Could the entire world become a single nation?

[Brickjectivity]

Re-thinking states and territories in large federations such as the USA, EU, Canada, China, USSR etc:

How large can a country be without getting unwieldy? What is the best size? Can the entire world become one country or not?

 

[Quintessence]

Not very, it seems. Interpersonal dynamics fall apart very quickly when you have more than around a dozen humans involved. Larger group sizes allow for greater anonymity and more non-engagement which in a political context translates into interests and needs not being heard or addressed. To me, the very idea of nations and states is inherently unwieldily, I guess.

 

[Revoltingest]

I don't see it happening.
It would mean admitting Scotland.

 

[Jeremiahcp]

The world is already under universal control by cats.

"


Studies Show That Cats May Rule The World Through Mind-Control Parasites, SERIOUSLY

Science has long known about a particular parasite associated with cats, Toxoplasma gondii. Although parasitic mind control sounds like the stuff of sci-fi television – IT IS REAL! The parasite, T. gondii, is specific to cats and can only reproduce within cats, once expelled by the cat, the T.gondii becomes infectious in 1-5 days. In rats and mice, the T.gondii infection has been shown to DECREASE the rodents aversion to predators, in effect making the cats better “mousers” or hunters, they cheat.

 

[Kirran]

Hmm, I think that the processes and restructuring which go towards making this a reality would inandof themselves outmode the concept of the nation. Which I'd be cool with.

 

[Nietzsche]

Not very, it seems. Interpersonal dynamics fall apart very quickly when you have more than around a dozen humans involved. Larger group sizes allow for greater anonymity and more non-engagement which in a political context translates into interests and needs not being heard or addressed. To me, the very idea of nations and states is inherently unwieldily, I guess.

You aren't a terribly practical person, are you?

Re-thinking states and territories in large federations such as the USA, EU, Canada, China, USSR etc:

How large can a country be without getting unwieldy? What is the best size? Can the entire world become one country or not?

Britain controlled 24% of the planet in 1920. And that was with, well, the most basic forms of telecommunications.

A world-state is both possible and, I'd argue, necessary for human development beyond this meager little planet.

 

[Father Heathen]

That would require the whole of humanity to be ideologically homogeneous.

 

[David1967]

Not likely, besides, what if that "one nation" stinks? There wouldn't be anywhere else to move to.

 

[sun rise]

That would require the whole of humanity to be ideologically homogeneous.

Not necessarily given the ideologically differences in the USofA between libertarians and socialists (outside of a small group of libertarian socialists). (In case you think I'm nuts about libertarian socialism: Libertarian socialism - Wikipedia )

 

[Kirran]

Not necessarily given the ideologically differences in the USofA between libertarians and socialists (outside of a small group of libertarian socialists). (In case you think I'm nuts about libertarian socialism: Libertarian socialism - Wikipedia )

Libertarian socialism is the best socialism. It's only in the USA that libertarianism has the right-wing connotations.

 

[bobhikes]

I don't see it happening. Seems more people want there own county.

Lists of active separatist movements - Wikipedia

 

[Nakosis]

I don't see it happening.
It would mean admitting Scotland.

Admitting Scotland? Hell, I'm voting for Scotland to take over. Kilts will be required attire.

Spoiler

 

[Augustus]

How large can a country be without getting unwieldy?

It depends on the system of government.

If it is a highly decentralised federation (like Switzerland) then it can be quite large.

If it is fairly centralised (like most countries) then it probably goes downhill after about 5 million. Size increases complexity exponentially.

What is the best size?

A federation large enough to support a significant military for defence broken down into highly autonomous regions/municipalities of no more than a few million.

Can the entire world become one country or not?

No. We are too diverse and identity driven and government would be highly ineffective and contentious.

Britain controlled 24% of the planet in 1920. And that was with, well, the most basic forms of telecommunications.

That was actually an advantage as it meant power had to be decentralised to a significant degree.

Nowadays, you'd get far more of someone in some office thousands of miles away making decisions about places they didn't understand.

 

[Quintessence]

You aren't a terribly practical person, are you?

Overlooking that this is clearly an improper extrapolation, why would you say that? Why is recognizing that groups of humans become difficult to engage and manage after around a dozen or so individuals impractical? I thought this was pretty well-known.

 

[Stevicus]

Re-thinking states and territories in large federations such as the USA, EU, Canada, China, USSR etc:

How large can a country be without getting unwieldy? What is the best size? Can the entire world become one country or not?

There have been many attempts in the past by ambitious leaders to try to conquer the world. But for whatever reason, they just couldn't do it. Last time around, it was Germany, Italy, and Japan who tried, but they were relatively small nations with limited resources. In order to really pull off a global conquest and unification, the crazed, power-mad dictators would have to be in charge of large, powerful nations, such as America, Russia, and China. Then, they can get together and divide up the world into their own spheres of influence.

So then, there would only be three countries in the world. We'd probably have to rename them, to something like Oceania, Eastasia, and Eurasia. Each country would be a police state. In Oceania, there would be signs all over: "Big Donald is Watching You."

 

[LuisDantas]

Re-thinking states and territories in large federations such as the USA, EU, Canada, China, USSR etc:

How large can a country be without getting unwieldy? What is the best size? Can the entire world become one country or not?

It seems to be not so much a function of size as of population level, economic disparities, and educational attainments.

For a random European nation, about five million people seem to be at least workable, sometimes better than that. The Scandinavians seem to be ahead of the curve there.

Brazil IMO needs to break up into at least five separate governments. It is very much unworkable already.

Some communities will break up. A few seem to be culturally unable of not seeking it.

 

[YmirGF]

Re-thinking states and territories in large federations such as the USA, EU, Canada, China, USSR etc:

How large can a country be without getting unwieldy? What is the best size? Can the entire world become one country or not?

Anything is possible however unlikely. Managing a one world government would be a major headache though due to different sensitivities and cultural norms that abound across the planet.

 

[YmirGF]

It seems to be not so much a function of size as of population level, economic disparities, and educational attainments.

For a random European nation, about five million people seem to be at least workable, sometimes better than that. The Scandinavians seem to be ahead of the curve there.

Brazil IMO needs to break up into at least five separate governments. It is very much unworkable already.

Some communities will break up. A few seem to be culturally unable of not seeking it.

I bet if you tore down all of those idolatrous statues of Jesus everything would work out for the better.

 

[YmirGF]

In Oceania, there would be signs all over: "Big Donald is Watching You."

At least we are fortunate that his name is not Dick.

 

[LuisDantas]

I bet if you tore down all of those idolatrous statues of Jesus everything would work out for the better.

Or maybe, just maybe, not...