  Blockchain is often presented as a technological development; however,
clearly it is not only that: the `Blockchain buzz' exists in the context of
current social and political developments. In this essay, we analyse blockchain
technology and its social and political context from a perspective of Marxist
economic theory.
  Since arguably the last great inflection point in society and technology was
analysed by Marx in terms of labour and capital and since we seem to be
experiencing a shift in the balance between these forces today, it makes sense
to revisit the Marxist ideas and apply them to the current situation, to see
how well they still apply and if necessary to update them for current events.
