Unit 9

Question 1

Libertarianism

Answer 1

Libertarianism = autonomy, voluntary transactions, free markets.

=> lesser rules + less institutional regulation = authentic & innovative human action.

Question 2

P2P vs. client-server

Answer 2

P2P = users exchange data directly -> freedom
client-server = central host -> control

Question 3

Why did early digital technologies support libertarian ideas?

Answer 3

Bc they were decentralized & avoided centralized control, allowing users to act independently.

Question 4

Blockchain

Mehr Infos für mich:
- 2008 financial crisis -> S. Nakamoto
- Bitcoin as a P2P electronic cash system

Answer 4

shared, decentralised record where transactions are stored together, copied across many computers, and not controlled by one authority.

=> everyone can see, nobody owns, nobody can secretly change

Question 5

Smart Contracts

=> Why are smart contracts a libertarian “dream”?

Answer 5

Self-executing agreements stored on a blockchain that automatically enforce rules without third parties.

🧠 Keywords: code, automatic, no intermediaries

Smart Contracts enable direct interaction, autonomy, and enforcement without institutions like courts or governments.

Question 6

Centralized Databases

Answer 6

1 central authority controls all data. All data is stored in 1 central node.

=> Not suited for blockchain bc blockchain rejects central control & single authorities.

Question 7

Decentralized Databases

Answer 7

multiple hubs. Data is spread across several central nodes, but each node has mini-control-center.

Question 8

Distributed Databases

Answer 8

No central hub, everyone stores copy of the data.

=> blockchain -> peer-to-peer interaction, autonomy

Question 9

Eselsbrücke:
Centralized = one boss
Decentralized = several bosses
Distributed = no boss

Answer 9

Centralized = one boss
Decentralized = several bosses
Distributed = no boss

Question 10

3 advantages of centralized databases

3 disadvantages of centralized databases

Answer 10

fast
clear (one single truth)
controlled (accountability)

1 point of failure
trust (in authority)
censorship