Imagine there's no countries

August 2024

Imagine there are no countries. Some readers may remember this line from John Lennon's famous song Imagine. In the face of rising nationalism, it might be worth imagining a world without countries as a powerful positive vision to offer as an alternative to the reorientation towards nationalism and tribalism.

Let us tune in with the full second verse of the song:

Imagine there's no countries // It isn't hard to do // Nothing to kill or die for // And no religion too // Imagine all the people // Living life in peace

Post-nationalism

Imagining a world without countries leads us to the idea of post-nationalism. It challenges traditional notions of nation states, sovereignty and national identities. At the same time, it inspires the creation and strengthening of supranational organisations, international treaties and global initiatives. It fits in with the efforts of various international bodies, non-governmental organisations and activist groups to promote global cooperation and address issues that affect humanity as a whole.