Given the thought premise that we don't wipe each other out with war technology - The transition from nation state to 'planet state', is it possible? If so, how would this be done? If not, why, and what would prevent total globalization on a long time scale? Will we ever cease to be China, Norway, Yemen, Germany, United States of America, Nigeria - and become "Planet Earth"? What might a planetary society look like?
I've thought about this from time to time and it's interesting to think about. I'm sure there will be change, how long that takes is anyone's guess. I doubt the Romans thought their empire would fall but it did. I'm not saying there are empires but it's just the point. I think the biggest thing in the way of a global government would be religion.
no. That would be a terrible idea. The reason is because different people have different cultures traditions and needs. As a general trend, the bigger the government, the smaller the representation. Smaller local governments are far more effective We might see something like the UN become much bigger though -Yuri
Do you think there is a trend towards globalization, on a larger timescale? Are Norwegians more like Germans who are more like French now than 200 years ago? Are the people living in America more of similar culture now than 150 years ago? Will we all be a bit more 'same' given the growth of the internet and similar 'uniting' factors? Given a timescale, of, say, 5000 years?
Unfortunately, our global society is going to be playing 'catch-up' socially for a long time because of the era we are in right now. Globalization MAY speed that process up or slow it down. For example, look at countries that are considered second or third world and have rigged elections, shitty public services, etc. Now look at America. A first world country with EXACTLY the same problems, socially, as a second or third world country. Put into that perspective, you realize how behind we have fallen considering we are first world and the set example by us does not inspire them to make changes, but to remain changeless.
Countries Without Borders. The cynic in me says no.. people are too hung up on their differences. The space enthusiast in me wants to say yes.. cause the majority of the planet is going to have to unite for us to spread through the solar system. Pissed is, if Earth united.. whatever unity will eventually be lost between planets and we will be back to how we are on Earth, just on a larger scale.
Nations might unite.wherever ppl share religion, language or culture Centralized government, semi-autonomous states A world of 36 nations
Even if we all shared those views there's still too many other "views" that the world will never meet on. From politics to something even as small as fishing the entire world would have to come to agreement upon. The reason I used fishing as an example, instead of something like education, women's rights, cannabis regulations, etc etc is because I recently saw an episode of whale wars. Some countries think hunting and fishing for whales is totally acceptable. In other countries you can be imprisoned for it. There's way too many "views" out there on way to many subjects no matter how simple or complex for a "planet earth" civilization to ever survive. The list of what we would have to come to some sort of agreement or compromise is way way too long
I think that there is a trend of economic globalization and it is conceivable that there will be a "world economy" in the distant future, however, this is purely economic and political. There is a push for cultural homogenization between many countries, however, not so much for a single unified global culture. People will always try to retain a sense of identity and while they may be willing to share their culture and experience new things they are likely to hold on to their cultural identity for their entire life regardless of where they end up. As to the American cultural thing that is a yes and no answer that really depends where you are living. I live in the mountains of western North Carolina where it seems some parts are frozen in time with a rugged Appalachian / pioneer spirit that hasn't changed much since the 1800s. People live completely self sustained lives in the middle of nowhere and speak with a dialect that is mostly forgotten. On the other hand the small city of Asheville where I spend most of my time is a cultural melting pot where you can walk downtown and experience everything from backwoods hillbillies to rich corporate ass holes, Buddhist monks, hippies, crust punks, and almost any type of European bar is available in a few square miles. On to the rest of the country, I would venture that the older areas on the east coast from the original colonies have preserved their culture better than their west coast counterparts who essentially developed their own culture after the 1800s and 1900s migration. There are some seriously unified cultural themes here in the US particularly in suburban areas where corporate branding is king and most culture is homogenized by whatever is in the mainstream and has become a watered down version of the real culture from which it originated. To wrap this up, I would say that people living in major cities and suburbs are very culturally similar to those living in completely different cities even if these cities are polar opposites from each other (US cities are very politically divided between liberal and conservative cities). Rural areas are where you find the true cultural gems like the Cajuns, Appalachian hillbillies, and some coastal fisherman types. On a side note, a cultural divide that I find interesting is how Appalachian is pronounced. Up north they say it wrong, here we say it like "apple-at-chin" but up north they say "app-uh-lay-shun" which is wrong!
Couldn't have said it better myself. Basically part of humans genetic hardwiring is a sense of individualism. There will always be people wanting to be part of a culture that seperates them from the norm -Yuri