The Network State: How To Start a New Country

As digital networks reshape every aspect of modern life, what comes after the nation state? In this short that redefines political organization for the internet age, Balaji Srinivasan maps out how technology enables new forms of sovereignty. He analyzes the emerging conflict between three global forces: American institutional power, Chinese technological control, and cryptocurrency networks. Drawing from historical patterns of state formation and technological revolution, Srinivasan introduces the network state — a digital community that evolves from coordinated online action to physical presence and ultimately diplomatic recognition. His work outlines how cryptographic systems, moral innovation, and voluntary association can create legitimate alternatives to traditional governance. For those watching the transformation of global power structures, this short charts a practical path toward digital-first nations built on technological truth rather than territorial control.