New Forms of Web3-Enabled Nation-Statehood
* Article: Decentralized Web3 Reshaping Internet Governance: Towards the Emergence of New Forms of Nation-Statehood? by Igor Calzada. Future Internet 2024, 16(10), 361; doi
URL = https://www.mdpi.com/1999-5903/16/10/361
"How is decentralized Web3 reshaping Internet governance and influencing the rise in new nation-statehood parad]]igms?"
Contextual Quote
On Re-Scaling State Functions:
"Contrary to libertarian beliefs that decentralization would dismantle state structures, these developments suggest a transformation in how sovereignty and governance are exercised. The concept of rescaling — wherein global and local forces interact to reshape state functions — has profound implications for the future of governance. This rescaling is evident in the rise in city-regional governance and the increasing prominence of digital platforms as arbiters of power, challenging the traditional Westphalian model [13,14,15]. As new forms of nation-statehood emerge, the intersection of platforms and governance will play a critical role in shaping sovereignty, transparency, and techno-political futures."
- Igor Calzada [1]
Abstract
"This article explores how decentralized Web3 is reshaping Internet governance by enabling the emergence of new forms of nation-statehood and redefining traditional concepts of state sovereignty. Based on fieldwork conducted in Silicon Valley since August 2022, this article systematically addresses the following research question: How is decentralized Web3 reshaping Internet governance and influencing the rise in new nation-statehood paradigms?
It compares three emerging paradigms around Web3:
(i) Network State (Srinivasan), envisioning digital entities rooted in crypto-libertarian principles;
(ii) Network Sovereignties (De Filippi), emphasizing communal governance aligned with digital commons; and
(iii) Algorithmic Nations (Calzada), drawing on Arendtian thought and demonstrating how communities—such as indigenous and stateless groups, as well as e-diasporas—can attain self-determination through data sovereignty.
This article contributes a unique conceptual analysis of these paradigms based on fieldwork action research in Silicon Valley, responding to evolving technologies and their potential to reshape Internet governance. This article argues that decentralized Web3 provides a transformative vision for Internet governance but requires careful evaluation to ensure that it promotes inclusivity and equity. It advocates for a hybrid approach that balances global and local dynamics, emphasizing the need for solidarity, digital justice, and an internationalist perspective in shaping future Internet governance protocols."