The essence and social shaping of blockchain technology

区块链技术的本质与社会形塑

Abstract

In the context of the digital age, blockchain technology plays a crucial role in social governance. However, existing research focuses primarily on the impact of blockchain technology on society, neglecting the shaping effect of society on it. How society shapes blockchain technology has become an important topic in social governance research. As a new perspective distinct from technological determinism, social shaping theory argues that blockchain technology does not develop according to its inherent logic, but rather is a product of social shaping, determined by the social conditions that create and use it. Based on social shaping theory, while acknowledging the impact of blockchain technology on society, this paper clarifies the interaction between blockchain technology and society, and examines the social shaping mechanism of blockchain technology from the aspects of its essence, characteristics, functions, value, and evolutionary development. It demonstrates the shaping effect of social needs, choices, evaluations, and regulations on the formation and development of blockchain technology. The paper argues that improving the social conditions for the development of blockchain technology, overcoming the inertia of technological determinism, cultivating a favorable social environment for its development, and emphasizing institutional innovation to promote its development will enable it to play a greater role in building a digital China, developing the digital economy, and contributing to economic and social development.