Vitalik Buterin urges pluralistic approach to governance, moving past cypherpunk origins

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin called for a fundamental shift in how the crypto community approaches governance.

In an Aug. 21 blog post, Buterin advocated for a “plurality philosophy” that he believes is essential for managing the evolving landscape of blockchains, cryptocurrencies, and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs).

He further urged the crypto space to move beyond its cypherpunk origins, which emphasize independence from traditional governance, and embrace a more integrated approach that prioritizes collaboration and public goods.

Rethinking governance

In his blog, Buterin highlighted the need for robust internal governance within blockchain and DAO ecosystems to ensure their long-term sustainability. He argued that the community must shift from simply avoiding external control to actively creating governance structures that support the ongoing evolution of these technologies.

Buterin used recent examples, such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s ban on synthetic meat and Google’s real-time scam detection feature in Android, to illustrate the broader societal challenges of balancing autonomy with collective governance.

Buterin criticized DeSantis’s decision to ban synthetic meat, framing it as an example of a tension between freedom and governance. DeSantis justified the ban by claiming it was necessary to protect local farmers from global elites who, he argued, are pushing synthetic meat as part of a broader agenda.

However, Buterin sees this move as an infringement on individual freedom, particularly the freedom to choose what to consume. He views the ban as an authoritarian measure that goes against the principles of freedom by limiting access to a potentially more ethical and sustainable food option.

Meanwhile, he said that Google’s scam detection is an example of the complex trade-offs between protecting users and preserving individual freedoms. The system operates entirely on the user’s device, ensuring that no personal data is sent to external servers, which aligns with privacy-centric values.

However, Buterin noted that despite these privacy safeguards, the feature has drawn criticism from some freedom-minded individuals, including Meredith Whittaker, the president of the Signal Foundation.

Whittaker and others are concerned that even well-intentioned technologies like this could set a precedent for more invasive surveillance measures in the future, potentially leading to greater control over individuals and infringing on personal freedoms.

Impact of Plurality Philosophy

Buterin draws heavily from the ideas in “Plurality: The Future of Collaborative Technology and Democracy,” a book by Glen Weyl and Audrey Tang.

The book advocates for a social philosophy that promotes cooperation among diverse groups and offers a model for digital democracy that avoids the extremes of authoritarianism and libertarianism.

Buterin argued that a pluralistic approach, which values social connections as much as individual autonomy, is better suited to managing the complexities of the modern digital world.

He suggested that plurality-inspired technologies could address key governance challenges in the crypto space, such as scalable voting systems and digital identity management. By adopting these approaches, the community can build more resilient and adaptable governance structures.

Buterin acknowledges that while plurality may seem unconventional in a world dominated by task-oriented and leader-centric movements, it offers a robust framework for tackling the long-term challenges of governance in an interconnected digital age.

He called on the crypto community to rethink its approach to governance, emphasizing the need for a model that embraces diversity, fosters collaboration, and adapts to the rapidly changing technological landscape.

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