Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin called for a fundamental change in the way the crypto community approaches governance.
In a blog from August 21 afterButerin advocated 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 emphasized the need for robust internal governance within blockchain and DAO ecosystems to ensure their long-term sustainability. He argued that the community must move from simply avoiding external scrutiny to actively creating governance structures that support the continued evolution of these technologies.
Buterin used recent examples, such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ 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’ decision to ban synthetic meat, calling it 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, especially the freedom to choose what you consume. He views the ban as an authoritarian measure that violates the principles of freedom by restricting access to a potentially more ethical and sustainable food option.
Meanwhile, he said Google’s scam detection is an example of the complex trade-off between protecting users and preserving individual freedoms. The system runs entirely on the user’s device and ensures that no personal data is sent to external servers, aligning with privacy-oriented 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 worry that even well-intentioned technologies like these 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 on the ideas in “Plurality: The Future of Collaborative Technology and Democracy,” a book by Glen Weyl and Audrey Tang.
The book advocates 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 both social connections and individual autonomy, is better suited to managing the complexity 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 recognizes that while plurality may seem unconventional in a world dominated by task-oriented and leader-oriented movements, it provides a robust framework for addressing 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, promotes collaboration and adapts to the rapidly changing technological landscape.