Why aren’t governments better at innovating and adapting new technologies? We won’t keep you in suspense – they simply aren’t built to pivot and be nimble. Government bureaucracies are designed to “stay the course” and are more akin to super oil tankers rather than speed boats.

Regardless if the technology is genomics, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, or blockchain they don’t have innovation encoded within their organizational DNA. Their institutional inertia appears purposely designed to prevent the adoption of blockchain technology. Here are some reasons.

For self preservation

Blockchain is an immutable and transparent distributed open ledger. This was developed to be used without the involvement of financial institutions, such as lenders or banks. These agencies serve as the ultimate arbitrators. The widespread adoption of blockchain technology by bureaucracies will put entire agencies out-of-business. It eliminates the need for intermediaries in Washington.

Politicians don’t want to solve problems – they want to stay in power

If jobs get created, if wars cease, if people are healthy and living longer, if there’s no civil unrest, if the economy thrives, if people don’t need social services…etc. there’s no justification for politicians to stay in office. There’s no justification for continuous tax hikes, runaway spending, or politician’s pet taxpayer-funded projects for the folks back home to ensure the politos’ reelection. Although blockchain technology solves many problems, the problems that keep politicians in office are not solved by it. Their gravy train will not stop with the cycle of political gridlock and legislative delay.

Frequent leadership change

Every new administration usually fires the old staff members in favour of patronage appointments. In the face of continual leadership change, blockchain could offer immutable consistency to many of these agencies. Instead, this never ending game of political musical chairs ensures a steady reboot of vision, priorities, goals, strategies, and tactics – to the detriment of us all.

A lot of public agencies do not have a clearly defined mission

Although some divisions of government are clearly defined, like the Department of Justice (defense) and the Department of Justice (justice), there are many other cabinet-level agencies with more obscure reasons for existence. What’s the stated mission of the Department of the Interior? Oder the State Department. Or, the Department of Commerce Or the Department of Education. Or perhaps the Department of Agriculture. They all accomplish different things, but most of these issues, such as agriculture, commerce and education, are managed at the state level. Frenetic federal-level action is not a mission statement, goal, or strategy – it’s just a waste of taxpayer dollars and fractured federal focus.

Governments are not encouraged to adopt new technology or innovate because there is a risk of them being relegated to bureaucracy and power, as well as risk to political gridlock and to maintain the status quo.

To The Flipside

• Blockchain could be used by governments to simplify many functions, including passports, taxes, food, medical safety and immigration. It also allows for secure voting, elections and payment of federal assistance.
• However politicians don’t want to improve things, they want things to stay the same or worsen to justify their own existence.

Why you should care

If elected officials were elected in democratic societies or representative republics they are expected to represent the citizens who elected them. Many politicians mistakenly view their elected office in a way that is an entitlement. That kind of thinking does not benefit anyone.

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