Work

Smart treaties: A path to binding agreements in international relations?

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Can we create binding agreements between nations? Recently, scholars have argued that blockchain technology enables us to do so. Given that this could greatly affect the anarchical world order implied by state sovereignty, this remarkable claim is investigated thoroughly. By focusing on the technical implementation of smart contracts between nations, this article finds that the potential to create binding agreements using blockchain technology is far more limited than recently suggested.

Source: Technological Forecasting and Social Change

DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2025.124336

Author: Niklas V. Lehmann

Institution: TU Bergakademie Freiberg

Language: English

Topic: Blockchain Technology Applications and Security

Subfield: Information Systems

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,490