## Tags - Part of: - Related: - Includes: - Additional: ## Technical summaries - [[Technology]] has enabled us to start new companies, new communities, and new currencies. But can we use it to start new cities, or even new countries? Network states are successors to the nation state. ## Main resources - [The Network State](https://thenetworkstate.com/) <iframe src="https://thenetworkstate.com/" allow="fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" style="height:100%;width:100%; aspect-ratio: 16 / 5; "></iframe> ## Landscapes - [Network States – Revolutionary Idea To Potential New Asset Class](https://www.forbes.com/sites/digital-assets/2023/12/20/network-states--revolutionary-idea-to-potential-new-asset-class/) ## Landscapes written by AI (may include factually incorrect information) - Based on the search results and available information, there have been a few notable attempts at creating network states or similar concepts, though none have fully achieved the status of a recognized network state yet. Here's an overview of some key initiatives and their current state: ### Praxis Praxis is one of the more prominent attempts at creating a network state. It aims to build a city grounded in technological progress and innovation[6]. While still in development, Praxis has gained some attention in the crypto and tech communities. ### Afropolitan Afropolitan is another project working towards creating a network state. It focuses on fostering an ethnic bond among its community members, particularly those of African descent[6]. The project is still in its early stages. ### Epoch Island Epoch Island is an initiative aimed at establishing a new country with its own cryptocurrency[6]. Like the others, it's still in development and has not yet achieved the status of a recognized network state. ## State of Development It's important to note that none of these projects have yet achieved the full vision of a network state as described by Balaji Srinivasan. They are all in various stages of development, facing challenges such as: 1. Legal and regulatory hurdles 2. Building a sufficient community base 3. Establishing governance structures 4. Creating economic systems 5. Gaining diplomatic recognition ## Theoretical Framework While practical implementations are still in early stages, there has been significant theoretical work done on the concept of network states: ### Balaji Srinivasan's Model Balaji Srinivasan, in his book "The Network State," outlines a process for creating a network state[1][2][4]: 1. Found a startup society 2. Organize the society for collective action 3. Build trust offline and a crypto economy online 4. Crowdfund physical territories 5. Conduct an on-chain census 6. Organize a government 7. Seek diplomatic recognition This model provides a roadmap for aspiring network state founders, but achieving all these steps remains a significant challenge. ## Challenges and Criticisms While the concept of network states has generated interest, it also faces several criticisms and challenges: 1. **Practical Implementation**: Moving from theory to practice has proven difficult, with no fully realized network states yet in existence. 2. **Legal Complexities**: Navigating international law and gaining recognition from existing nation-states is a major hurdle[6]. 3. **Digital Inequality**: There are concerns that network states could exacerbate existing digital divides[6]. 4. **Economic Viability**: Establishing a functioning economy within a network state presents significant challenges[6]. 5. **Governance Issues**: Creating effective and fair governance systems for decentralized communities is complex. In conclusion, while there is ongoing work and interest in the concept of network states, all current attempts are still in early stages of development. The transition from theory to practice remains a significant challenge, and no project has yet achieved the full vision of a diplomatically recognized network state. Citations: [1] https://vitalik.eth.limo/general/2022/07/13/networkstates.html [2] https://thenetworkstate.com/the-network-state-in-one-sentence [3] https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/18512191.pdf [4] https://thenetworkstate.com/on-network-states [5] https://coinmarketcap.com/academy/article/the-network-state-by-balaji-srinivasan-how-to-start-a-digital-country [6] https://hackernoon.com/crypto-powered-communities-exploring-the-era-of-network-states [7] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/network-state