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Techquitable

The future of constitutions and blockchains with Professor Eric Alston

Jul 9, 2024
Professor Eric Alston, a DRC Fellow specializing in economics and law, shares his insightful perspectives on decentralization in digital governance. He discusses the transformative impact of blockchains on constitutions and institutions. Alston highlights the balance between privacy rights and compliance, introducing zero-knowledge proofs as a key solution. He also emphasizes the need for equitable governance models that prioritize user needs in a hyper-connected world, advocating for a passion-driven approach to career growth in this evolving landscape.
27:55

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The design of governance rules profoundly impacts social welfare, highlighting the importance of institutional economics in shaping productive coordination.
  • Emerging scholars in law and economics should pursue their genuine interests, balancing specific goals with a willingness to explore diverse career paths.

Deep dives

The Importance of Rule Design in Governance

Effective governance relies heavily on the design and choice of rules, which significantly impact social flourishing and human welfare. The evolution from a narrow focus on economics to a broader examination of institutional economics highlights the essential role that rules play in productive coordination. This perspective was shaped through formal education and involvement in constitutional reform processes, revealing that different rule choices yield vastly different outcomes for the governed. Understanding these dynamics is crucial, especially in contexts where algorithmic choices increasingly govern our interactions in digital environments.

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