Bitcoin, human rights, authoritarianism and war

[Fundamentals Of]

I guess you just have you remove money from politics and we're probably a much safer world. I mean, I don't imagine a world where there are no conflicts and wars, but it might be lessened to a significant degree if fiat and the fiat economics are replaced with a transparent currency which is impossible to manipulate. That's Bitcoin. Fiat as well as the economy using its standard are highly politicized. How many wars are actually waged strictly in the name of idealism or principles? There's probably always money matters behind every war.

[bluebit25]

And adding an idea about the future, all conflicts will end when awareness and solidarity increase, there is no longer jealousy and competition between individuals, groups, regions, planets, galaxies, ... and bitcoin will be as popular as you can easily use it to pay for very small services (for example: buying a battery,... )

You're dreaming of a utopia and we're unlikely to see it anytime soon, so long as there's a difference in our religion, skin tone, culture and ideology, we will never be seeing each other eye to eye and bitcoin wouldn't be a glue that's going to bind that because the mess is just too big. Never in my wildest imagination would I think that Christians and Muslims will be holding hands in solidarity because of bitcoin, these two groups have done wars in the name of who's God is the real one and I don't a measly concept of currency would be bigger than their God.

Religious differences are a good mention here, your thoughts are absolutely not wrong if you look at history and the current context. Do you think that one day everyone on this planet will follow a particular religion or not follow any particular religion, simply a compromise of all viewpoints to develop together to conquer new challenges? But anyway, maybe we're discussing a bit too much compared to the main issue, as I mentioned it's just an idea (fiction is fine).

[Blitzboy]

Bitcoin's potential to change geopolitics and power dynamics is hard to ignore. Bitcoin's decentralization and blockchain transparency may dissuade totalitarian countries from manipulating finances. Conversely, Bitcoin's freedom-promoting capabilities can be used to fund covert activities, dodge sanctions, and support authoritarian regimes.

Historical monetary colonialism offers a fascinating analogy. Traditional currencies supported by powerful governments often subjugated entire people. Bitcoin could break these chains and level the playing field for Palestine if it dominates. Theres also Bitcoin's volatility and the possibility of massive accumulation by a few. Wealth concentration may unintentionally create power asymmetries and hierarchies.

[btcfilmmaker]

Didn't expect as much as a response, thank you everyone for your opinions and input.

Welcome to the forum and I am hoping to learn all you have learned from your indepth and comprehensive studies.

Bitcoin becoming a dominant currency in the world is possible because it has all it takes to be one of the world's leading mediums of exchange. However, it will not replace traditional currency, fiat will always be available as an alternative so the government will always find ways to sponsor wars. The government can fund wars with weapons, natural resources, and even investments. Another point is that Bitcoin was created to be decentralized so that Bitcoin users will be anonymous or at least enjoy privacy. So how will you track funds used to sponsor wars, except you are pointing at government regulations

Thanks, forgive me for the phrasing - perhaps sounded too egotistical!

Do you believe this will always be the case? My original point would be over centuries rather than decades, as it would need a long time horizon to shift from one system to another otherwise it would be pure chaos. Although as you mention, I too find it unlikely that governments would willingly give up fiat.

I think it is still too soon for Bitcoin to play a significant role in the world.

On one hand we have this decentralized payment system that can not be censored which makes it an excellent choice for many free people around the world.
On another hand this currency has a very volatile price and it also hasn't reached mass adoption yet which makes getting paid or making payments in it complicated.

I agree with this, I should have been more clear that my viewpoint is over many decades if not centuries. As you mention it is currently too volatile; which we know will become more stable the more it is adopted, after a few decades (assuming adoption increases), then it's significance becomes more prevalent.

With each abnormal event, people who loves Bitcoin will try to say Bitcoin saves locals, Bitcoin makes different.

Neutrally said, Bitcoin has all ability to make differences but big or small, it depends on each area and situation. However if someone says it like exaggerating the importance and capability of Bitcoin, I will be more cautious and suspicious about what they are saying.

I did not intend for it to sound as the sole saviour of the people. I know that Bitcoin is merely a tool that can be utilised given it's benefits of decentralisation, borderless peer-to-peer transactions.

In terms of the larger scale, I am discussing a time horizon well beyond what we will live to see - so whilst it may sound like exaggerating at this point in time, in a couple of decades or centuries it may seem common place. I imagine in 2009 if you said Bitcoin would allow activists to fund their movements, they would have said the same?

Ultimately I'm just hypothesising, I love discussion and it is always important to hear the views from those who support your view and those against.

The Israel - Palestine (Hamas on behalf) war is like Russia - Ukraine war months ago. When that invasion of Ukraine started, a few weeks later, massive donations to Ukraine through Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, mainly in Bitcoin. People said similar things like OP said right now.

I believe my viewpoint may differ slightly, though I haven't read similar threads related to Russia - Ukraine so forgive me if it's not. Rather than focusing on donations and supporting 'the good guy', I am more focused on 'making war unaffordable' - though I am not a great fan of the saying, as many others have stated it is not the complete solution but I do believe that in the long run, if the world moved towards a Bitcoin standard, then it would have some benefit in deterring countries from going to war due to the economic impact.

Since I believe that war at it's core is always an economic balance, if the costs outweigh the benefits, there is no incentive.

How can Bitcoin play a role as a “currency of liberation in contexts like Palestine”? Where is the liberation if the Binance exchange banned Palestinian accounts based on orders from the Israeli police!!

It is true that Bitcoin is decentralized, but in the end you are forced to use third-party services, which are mostly centralized and impose KYC. In practice, it can be said that governments have found a way to escape decentralization.

I believe this isn't a problem of Bitcoin specifically but rather being in the 'old paradigm'. I do agree that for now, unfortunately this may be the case. However, in the hypothetical that I mention, bitcoin standard; Bitcoin would be the medium of exchange so it would be easier to transact peer to peer without centralised exchanges. I don't propose any particular route to get to this point, as it's very complex and nuanced - perhaps it is just a case of steady adoption of regular folk over a long enough time horizon?

Thanks again everyone so far, I will continue to read and add to the discussion when I have some more time! It is great to hear everyone's views.

[Gallar]

~Snip
I'm keen to hear diverse perspectives and continue learning. What are your thoughts on Bitcoin in relation to these complex issues?
~Snip

In my personal opinion, currently bitcoin has a very good role in the world of investment and also in the payment system. Because I personally see the existing reality, that currently bitcoin is still predominantly used as an investment asset and a small part is used as a means of payment. So if we talk about Bitcoin being able to change the world economic order or eradicate other crimes, I don't think Bitcoin will be able to reach that stage at this time. Because after all, to be able to dominate the world, Bitcoin must first be accepted by all countries. Only then can Bitcoin say a lot about the world economy.

However, this will not be able to change the economic order, but only improve the bad order. Because in my opinion, most state leaders and government institutions do not want bitcoin to become a legal currency or global currency. Because it is certain that every leader and government institution in a country must have plans or ambitions that will make their country progress. For example, in terms of the value of traditional currency, every country definitely wants its traditional money to have an expensive price. So in my personal opinion, in the future Bitcoin will continue to spread its wings to various countries in the world. But if Bitcoin can fix all problems like war or the economy absolutely, I think the possibility is small (especially in the case of war).

[Negotiation]

I believe there is reason to be optimistic human rights defenders journalists and other members of civil society continue to struggle to build a freer and more just world for generations to come. They work tirelessly to document abuses, ensure government transparency and accountability expose corruption promote inclusion and diversity and ensure access to justice. But the world is now much calmer if all these things have an effect the fiat currency will suffer. The economy will not have any bad effect on bitcoin as no one can manage has no political influence. The people of the world continue to struggle to build a sense of democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights.

[danadc]

What I think is that When things are taken to be quite simple, I would say that the most important thing now is the issue of wars , because we as people will always see that the main thing is that many things can be done to be able to finish in one once and for all with that, because the most important thing now is to solve those Small problems that are becoming bigger, a small problem can become very big, even a possible world war can be unleashed, in this case the money moves to another level with bitcoin and any crypto, because the first thing they do is ban countries with fiat money , for me the most Important thing is that.

[DooMAD]

and the potential role of Bitcoin as a currency for liberation in contexts like Palestine, providing an escape from both corrupt governance and external influences.

The main concern in that conflict is territory and infrastructure.  I'm sure people there will have some concerns about protecting their money, but I'd imagine the safety of their loved ones and whether or not they can keep the land that belongs to them and not be made homeless will be the things they care about first and foremost.

[Renampun]

...

Perhaps this is too utopian, are there any arguments against this hypothetical?

I am also very confident in that, surely in the future, Bitcoin will control the entire economic and financial system of the world, Bitcoin is a decentralized asset, so when the war between countries occurs, they can still transact with bitcoin and there are no obstacles at all. bitcoin is a great thing in this world, there are millions of people's lives out there that have changed 180 degrees because of the presence of bitcoin, indeed there is still FUD news that continues to spread about bitcoin but it doesn't last long and will definitely disappear, The world becomes more beautiful with the presence of Bitcoin.