The Inequality of Passports and the Future of Mobility

Passports have evolved to create a mobility gap, with some granting more travel opportunities than others. The disparity between 'good' and 'bad' passports is reflected in indexes ranking visa-free travel. The UAE holds the top spot, enabling visa-free travel to 180 countries, while countries like Afghanistan have access to only around 40. The role of passports is crucial in global refugee crises and surveillance eras. Artists like Ai Weiwei showcase the inequality through works like 'Human Flow'. The concept of radical hospitality, challenging traditional passport rituals, highlights the tension between security and mobility. Passports have advanced technologically with fingerprint and facial scans, hinting at a shift towards digital formats. Despite potential changes, passports will remain a focal point for geopoli...ごtics, balancing hospitality, security, and state sovereignty, shaping who belongs and who is considered foreign.