The Impact of Technology on Political Organization: The Rise of Network States
Nationalism, Borders, and Sovereignty: How They Shaped the Political Landscape and What the Future Holds
by Thomas Thang, senior investment associate
Where did the idea of a nation state come from?
It may surprise you that the emergence of the nation-state is a relatively recent development in human history. emerged fairly recently. During the Middle Ages, people had little concept of a larger world beyond their immediate surroundings and identified primarily with their local tribes or bands..
With the collapse of the Roman Empire in the 5th century, the centralized system of government and economy that characterized the empire disappeared, and Europe was plunged into a period of political and economic chaos. Feudalism emerged as a way for people to provide for their own security and protection, by forming bonds of loyalty and dependence with more powerful individuals.
Around 1,500, Europe experienced a rapid period of economic, scientific, and philosophical change. Monarchs sought to unite their people and territories under their control in an effort to increase their own power. Many kings fostered a sense of loyalty among their subjects by promoting the idea that they shared a common language, culture, and history. This process contributed to the creation of national identities and paved the way for the concept of nationalism.
The emergence of nationalism was also linked to the rise of Enlightenment philosophy and the spread of ideas about individual rights and freedoms. Nationalism was seen as a way to achieve political self-determination and to create a society that reflected the will of the people. In this sense, nationalism was seen as a progressive force, as it challenged the idea of absolute monarchy and promoted the idea of popular sovereignty.
The concept of the nation-state was further codified by the Peace of Westphalia treaty, which ended the Thirty Years' War in 1648. The treaty decreed that the sovereign ruler of a state had power over all elements of both the nation and the state. This gave birth to the modern idea of a sovereign nation-state.
People came to see their countries as extensions of themselves. We experience whatever happens to our nation as if it happened to us. We support our nations and experience immense communal joy and anguish through victories and defeats. This national identity for most people has become one of the first and most fundamental ways we define ourselves.
On borders and sovereignty
The history of borders and sovereignty is shaped by the legacy of European colonialism, which used economic and military power to conquer and divide the world. The arbitrary lines that were drawn to define the boundaries of nation-states continue to exist, despite the fact that they often contain diverse groups of people with different cultural, racial, and linguistic identities.
It is important to recognize that the concept of the nation-state is a relatively recent development, and that borders are not natural or inevitable features of the world. They are, in fact, socially constructed and arbitrary lines that reflect historical power dynamics rather than any inherent truths about identity or geography.
As the ideals of globalization propagate throughout the world, we feel a greater sense of interconnectedness to online communities that transcend national borders and offer us new ways of defining ourselves based on shared interests and values. This sense of interconnectedness challenges our traditional notions of national identity and highlights the importance of recognizing the diversity of perspectives that exist within and across borders.
What is a “Network State”?
The concept of a "network state" challenges the traditional idea of the nation-state as a centralized political entity with a defined territory and borders. A network state is based on the idea that ideology is shifting away from these centralized governments towards decentralized networks of people and organizations connected through technology and shared interests.
In his 2022 book “The Network State”, Balaji defines it as “a social network with a moral innovation, a sense of national consciousness, a recognized founder, a capacity for collective action, an in-person level of civility, an integrated cryptocurrency, a consensual government limited by a social smart contract, an archipelago of crowdfunded physical territories, a virtual capital, and an on-chain census that proves a large enough population, income, and real estate footprint to attain a measure of diplomatic recognition.”
We see snippets of network states emerge via online communities or movements that form within niche forums and garner widespread support from people all over the world. People want to make that individualistic choice to freely identify with a network state that they personally resonate with.
The emergence of network states challenges the traditional nation-state model and raises questions about the future of the global political landscape. As technology enables people to connect with others who share their interests, values, and experiences, it may erode the importance of national identity and borders. This could lead to a more decentralized and diverse political system, with network states competing for influence and recognition
Currently, there are 24 startup societies listed on a dashboard attempting to establish themselves as network states. These societies are building digital nations and communities to allow individuals to freely identify with the networks they resonate with. This presents new opportunities for individuals to participate in governance and decision-making processes outside of traditional nation-state structures.
Afropolitan
Afropolitan is an initiative that seeks to redefine the notion of nation-states in the digital age. The Afropolitan project is founded on the idea of building a digital nation that brings together Africans, their diaspora, and allies to promote prosperity and a sense of community. As the first-ever internet country, Afropolitan issues digital passports to its members, with the aim of eventually acquiring physical land and gaining diplomatic recognition to create economic opportunities for its members.
The potential for Afropolitan is significant, as the African diaspora is a vast community of around 250 million people who remit over $70 billion annually to their home countries. Additionally, Africa has the youngest population in the world, which highlights the potential for the continent's economic growth in the future. Afropolitan's approach is to first focus on building a community of like-minded project founders and operators, using a selective application process to ensure ideological alignment with their vision.
Ultimately, the Afropolitan Network seeks to scale up through the use of a super app, creating a network of seed institutions to govern and develop their economy. The emergence of digital nations like Afropolitan raises important questions about the nature of citizenship and belonging in the 21st century. As technology enables people to connect and collaborate with others around the world, it may become easier to form communities based on shared interests and values, rather than traditional notions of nationality and borders. The concept of a digital nation like Afropolitan is an exciting development that highlights the potential for new forms of governance and community-building in the digital age.