Rebooting A Nation (the Incredible Rise Of Estonia, E-government And The Startup Revolution)

How did a small post-Soviet state become a digital and e-government powerhouse, producing world-leading tech companies and pioneering policies for remote residency?

How did a small post-Soviet state become a digital and e-government powerhouse, producing world-leading tech companies and pioneering policies for remote residency?

Three decades after gaining independence from the Soviet Union, Estonia is a nation transformed. Today, the country is known worldwide as a startup hub, boasting billion-dollar companies including Wise, Veriff and Bolt—but even more impressive are Tallinn’s pioneering efforts in e-government. With 99 per cent of government services digitalised and accessible online, citizens can vote via computer, or file their taxes online in minutes; and Estonia’s use of artificial intelligence to enhance and automate its offering to citizens long predates ChatGPT.

Drawing on his experience as a former official for the Republic of Estonia, Joel Burke offers unique insight into the country’s rapid rise as a tech and e-government powerhouse since the turn of the century. From the founding of Skype to the future of the e-state, he unveils the tactics and stories behind Estonia’s spectacular journey—after years of Soviet occupation and mismanagement to global tech leadership. For those hoping to learn from Estonia’s incredible journey, Burke offers insights into the government’s use of AI, its creation of a digital society, and its cultivation of a culture driving public-sector creativity and innovation. Rebooting a Nation is an informative and entertaining masterclass in Estonia’s modern history.

''A historical, technical and cultural portrait of this small, singular nation and its efforts to build a society that is both user-friendly and cutting-edge. I found fascinations and pleasures at every turn, and something greater in the whole. At a time of democratic uncertainty and destabilisation across the West, this is a rich and thrilling parable of rescue: a vision of what the future--if we''re lucky--could turn out to be.''

''An illuminating exploration of Estonia''s transformation into a global digital pioneer. Joel Burke captures the essence of innovative, bold policy-making that turned a small nation into a trailblazer in e-governance and the startup ecosystem. For anyone intrigued by the intersection of technology, governance and societal resilience, this offers profound insights and inspiration.''

''An in-depth explanation of how a poor, small, formerly Soviet-occupied country became a world leader in e-governance, dramatically cutting bureaucracy and slow, clunky services, increasing transparency and citizen satisfaction with a seamless government, all while maintaining citizens’ privacy far more robustly than in any paper-based country. Burke shows how a nuanced yet wildly innovative approach has allowed Estonia to leap-frog ahead of the rest of the world.''

''A striking example of a country transformed since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Burke provides a compelling analysis of Estonia''s incredible rise, from startup revolution to global leadership in e-government.''

''Paints a fascinating picture of how Estonians leveraged their unique circumstances after the fall of the Soviet Union to develop software, systems and culture that expertly marry together technology and the public sector.''

''In an era when the U.S. government and defence industry must innovate to maintain global leadership, Joel Burke''s look at how Estonia became a powerhouse in tech, e-government and cyber comes at a critical time.''

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