The Network State Conference: Building the Parallel Establishment
In an era of rapid technological advancement, the traditional structures of governance and societal organization are undergoing profound transformations. The rise of Web3 ecosystems, blockchain technology, and decentralized networks has given birth to a groundbreaking concept: the Network State. This paradigm shift challenges the conventional notion of nation-states and explores the potential of creating highly aligned, decentralized online communities capable of collective action.
DSAFE, with its core vision and mission, actively works towards building a decentralized community that aspires to evolve into a Network State from the grassroots level. This vision is intrinsically tied to the organizational developments emerging from Web3 ecosystems, embracing values like cooperativism, decentralization, and goal-oriented action, essential for addressing global challenges and risks.
Defining the Network State:
The term “Network State” was introduced by Balaji Srinivasan, and it represents a new political unit or entity emerging within blockchain ecosystems. In simple terms, a Network State can be described as a highly aligned online community with the capacity for collective action, crowdfunding territories worldwide, and eventually gaining diplomatic recognition from existing states. Balaji Srinivasan’s book, “The Network State” (2022), delves deep into this concept, offering a precise definition and outlining a comprehensive seven-step plan to create a Network State from scratch. It also presents eleven essential properties that are vital for understanding this groundbreaking political concept.
Comparing the Nation States and Network States:
The traditional nation-states are founded on geographic boundaries, centralized authority with the legitimate use of violence, obligatory citizenship, and centralized governance. In contrast, the Network State is based on decentralized networks of individuals and organizations who share common values and interests. It leverages technologies such as blockchain to enable trustless coordination without the need for centralized intermediaries.
Key Elements of a Network State:
Balaji Srinivasan’s work and the insights of the Jur team highlight eleven important elements to consider when building a successful Network State:
Social Network: A network state must have a group of people connected through a network capable of cooperation, often bound by a smart contract or “social contract.”
Moral Innovation: It requires a clear and compelling purpose that citizens genuinely care about, fostering purpose-driven communities.
National Consciousness: Citizens must recognize their choice to associate and cooperate with shared values, fostering a collective embrace of moral innovation.
Recognized Founder: Early stages require leadership from founders to provide direction and legitimacy, evolving into decentralized leadership mechanisms as the community matures.
Capacity for Collective Action: A transparent and auditable structure on the blockchain facilitates decentralized decision-making and collective action.
Interpersonal Civility: Building a high-trust society requires a norm of interpersonal civility to create a pleasant environment for citizens.
Integrated Cryptocurrency and Blockchain: A Network State must have its recognized cryptocurrency and blockchain infrastructure, providing economic control and immutable records.
Consensual Government Limited by Smart Contract: Citizens opt-in, and the network state’s authority is defined and limited by smart contracts.
Archipelago of Crowdfunded Territory: Physical territory ownership complements online communities and paves the way for diplomatic recognition.
Virtual Capital: A recognized virtual space where citizens can interact is essential for a Network State’s functioning.
On-Chain Census: Achieving diplomatic recognition from existing nation-states requires rigorous proof of population, territory, income, and citizen consent.
The Network State Conference:
The inaugural Network State Conference, scheduled for October 30 in Amsterdam, is a groundbreaking event. It brings together a diverse lineup of speakers, including luminaries such as Glenn Greenwald, Vitalik Buterin, Anatoly Yakovenko, Garry Tan, the Winklevoss twins, Tyler Cowen, and founders and funders of startup societies worldwide. The event is a unique gathering of individuals actively involved in building the parallel establishment — not just in the realm of finance but also in media, education, science, construction, and urban planning.
This conference isn’t merely another tech gathering; it represents a meeting of like-minded individuals working towards creating parallel societies and institutions rooted in Internet values. In a world where the stability of traditional institutions is in question, this event explores a fourth response — that of the technologist, building parallel societies and institutions based on Internet values. The Internet has already shown its capacity to effect change and innovation where traditional political processes have failed, making it a natural source of inspiration for creating alternatives to declining Western institutions.
The Parallel Establishment:
At the heart of the Network State Conference is the idea of the parallel establishment, which encompasses both physical parallel societies and digital parallel services. Physical parallel societies include startup cities, local communities, and digital organizations, all-embracing in-person components and political innovation based on opt-in, Internet First principles. The digital parallel services, on the other hand, fix individual failing Western institutions, providing alternatives that operate based on decentralization and Internet values.
This conference is an opportunity to learn, collaborate, and discuss how we can collectively work towards building parallel institutions and societies rooted in Internet values. As the world continues to evolve, this emerging concept of the Network State may be the answer to the challenges we face as a global society.
