In the early 1990s, Estonia emerged from the collapse of the Soviet Union as a newly independent nation. At a time when many former Soviet republics were focused on rebuilding their economies and governance structures, Estonia recognized a unique opportunity: the potential of digital technology to drive its transformation. This small Baltic nation saw the internet not just a tool for communication but a means to reimagine governance, citizen engagement, and economic growth.
This decision to embrace the internet early and fully was not just born out of necessity but was fueled by the belief that technology could play a central role in shaping the nation’s future.
Estonia’s transformation became known as e-Estonia — a digital society built on the foundations of the internet. This past 30 years hasn’t just been about adopting new tools and platforms. It was about using the internet to create a more democratic, transparent, and efficient society. Citizens have been given the ability to vote online, pay taxes, sign legal documents, and access nearly all government services (except divorce filings). This digital infrastructure increased transparency and accountability, while making government services more accessible to all citizens. And it made Estonia one of the most technologically advanced societies in the world.
Christopher Koopman is a guest columnist for Cointelegraph and the CEO of the Abundance Institute. He was previously the executive director at the Center for Growth and Opportunity at Utah State University, and a senior research fellow and director of the technology policy program at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. He is currently a senior affiliated scholar with the Mercatus Center and a member of the IT and Emerging Technology Working Group at the Federalist Society’s Regulatory Transparency Project.
This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.