Bitcoin as a way to avoid corruption

[mtnsaa]

I was watching a TED talk the other day that mentioned how Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies could be used as a way to bring transparency to political campaigns, welfare, government/state expenses and other similar areas. We as tax payers will be able to know exactly how much money is allocated for each area and how it is used.

I was thinking also that this could also become the norm for donation centers, foundations and charities.

What do you guys think?

[franky1]

in theory and in practice it is indeed possible.
but getting governments to implement it.. well good luck with that

[mtnsaa]

I think this is one of the most doable ideas really since we are not talking about companies or banks. And it can be just small to start, if I had a little charity I would definitely advertise this as a way to ensure safety and attract more donations. Once the ball starts rolling, this could be copied very fast by others if it works.

[Bitcoinpro]

The governments (ie the people) want crypto while the rich elites who milk government dry where all against it

and where pulling very hard on the strings of the puppets they had in government, though the growing

strenght of Crypto and the weakening of Fiat has caused the Padagim to have already shifted.

Note: Impending First Cryptoccurency IPO on the Australian Stock Exchange

[mtnsaa]

I think in theory its still posible.
But in reality it's impossible because of government corruption is inevitable, and with bitcoin anonymously will be more easily corruption.

Well in this case it won't be anonymous of course, that's the point. You would know each "account" and you can see how much it spends, maybe I didn't make myself too clear.

[avatar_kiyoshi]

Blockchain ledger is need to kill corruption.

[vilain]

I think in theory its still posible.
But in reality it's impossible because of government corruption is inevitable, and with bitcoin anonymously will be more easily corruption.

Well in this case it won't be anonymous of course, that's the point. You would know each "account" and you can see how much it spends, maybe I didn't make myself too clear.

Yes I agree it's a nice way to bring transparency and I would support it all along. The problem is the difficulty of bitcoin usage for the common citizen. Brazil, for example, is one of the most corrupt countries in the world, and I doubt this sort of thing would work here in the next 30 years.

[Erkallys]

This is an awesome idea mate ! This also one of the easiest to realize. If someday at least political parties (States have to keep their expenses secret) could use this sytem could be fantastic. The Libertarian Pary (if something like this exist anywhere on Earth) could be easiest to convince I think . Communists could be also bringed in the game, so according to them, "everyone could be equal in matter of financial knowledge of the situation of the party". Yeah, that's really a fantastic idea !

[mtnsaa]

Definitely! Well maybe the government in place won't like the sound of it, but an up & coming party can definitely propose it and many people will welcome it in a second! Then all of a sudden it becomes mandatory and the standard way of doing things.

Now, let's get not too carried away, they will most definitely never use Bitcoin itself I guess, but they could use a cryptocurrency tied to the local one for example. The point made is that this is definitely something I can see being used in the real world and solves a problem. Bitcoin in general is a unique technology but there's not much use for the average person that they cannot do with Paypal, Banks or CCs.

[The Sceptical Chymist]

Hmm, I think it's a very interesting idea and as far as government spending goes, if the gov't used only a traceable currency there would be no way to fund black ops and such things and it would to some extent put the kabosh on wasteful spending.  I hadn't thought of any of this, as I detest politics, but I'm glad you brought this up as a topic.

I like it!

[KenR]

There is a good and bad side of this.The government will totally oppose this idea.Bitcoin is the best solution to coruption problems.But for it to become a legal currency of any country,government has to approve it.They will approve it but with their own conditions like they will only have their own bitcoin banks or mines or say exchange's.They will introduce corruption in the field.I still prefer bitcoin to be a subjective currency.

[maokoto]

Well, Bitcoin transparency is only transparent when you know which Bitcoin address is owned by whoever person or institution. If government identifies the address receiving the money, that is something, but then they will need to identify every single address to which that address sends money too for real transparency, and that would be somewhat complicated.

[Moneyburner]

I would think you'd have an opposite situation? I could post a transaction between two addresses and know one would have any idea how to figure out who they are

[The Sceptical Chymist]

Well, Bitcoin transparency is only transparent when you know which Bitcoin address is owned by whoever person or institution. If government identifies the address receiving the money, that is something, but then they will need to identify every single address to which that address sends money too for real transparency, and that would be somewhat complicated.

I agree it would be complicated, but I have no doubt whatsoever that there are people or government-watch groups who would do it.  There are definitely organizations who would, and there are some people who are so obsessed with government and politics that I'm sure this would be all they do.  Yeah, very neat idea.

[mtnsaa]

Exactly it will be all "open source". Plus it should be very easy to investigate if there is a discrepancy.

Either way, the paradigm shift is that we would all know how much money a certain department or branch has. If there's a payment sent (to hire a cleaning company for example) everyone interested can corroborate it. It won't destroy corruption but at least public funds will be handled in complete transparency.

[franky1]

I think this is one of the most doable ideas really since we are not talking about companies or banks. And it can be just small to start, if I had a little charity I would definitely advertise this as a way to ensure safety and attract more donations. Once the ball starts rolling, this could be copied very fast by others if it works.

for independant charity donations yes very possible. infact its already happened
http://bitcoin100.org/charities/
for crowdfunding, again already in the works
https://www.vinumeris.com/lighthouse

but as for government elections.. forget it.

governments like the current postal slip election forms and polling stations for 3 reasons
1) any demograph they dont like.. slips get lost in the mail
2) any demographs they dont like they place the polling stations closer to the demograph they do like and distance it from the bad area's
3) once manually counting the slips.. a few can disapear from one pile and appear in another pile


having a independant voting system where everyone can freely vote without even leaving home without taking more than 2 seconds, does not allow governments t sway demograhs into their favor..

and so i can never see governments implementing such a independant and fully trusted/transparent system

[calkob]

I think it sounds like a great idea, unfortunately trying to get a tool to stop corruption brought into the political arena will face massive hurdles at every turn.  Not to many poloticians are going to want everyone to see where the money goes..................

[btvGainer]

you didn't elaborate how bitcoin can prevent corruption and bring transparency.Corruption is any kind of return favor for something and that something can be bitcoin or fiat it doesn't matter

[NorrisK]

you didn't elaborate how bitcoin can prevent corruption and bring transparency.Corruption is any kind of return favor for something and that something can be bitcoin or fiat it doesn't matter

It will make it quite difficult to explain where certain funds came from or where they went. Indeed, it is not really corruption as in taking bribes from companies or something, but it still is corruption if they pay someone to something that is not fully legal for instance.

Bitcoin can play a nice role in it as it would be very easy to audit the money streams.

[countryfree]

I was watching a TED talk the other day that mentioned how Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies could be used as a way to bring transparency to political campaigns, welfare, government/state expenses and other similar areas. We as tax payers will be able to know exactly how much money is allocated for each area and how it is used.

I was thinking also that this could also become the norm for donation centers, foundations and charities.

What do you guys think?

No. BTC would not change anything, and BTC would not give more information. Most citizens don't bother looking but most countries and big charities have all accounting books open to the general public. I think the most open is the UK. It launched the open government initiative a few years ago, and everyone can check what's going on.

http://www.opengovernment.org.uk/
https://data.gov.uk/

It's very boring to look at, but it's all there if you're willing to take the time to search properly.