Image courtesy own creation via Alex Pawlowski

What Does A World Look Like Where Citizenship Is Chosen, Not Assigned?

“The great migrations of history were not just about survival, but about seeking new forms of freedom.” — Adapted from Yuval Noah Harari

Imagine a future where your nationality isn’t determined by your birthplace but by your values, aspirations, and digital affiliations. Instead of being bound to one government, you could choose among global “network states” — digital-first nations with real-world influence.

This concept, famously explored in Balaji Srinivasan’s The Network State, suggests that physical borders and centralized governance structures are outdated. The internet, blockchain, and decentralized communities are converging to create new sovereign entities that are entirely virtual in origin but capable of negotiating with traditional states.

But how does this work in practice? How would a virtual citizen interact with the world, earn trust from host nations, and live in a truly borderless society?

How Digital Nations Are Formed and How People Onboard

A successful digital nation requires three fundamental building blocks: a shared vision, a robust governance system, and a real-world diplomatic strategy. Here’s how it might play out:

Step 1: Formation — The Ideological Foundation

Much like early utopian communities or modern tech startups, digital nations start with a small but committed founding group that shares a clear mission. These groups might begin as online communities (on Discord, DAOs, or private social platforms) and grow into economic and social networks with real-world influence.

Key mechanisms of formation include:

• A digital manifesto that outlines the values, objectives, and governance structure of the new digital nation.
• Economic alignment via shared financial tools — such as a cryptocurrency, treasury, or pooled funds managed by smart contracts.
• Social contracts enforced through blockchain governance models, ensuring transparent decision-making.

Over time, this digital community evolves from a loose network of members into a coordinated…