1/ Proud to share my essay in the Journal of Democracy on Bitcoin’s growing adoption as a powerful and undeniable tool in the global struggle for human rights In October print + digital editions Will be widely read by political scientists Send to normie friends Onwards!
2/ The essay is broken down into 9 parts, as follows Link here to read the full thing at @JoDemocracy: https://muse.jhu.edu/article/9...
3/ “A Banking Crisis for Democratic Activism" Here I outline how it has become nearly impossible to use banks to send money to dissidents in authoritarian regimes, and how Bitcoin is fixing this problem
4/ "Going Where the Dollar Cannot Go" This is a case study of @RoyaMahboob's pioneering work to use Bitcoin as currency inside Afghanistan, and today, to fund underground schooling for girls with Bitcoin The dollar is unable to do these things
5/ "Monetary Freedom" This is a case study of French colonial history in Central and West Africa, a review of how France props up dictators who use the French colonial currency, and @Farida_N's efforts to use Bitcoin as a tool to help liberate her fellow citizens
6/ "A Quiet Revolution" This is a case study of Bitcoin's rise in Cuba over the past 5 years, the regime's massive devaluation of the peso, which has lost nearly all of its value since 2020, and a look at how Cubans are using Bitcoin to escape financial repression
7/ "A Lifeline for Democracy Movements" This section reviews how activists in dozens of countries ranging from Nigeria to Hong Kong to Nigeria have used Bitcoin to support human rights and democracy work where the traditional fiat system has failed
8/ "Bitcoin, Not Crypto or Blockchain" Here I address the need for *being specific* with words when we describe Bitcoin or other digital currency projects. It reviews how "crypto" and "blockchain" are worse-than-useless terms that can seriously mislead activists
9/ "Addressing Bitcoin’s Critics" A review of the most common criticisms of Bitcoin, ranging from volatility to criminal use to environmental impact, breaking down how these arguments are either wrong or exaggerated and how they are not stopping activists from using Bitcoin
10/ "Getting Started with Bitcoin" This is a practical guide for a non-profit or human rights group to get started with Bitcoin. What to keep in mind, what tools to use, how to stay safe, how to learn more, and how to overcome organizational inertia
11/ Finally, the conclusion "Freedom Money" Even though a growing number of dissidents and non-profits are using BTC, it remains chronically under-discussed in the human rights community That will change because BTC is, so often today, the best tool for supporting human rights
