A NEW, FAST PUBLIC BLOCKCHAIN WITH DEMOCRATIC ACCOUNTABILITY

Imagine a world where government processes are as transparent as a pane of glass, where corruption is minimized, and trust in democratic institutions is restored. This open access book focuses on public governance s increasing reliance on emerging digital technologies. Disruptive or emerging digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, are often portrayed as highly promising, with the potential to transform established societal, economic, or governmental practices.This isn't a utopian fantasy; it's a tangible possibility powered by a groundbreaking innovation: a new, fast public blockchain with democratic accountability. Following on the heels of the US presidential election, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) Blockchain Innovation Hub has published a paper titled Democratic governance and blockchain governance: Is reconciliation possible? exploring the potential for using blockchain to improve current democratic governance systems. This is timely given the wealth of assertions of potentialWe're on the cusp of a technological revolution that can reshape governance, empower citizens, and foster a more just and equitable society.This isn't just about faster transactions; it's about building systems that are inherently transparent, auditable, and resistant to manipulation.This article explores how this new breed of blockchain technology can revolutionize democratic processes, addressing the critical need for enhanced transparency and accountability in an era where trust is increasingly fragile. The Digital Chamber commends Representative Amo (D-RI-1) and Representative Kim (R-CA-40) for their bipartisan leadership in introducing H. Res. 1622, highlighting the transformative role of Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) in strengthening democracy, protecting human rights, and advancing global transparency.From securing land titles to ensuring fair elections, the potential applications are vast and transformative. Building upon the core principles of transparency, accountability, and public engagement, this paper explores the application of blockchain across multiple domains of governance.Get ready to delve into the exciting possibilities of a decentralized future, where blockchain technology empowers individuals and strengthens the foundations of democracy.

The Urgent Need for Democratic Accountability

In today's world, citizens are demanding greater transparency and accountability from their governments.The rise of corruption, backdoor deals, and undisclosed financial transactions erodes public trust and undermines the very foundations of democratic institutions.Many of our democratic institutions, designed in the 19th century, struggle to keep pace with the speed and openness of the digital era. As blockchain grows, it will keep bringing new ideas and shake up the digital world. This will keep changing leadership roles and how organizations are set up. The Rise of Decentralized Decision-Making. Blockchain technology is changing how we lead and organize. It s making workplaces more democratic and empowering employees.This disconnect fuels dissatisfaction and creates opportunities for those who seek to exploit the system.Blockchain technology offers a powerful solution by embedding transparency and accountability directly into government processes, creating a more trustworthy and responsive system.

The Erosion of Trust: A Global Challenge

Trust in government is at an all-time low in many parts of the world.News headlines are filled with stories of corruption, scandals, and political gridlock, leaving citizens feeling disillusioned and disenfranchised.This erosion of trust has far-reaching consequences, impacting everything from civic engagement to economic stability. Accountability through Blockchain-Enabled Transparency. Transparency is the cornerstone of trust. Yet, many governments around the world are plagued by corruption, backdoor deals, and undisclosed financial transactions, having a detrimental impact on the public s trust in democratic institutions.To rebuild public trust, governments must embrace innovative solutions that promote transparency and accountability.

Key problems contributing to the erosion of trust:

• Corruption and bribery
• Lack of transparency in government spending
• Undisclosed financial transactions
• Backdoor deals and political maneuvering
• Inefficient and bureaucratic processes

Introducing a New Paradigm: The Fast Public Blockchain

The emergence of a new, fast public blockchain offers a promising pathway to address these challenges.Unlike traditional systems, a public blockchain is a decentralized and transparent digital ledger that is open to anyone. In the fast-evolving landscape of governance, where transparency, accountability, and trust are of paramount importance, Blockchain technology emerges as a revolutionary force. Blockchain, theThis means that all transactions are recorded on the blockchain and can be accessed and verified by anyone, creating an environment of unprecedented transparency.One example is ParallelChain, a layer-one public blockchain that boasts a remarkable transaction speed of 80,000 transactions per second (TPS), placing it at the forefront of blockchain innovation.

What Makes a Public Blockchain ""Public""?

The term ""public"" in the context of blockchain refers to its open and permissionless nature.Here's what that means:

• Open Access: Anyone can access the blockchain and view its contents without needing permission from a central authority.
• Decentralized: The blockchain is maintained by a network of computers (nodes) spread across the globe, eliminating the risk of a single point of failure.
• Transparent: All transactions are recorded on the blockchain and can be viewed by anyone, promoting accountability and deterring corruption.
• Immutable: Once a transaction is recorded on the blockchain, it cannot be altered or deleted, ensuring the integrity of the data.

The Significance of Speed and Scalability

Traditional public blockchains have often been criticized for their slow transaction speeds and limited scalability.This has hindered their adoption in applications that require high throughput, such as government services and financial transactions.A fast public blockchain, like ParallelChain, overcomes these limitations by providing significantly faster transaction speeds and greater scalability, making it a viable solution for a wide range of real-world applications.

Leveraging Blockchain for Democratic Governance

Blockchain technology can be applied to various aspects of democratic governance, from voting and elections to public procurement and land registry. Contract enforcement in blockchain-based voting systems is vital for maintaining electoral integrity. Immutable records enhance transparency, ensuring accountability among stakeholders. Potential ambiguities in smart contracts can lead to misinterpretations, underscoring the need for clear legal frameworks.By leveraging the inherent transparency and security of blockchain, governments can enhance accountability, reduce corruption, and improve citizen engagement.

Securing Elections with Blockchain

One of the most promising applications of blockchain is in securing elections.Traditional voting systems are often vulnerable to fraud and manipulation, undermining public trust in the democratic process. For this reason, an increasing number of decentralized blockchain platforms characterized by communal rather than centralized control has emerged (Chen et al, 2025; Hsieh and Vergne, 2025), engendering a diverse spectrum of platform governance models that have not yet converged into a singular paradigm.Blockchain can provide a tamper-proof and transparent voting system, ensuring the integrity of elections.

How Blockchain Can Enhance Elections:

• Immutable Records: Every vote is recorded on the blockchain and cannot be altered or deleted, preventing fraud.
• Transparency: Voters can verify that their votes were accurately recorded and counted.
• Reduced Costs: Blockchain can streamline the voting process, reducing the costs associated with traditional elections.
• Increased Participation: Online voting powered by blockchain can make it easier for citizens to participate in elections, increasing voter turnout.

Transparent Public Procurement

Public procurement is often plagued by corruption and lack of transparency.Blockchain can provide a solution by creating a transparent and auditable record of all government contracts. Lightchain AI s integration of blockchain technology and artificial intelligence enhances DAO efficiency and security, setting a new standard for decentralized governance. By combining advanced technologies with a democratic framework, the future looks promising for DAOs and Lightchain AI as they pave the way for a more transparent, efficientFor example, Georgia's e-Procurement System uses blockchain to ensure transparent and auditable records of government contracts, minimizing corruption and improving accountability in public procurement.

Benefits of Blockchain-Based Procurement:

• Reduced Corruption: Transparency and auditability deter corrupt practices.
• Improved Efficiency: Streamlined processes reduce paperwork and delays.
• Greater Accountability: Public officials are held accountable for their decisions.
• Fair Competition: All bidders have equal access to information, promoting fair competition.

Blockchain-Based Land Registry

Land registry systems in many countries are often inefficient and vulnerable to fraud.Blockchain can provide a secure and transparent system for recording land titles, reducing the risk of disputes and protecting property rights.The Republic of Georgia has successfully implemented a blockchain-based land registry system, securing over 1.5 million land titles and reducing the time required for property transactions from several days to a matter of minutes.

Advantages of Blockchain for Land Registry:

• Secure Records: Land titles are stored on the blockchain and cannot be altered or deleted.
• Reduced Fraud: Transparency and immutability prevent fraudulent claims.
• Improved Efficiency: Streamlined processes reduce delays and costs.
• Increased Accessibility: Citizens can easily access and verify land title information.

Addressing the Challenges of Blockchain Adoption

While blockchain technology offers significant potential for improving democratic governance, there are also challenges that must be addressed to ensure its successful adoption.These challenges include accessibility, scalability, and regulatory uncertainty.

Accessibility and Digital Inclusion

One of the key challenges is ensuring that blockchain technology is accessible to all citizens, regardless of their technological expertise or socioeconomic status. Blockchain serves government sectors by providing a fast, secure, clear, and concise way to report information to citizens. Using blockchain in public sector services has many benefits. In blockchain technology, every transaction will be recorded, and data will be securely transferred between government organizations (Uchimura J tting, 2025).Many communities across the globe lack the technological familiarity, financial resources, or necessary equipment to participate in blockchain networks, which can limit democratic participation via DLT systems. Private consensus is fast but requires a high-trust environment. Scalability and Speed. Public Blockchain: Tends to be slower and more resource-intensive due to its decentralized nature and global participation. Private Blockchain: Offers high throughput and faster transaction speeds thanks to limited node participation and streamlined processes.Overcoming this digital divide is crucial for ensuring that blockchain technology benefits everyone.

Strategies for Enhancing Accessibility:

• Education and Training: Providing educational resources and training programs to help citizens understand and use blockchain technology.
• Affordable Access: Developing affordable blockchain solutions that are accessible to low-income communities.
• User-Friendly Interfaces: Creating user-friendly interfaces that make it easy for citizens to interact with blockchain networks.
• Community Support: Establishing community centers and support networks to assist citizens with using blockchain technology.

Scalability and Performance

Scalability is another critical challenge.As blockchain networks grow, they can become congested, leading to slow transaction speeds and high fees.A fast public blockchain is essential for handling the high volume of transactions required for government services and democratic processes.Continued innovation in blockchain technology is needed to address scalability and performance challenges.

Regulatory Clarity and Legal Frameworks

The lack of regulatory clarity surrounding blockchain technology can create uncertainty and hinder its adoption. Introduction: In today's fast-paced digital world, the need for transparent, democratic, and efficient governance systems is more crucial than ever. Blockchain technology, with its inherentGovernments need to develop clear legal frameworks that address issues such as data privacy, security, and liability. Blockchain technology could be used to help correct this dangerous trajectory by embedding transparency and accountability into government processes. Our democratic institutions many designed in the 19th century are poorly adapted for the speed and openness of the digital era.These frameworks should promote innovation while protecting consumers and ensuring accountability.

The Role of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs)

Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) are emerging as a powerful tool for decentralized governance.DAOs are organizations that are governed by rules encoded in smart contracts on a blockchain.This allows for transparent and automated decision-making, empowering communities to manage resources and make collective decisions.

How DAOs Can Enhance Democratic Participation

• Transparent Decision-Making: All decisions are recorded on the blockchain and can be viewed by anyone.
• Automated Execution: Smart contracts automatically execute decisions once consensus is reached.
• Community Governance: DAOs empower communities to manage resources and make collective decisions.
• Increased Efficiency: DAOs streamline processes and reduce bureaucratic delays.

Lightchain AI's integration of blockchain technology and artificial intelligence enhances DAO efficiency and security, setting a new standard for decentralized governance.By combining advanced technologies with a democratic framework, the future looks promising for DAOs as they pave the way for a more transparent, efficient and secure means of decision making.

Examples of Blockchain in Action: Real-World Applications

The transformative potential of blockchain in democratic governance is already being realized in various real-world applications.

• Georgia's Land Registry: As mentioned earlier, Georgia has successfully implemented a blockchain-based land registry system, securing over 1.5 million land titles.
• Georgia's e-Procurement System: Georgia also uses blockchain to ensure transparent and auditable records of government contracts.

These examples demonstrate the tangible benefits of blockchain in enhancing transparency, accountability, and efficiency in government processes.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Democratic Governance with Blockchain

The future of democratic governance is inextricably linked to the continued development and adoption of blockchain technology. Decisions are executed immediately once consensus is reached, eliminating the need for lengthy bureaucratic procedures. This efficiency can be a game-changer in democratic governance, where delays and inefficiencies are common. For instance, think about the time it takes for a new policy to be implemented in a traditional democratic system.As blockchain matures and becomes more accessible, it has the potential to revolutionize the way governments operate, empowering citizens and fostering a more just and equitable society.

Key Trends Shaping the Future

• Increased Adoption: More governments are likely to embrace blockchain technology to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
• Technological Advancements: Continued innovation in blockchain technology will lead to faster transaction speeds, greater scalability, and improved security.
• Regulatory Clarity: Governments will develop clear legal frameworks to address the challenges associated with blockchain technology.
• Citizen Empowerment: Blockchain technology will empower citizens to participate more actively in democratic processes and hold their governments accountable.

Conclusion: Embracing the Power of Blockchain for a More Democratic Future

A new, fast public blockchain with democratic accountability represents a paradigm shift in how we approach governance.It offers a powerful tool for enhancing transparency, reducing corruption, and empowering citizens. We propose a redactable blockchain based on the aggregation signature in the permissioned setting. This scheme supports democratic instant modification and accountability, in which every user has the right to propose editing requests, and the credible balloting committee is responsible for reviewing and voting on the redaction.While challenges remain, the potential benefits are undeniable.By embracing blockchain technology and addressing its limitations, we can pave the way for a more democratic, just, and equitable future.

Key Takeaways:

• Blockchain technology can enhance transparency and accountability in government processes.
• Fast public blockchains offer scalability and performance for real-world applications.
• Blockchain can secure elections, improve public procurement, and streamline land registry.
• Addressing accessibility, scalability, and regulatory challenges is crucial for widespread adoption.
• DAOs can empower communities and promote decentralized governance.

The time to act is now. What is Public Blockchain? A public blockchain is a type of distributed ledger technology that is open to anyone, allowing all participants to access, view, and contribute to the network without needing permission from a central authority. This openness is one of its defining characteristics, fostering a decentralized and transparent environment.Let's work together to harness the power of blockchain and build a more democratic future for all.