Blockchain: a state for the stateless

Governments use a special term in its fights against non-state actors, Military Aged Male (MAM). The unspoken tone of this designation is a recognition of the threat males pose in modern conflict zones. As dangerous as broad-stroked labels are, I understand how this term came to pass in the counterinsurgency/terrorism vernacular. Conflict is mostly males jockeying for the monopoly on violence and imposing their will on everyone else.

The fear of MAMs is what drives a lot of anti-refugee sentiment and policy. The policy discussion around refugees is hijacked by fear of accepting bands of men with no accountability and with nothing to lose. If refugees were solely women and small children I’m confident the discussion would be different.

Stateless people are the most decentralized population on the planet; making them the prime candidates to find a home of accountability on the Blockchain.

Blockchain Citizens

Placing refugees on the Blockchain will provide an accountability for people that are claimed by no functioning state. Blockchain documentation of the travels, identity, job skills, and associations of displaced people will create a trust and comfort with governments and communities receiving refugees.

Smart Contracts will set transparent criteria and pathways for improving the condition and status of refugees. As refugees travel from place to place, receive immunization shots, or complete integration protocols this progress will be documented on the Blockchain’s immutable ledger.

Blockchain accountability will answer gaining community’s questions of “who are we receiving? What are their associations with the conflict they are running from? What shots have they received? What skills are they bringing? Etc.” All good information that will build trust between the displaced people and their new communities.

Blockchain Pioneers

Refugee’s dire situation offers an opportunity to push the limits of how the Blockchain can be utilized as a problem-solving tool. Absent working solutions, the Blockchain can be adapted to meet the needs of Earth’s most vulnerable.

Syrian Military Aged Males (MAMs)