By leveraging technology, public administrators and urban planners can innovate and enhance institutional governance and operational efficacy. Technology is not a panacea, but over the last two decades, Geographic Information Systems and Internet of Things sensors have aided planners in tracking and disseminating key city metrics to the public. A new technology with the potential to enhance institutional governance through decentralized transparency and automated trust is Blockchain Technology. In this paper, I evaluate the practical application of blockchain in government by examining its technological claims through the theoretical framework of Elinor Ostrom’s principles for managing common-pool resources and polycentric governance. By conducting case studies of blockchain usage in electronic participatory budgeting (e-PB), electronic voting (e-voting), and land registries, we assess the technical viability, benefits, and drawbacks of blockchain in governance. The findings provide an assessment of the current state of blockchain adoption, offering practical insights for public sector employees navigating the decision to transition from legacy systems to decentralized systems. Ultimately, this research provides a strategic roadmap for positioning governance frameworks to meet the demands of future technological integration, while flagging guardrails and necessary cautions.
Paul Warner (Tue,) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: