What is permissionless development?

Permissionless development refers to the ability to create products, services, or innovations without needing approval or permission from external authorities. This concept is central to many modern technological advances, especially in the fields of software development and blockchain technology.

Naval Ravikant explains that new forms of leverage, such as coding, writing books, recording podcasts, and YouTubing, do not require external approval for success. This kind of permissionless leverage allows individuals to multiply their efforts independently, leading to more egalitarian and democratized innovation 1.

Vitalik Buterin also highlights the advantage of permissionless development within blockchain technology. Building applications and layer two solutions on existing protocols like Ethereum is faster and more efficient because it doesn't require community consensus or coordination from multiple parties, contrasting with the more permissioned processes required for protocol changes on the base layer 2.

Marc Andreessen emphasizes the significant impact of permissionless innovation in driving technological advancements. Historically, the internet itself thrived due to its permissionless nature, allowing unrestricted creativity and participation from developers worldwide. This approach fosters greater innovation and potential than traditional, permissioned systems, which require formal approval processes 3 4.