Community Call Discussion: Network Nations w/ Primavera de Filippi
Let's explore the concept of digital nations - as developed by two different frameworks: the "Network State" (conceived by Balaji Srinivasan) and the "Network Nation" (conceived by Primavera de Filippi & Felix Beer). We will read the two essays introducing the respective concepts and discuss our observations and comparisons across. We will also be joined by Primavera de Filippi, Metagov Research Director and one of the authors of the Network Nation.
"Network State" is a highly aligned online community with the capacity for collective action that crowdfunds territory and eventually gains diplomatic recognition from pre-existing states. This concept receives criticism for largely recreating traditional forms of sovereignty, integrating the corporate logics of tech startups into a nation-state institution. "Network Nations," on the other hand, are "translocal communities united by shared identity, purpose, and values that govern their own affairs across borders without any territorial claims." On this call we'll dive deeper into the similarities, differences, and explore some of the following questions:
What exactly is a digital nation? What separates it from other types of societies?
Is the concept useful? Or just another over-engineered solution to a non-problem? What problems does it seek to solve?
Is the digital nation an actual solution to these problems? Are there other solutions?
Bonus: what new problems might a world of digital nations create?
Links to strongly suggested readings:
The Network State in One Essay (Balaji Srinivasan)
Network Nations: The Essay (Primavera de Filippi & Felix Beer)
Additional resources:
Build Network Societies, Not Network States - Criticism of The Network State framework (By Divya Siddarth, Anne-Marie Slaughter, E. Glen Weyl)
About Community Calls: Metagov Community Calls are informal discussion-based, peer-learning, or tool play-test calls that can be proposed, hosted, and facilitated by any member of the Metagov community.
The format may vary according to whether the call is a group discussion or a tool play-test; however, a standard format might entail a ~10 minute introduction to the topic by the host followed by the group discussion (based on 3-5 questions prepared by the host) or play-test experience. Check out this guide for how to Propose & Host a Community Call: https://metagov.pubpub.org/pub/0s838ukp/release/1