Futurology The Death Knell of the Nation-State (with Rana Dasgupta and Jonathan Blake)
Aug 5, 2025
Rana Dasgupta, a writer investigating the fading liberal order, teams up with Jonathan Blake, a political scientist focused on global governance, to discuss the unraveling of the nation-state. They delve into how national identity is evolving amidst climate change and digital connectivity. The duo explores the historical ties between state and religion, the necessity of adaptable governance structures, and the potential for transnational identities to promote global harmony. Their conversation is a thought-provoking reflection on belonging in a chaotic world.
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A Life Lived Between States
- Rana Dasgupta describes living across the UK, US, India, and France and feeling like an outsider everywhere.
- He left his passport country, the UK, and found partial belonging elsewhere while remaining rootless in some ways.
State Has Theological Roots
- Rana Dasgupta says modern states borrowed religious authority to legitimize sovereignty and organize loyalty.
- He argues the Enlightenment reformed rather than erased those medieval energies, leaving God 'above the state.'
The State's Broken Sacred Bargain
- Rana Dasgupta argues Western citizens experience state retreat as a spiritual betrayal, not merely an economic shock.
- He says the 20th-century 'mortal god' promise of earthly salvation has been shattered for many.
