Bitcoin for Libertarian Socialists with Ben de Waal - WBD547

Ben de Waal is the VP of Engineering for Swan Bitcoin. In
this interview, we discuss living on bitcoin, what it means
to be a libertarian socialist, the issues with capitalism and
why Bitcoin should be a home for those on the left and the
right.


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The last year has been marked by a growing interest in
Bitcoin from progressives. A number of high-profile liberal
names have emerged from within the community extolling the
utility of Bitcoin. But, this is not a new phenomenon: the
community has always been a home for the full spectrum of
views. Further, there are important reasons why Bitcoin
appeals to those on both the left and the right.


Bitcoin has garnered a strong libertarian following. This was
something Satoshi envisioned: in 2008 he stated in a post
“It's very attractive to the libertarian viewpoint if we can
explain it properly.” This was successful; there are many who
have been attracted to the Bitcoin community for its
potential to provide an alternative to state-controlled
currency, and thereby limit the size of government.


This alignment with the right has acted as a barrier to some
on the left. But not all. The original cypherpunks philosophy
was predicated on anarchist ideals, to work outside of
government controls. This attitude is analogous to those on
the left who feel disenfranchised by the current global
capitalist hegemony. Bitcoin too offers those on the left a
chance to opt-out of what they perceive to be a broken
system. Increasing numbers are waking up to this opportunity.


The issue is obviously that the left and the right have been
at loggerheads for centuries. Over this time debate has
evolved into grandstanding. Misconceptions have been allowed
to fester on both sides. This has been supercharged by social
media where the general aim now is to marginalise an opposing
opinion rather than seek to analyse and potentially
assimilate different ideas.


If Bitcoin really is freedom money, then it needs to be a
home to people of all opinions. The issue is that our society
has become polarised; a winner takes all attitude has
metastasized. We need to reaffirm the basis of a strong
democratic system: a pluralistic society that tolerates and
supports multiple centres of power. Where ideas are debated,
solutions are found, and progress is made. We need the same
philosophical approach as the United States' founding
fathers.