ABSTRACT

Policymakers across Canada are considering the blockchain as a way to enable smart(er) governance. Despite the technology’s infancy, jurisdictions perceive smart tools as one of many ways to govern efficiently. Critical geographers, however, remain circumspect of datafication as a value-making process, and have traced myriad ways data-driven technologies participate in the materialization of smart policy mobilities and governance. This article uses autobiography to highlight discourses positioning blockchain technology as a data-driving and -producing civic service. Empirical findings suggest that Canadian policymakers draw on entrepreneurial discourses of digital leadership, transparent data management and digital empowerment to justify their plans in ‘making blockchain real’. These regulatory discourses promote datafication through blockchains as a way to improve government services.

摘要

加拿大各地的政策制定者都在考虑将区块链作为实现智能（更）治理的一种方式。尽管该技术尚处于起步阶段，但司法管辖区将智能工具视为有效治理的众多方式之一。然而，批判地理学家仍然对数据化作为一个价值创造过程持谨慎态度，并追踪了数据驱动技术参与智能政策流动性和治理具体化的无数方式。本文使用自传来强调将区块链技术定位为数据驱动和生产公民服务的话语。实证结果表明，加拿大政策制定者利用数字领导力、透明数据管理和数字赋权的创业话语来证明他们“让区块链成为现实”的计划是合理的。