Using blockchain to fix inequality by pre-distributing income

in #blockchain7 years ago

Interesting opinion article from the Washington Post (sorry about the paywall): https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/theworldpost/wp/2018/01/29/blockchain/?utm_term=.71edb76af409

I'd want to know a lot more about such a system would work, but it is a fascinating idea. Essentially he is arguing that most of our solutions to inequality are to redistribute income after it is earned by taxing and providing benefits to those with lower income, or as some have proposed the Universal Basic Income (UBI). It would be better to have the community (presumably the town, locality, state, or even the whole country) own a part of everything produced. As he pointed out several states and countries have done that type of thing in regards to natural resources (residents of Alaska have benefited from the sale of oil from Alaska). But in theory it could be used for those things that are created. The author suggests blockchain technology as the catalyst or mechanism for this sharing in production.

I am dubious this year of all the things that blockchain can do for everything and everyone, as it has become a buzzword that people often don't actually understand. This one however sounds promising to me, if we can find the political will to do so. I don't think I would expect splitting ownership in thirds, but some split seems like it would have value, and may give everyone some buy-in to results.