaining the ability to retrieve it at any time.
Advantages of Liquid Democracy:
- Broader Participation: More people can be involved in the processes, even those without in-depth technical knowledge.
- Informed Decision Making: Experts can represent citizens in specific areas, strengthening the quality of decisions.
- Flexibility and Control: Citizens can retrieve their vote whenever they wish, while maintaining a level of full control.
The Future of the Blockchain in Democratic Processes
In addition to local consultations, the blockchain has the potential to transform wider systems, such as national elections or business consultations. Examples include:
- International Voting: Facilitate the participation of citizens living abroad, ensuring that their voice is heard.
- Business Management: Large organisations could adopt blockchain to make internal decisions more transparently and efficiently.
- Automated Audits: From the casting of the vote to the final count, the blockchain enables continuous and verifiable tracking of the results.
Conclusion: Collaborative Modernisation with Blockchain
The CIS data reminds us of the importance of continuing to work on tools and processes that strengthen citizens' trust in institutions. The work of Blockchaintools and Juanjo Ruiz is a clear example of how blockchain technology can complement and reinforce current participatory systems. These tools offer new opportunities to modernise processes, build trust and increase efficiency.
The participation of Juanjo Ruiz in the World Token Congress 2024 stresses the importance of fostering collaboration between the technology sector and institutions to build joint solutions that meet the needs of the present and the future.
With the blockchain as an ally, institutions can move towards more inclusive, efficient and trustworthy models. Modernisation is within our reach. 🚀