Towards a Planetary Polity: The Formation of Global Identity and State Structures

This article looks into the interconnection between the development of a global identity and a planetary polity from a long-term view. It is argued that global political integration is facing special conceptual challenges compared to the historic dynamics of social evolution. The article explores obstacles and catalysts for the formation of a world state. Critical global challenges put notions of national sovereignty into question. Images of Earth from space represent a new cosmic perspective. Questions touched upon include what defines a nation and its people? How is individual and collective identity constituted? On what principles would a global polity need to be based on from a planetary view?