Why New Zealand should embrace a social credit system

 

Andrew Atkin

People are typically repelled by the idea of a Chinese style social credit system, and for good reason. It's dangerous, potentially, when it gives government intrusive power over the citizenry. 

However, I argue that the use of a social credit system in a democracy, such as New Zealand, is (or can be) different in that it can be made to be safe.

We can install a system that has no capacity to discredit people for speech, especially political speech, or personal lifestyle and beliefs, etc. And a system can be (and should be) installed that cannot be modified without public veto. Hence, with structural protections laid into the foundation, you can end up with the people's social credit system - not the governments.

This is an idea for New Zealand to consider, because a credit system does have advantages. A big advantage is it makes it possible for law abiding citizens to prove their honour. This would create enhanced trust amongst those who deserve it. 

To make the point clear, look at what New Zealand does today with criminal records. After 7 years your criminal history is effectively removed, because employers are not allowed to know of anyone's criminal record further than 7 years past. That sounds kind in that it gives criminals an easy second chance, but it has a dark side. Others who have no criminal history at all are deprived of their right to prove the fact of it.

You can see what I mean? It's valuable to be able to prove we can be trusted. Imagine walking into a shop, swiping a finger scan, and the shopkeeper then sees you've never been prosecuted for theft or assault. The shopkeeper relaxes, has a chat, and lets you hunt around his store without caring to keep an eye on you. The reverse is true if a scan let's him know you've done time for armed robbery. It's good both ways. 

A credit system will help with employment, access to private developments, nice restaurants, loans, transactions, rental accommodation, or even dating opportunities, etc. A clean credit rating is a reputational tool. It allows you to immediately prove a lot.

In many areas the system would work automatically, making its value prevalent. For example, you could walk into a public toilet after biometrically accessing the cubical, and it's pleasantly clean because people who do horrible things in toilets have been gated from access. This could even apply to areas like select public beaches. No more gangster music wrecking your family day in the sun? That would be nice.

It also functions as an excellent deterrent. No one will want to develop a record that blocks them from public transport or the like. In turn, it would promote more civility alround. It promotes trust while providing warning of those who may not be trusted.

China has this system in place and it works. We should embrace the system, tailoring it as we wish, while installing the vital controls to be certain that it's always the peoples social credit system.