* Draft PhD: The Network State in the Blockchain Ecosystem: Potential Impact on Global Governance. Francisco Tuñez. Humboldt University / USAL, 2026, Bi-national Doctoral Programme in Global Studies.

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"Conceptual Definition and Immersive Research on Network States within the Blockchain Ecosystem and their Potential Impact on Decentralized Global Governance."

Contextual Quote

"By integrating blockchain-based governance tools (DAOs, smart contracts, decentralized finance) and fostering transnational digital communities, Network States seek to redefine citizenship, economic participation, and governance in the digital age."

- Francisco Tunez

Description

Francisco Tunez:

1.

"This study is structured around three fundamental research questions:

1. What are Network States, and how do they function within the blockchain ecosystem?

2. To what extent can Network States serve as a governance alternative to centralized institutions?

3. What insights can be drawn from the most active Network States regarding their governance, sustainability, and real-world applications?"

2.

"The contemporary global order is facing an unprecedented polycrisis, characterized by overlapping and interconnected crises in economics, governance, ecology, and technology (Biermann, 2020). Traditional governance structures—whether state-centric, corporate-driven, or international institutions—have increasingly demonstrated their inability to address complex systemic risks in an efficient and adaptive manner (Castells, 1996; Keohane & Nye, 2000). This reality has led to an emerging interest in decentralized governance models, particularly those enabled by blockchain technology.

However, it is critical to avoid a technological determinism approach, where blockchain is seen as an automatic solution to governance failures. Instead, the aim is to evaluate whether and under what conditions decentralized governance models can effectively address the core challenges of the polycrisis while ensuring legitimacy, scalability, and inclusivity (De Filippi & Wright, 2018).

CENTRAL HYPOTHESIS

The dissertation is grounded in the following hypothesis: "In the context of an accelerating polycrisis and the incapacity of centralized global governance institutions, Network States within the blockchain ecosystem represent an innovative governance experiment that may offer scalable, decentralized solutions to global systemic risks."

The study contends that Network States—enabled by blockchain technology and operating beyond the constraints of traditional nation-states—could introduce new models of sovereignty, coordination, and collective decision-making, reshaping how governance is conceptualized and implemented at a planetary scale.

BLOCKCHAIN AS AN ENABLER: FROM TECHNOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO GOVERNANCE INNOVATION

Blockchain, originally conceived as a distributed ledger technology for financial applications such as Bitcoin (Nakamoto, 2008), has evolved into a broader governance innovation tool (Srinivasan, 2022). The ability to coordinate actors without central intermediaries, create transparent rule enforcement through smart contracts, and enable financial and governance mechanisms without centralized trust has positioned blockchain as a potential alternative to traditional institutions. However, this research does not assume a wholesale replacement of existing governance structures but rather a hybrid evolution where decentralized and centralized models coexist and interact dynamically.

Challenges in Governance Integration:

● Coordination without central authority: How can decentralized systems ensure collective decision-making efficiency without governance bottlenecks? ● Scalability vs. decentralization trade-off: Can blockchain-based governance mechanisms scale without concentrating power in a few actors? ● Incentives and legitimacy: Do decentralized systems provide incentives for broad participation, or do they risk replicating existing power structures?"

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Bibliography

REFERENCE BIBLIOGRAPHY

GENERAL GOVERNANCE AND POLYCRISIS STUDIES

● Biermann, F. (2020). The Future of Global Governance: The Role of Polycentric Governance in Addressing Systemic Risks. ● Wallerstein, I. (2004). World-Systems Analysis: An Introduction. Duke University Press. ● Schwab, K. (2016). The Fourth Industrial Revolution. World Economic Forum. ● Keohane, R. & Nye, J. (2000). Power and Interdependence: World Politics in Transition. Little, Brown & Co.

BLOCKCHAIN AND DECENTRALIZED GOVERNANCE

● Nakamoto, S. (2008). Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System. ● Castells, M. (1996). The Rise of the Network Society. Wiley-Blackwell. ● Bauwens, M. (2013). The Structure and Practices of Commons-Based Peer Production. ● De Filippi, P., & Wright, A. (2018). Blockchain and the Law: The Rule of Code. Harvard University Press. ● Srinivasan, B. (2022). The Network State: How to Start a New Country. ● Antonopoulos, A. (2018). Mastering Bitcoin: Unlocking Digital Cryptocurrencies. O'Reilly Media. ● Kostakis, V., & Bauwens, M. (2014). Network Society and Future Scenarios for a Collaborative Economy. Palgrave Macmillan.

NETWORK STATES AND CASE STUDIES

● Srinivasan, B. (2022). The Network State: How to Start a New Country. ● Ostrom, E. (1990). Governing the Commons: The Evolution of Institutions for Collective Action. ● GitcoinDAO (2023). Gitcoin Whitepaper. ● Draper Nation, Liberland, Satoshi Island, Praxis, Prospera - Empirical case studies.

DECENTRALIZED FINANCE AND CRYPTO-ECONOMICS

● Harvey, D. (2010). The Enigma of Capital and the Crises of Capitalism. Profile Books. ● Potts, J., Takagi, S., Swan, M., Tasca, P., & Witte, F. (2021). The Economics of Blockchain. ● Prasad, E. S. (2021). The Future of Money: How the Digital Revolution is Transforming Currencies and Finance.

[[Category:Governance]

Network State in the Blockchain Ecosystem and Their Potential Impact on Global Governance

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