Unmapping the 21st Century: Between Networks and the State

Description

The 21st century has been characterized by great turbulence, climate change, a global pandemic, and democratic decay. Drawing on post-structural political theory, this book explores two dominant concepts used to make sense of our disturbed reality: the state and the network. The book explains how they are inextricably interwoven, while showing why they complicate the way we interpret our present. In seeking a better understanding of today’s world, this book argues that we need to pull apart the familiar lines of our maps. By looking beneath and across these lines, an ‘unmapping’ presents new insights and opportunities for a better future. Front Cover Unmapping the 21st Century: Between Networks and the State Copyright information Table of contents List of figures Introduction 1 Taking the Lines Off the Map The Millionth Map The insurgent map 2 A Great Unmapping The cycle of forms War and revolution 3 Capitalism and Imperialism Masterless men Body commerce 4 Thinking Like a State Nation of the faithful Unmapping jihad 5 Bureaucracy and Power Bonfire of the vanguards Network integration 6 The Battle Swarm Safety nets Revolution and persistence 7 Information and the State Regulation and diffusion Whose network? 8 Romance of Networks Secrecy and faith A climate for the state 9 Borders and Impermanence No lines of separation Maps to Paradise Conclusion Afterword Notes Index Back Cover