⚡2023 Network Societies Landscape

At Illuminated, we explore how network-based communities are redefining the way we live, govern, and connect. Guided by our Chief Architect, we’ve developed a framework to classify these emerging models and understand their impact.

Three Core Categories

Our research identifies three primary groups shaping this landscape: Startup Societies, Smart Governments, and Government as a Service. Each represents a distinct approach to organizing and governing communities across physical, maritime, and digital spaces, driving innovation in unique ways.

1. Startup Societies: Redefining Real Estate and Urban Life

Startup Societies are community-led or founder-led projects that are pioneering new ways of living and building community, often with a vision for long-term physical spaces and even diplomatic recognition. These societies embrace both traditional and digital realms, innovating across real estate, sea-based living, and virtual spaces. Within Startup Societies, we identify three main sub-categories:

• Land-Based Societies: These include Startup Cities, Satellite Cities, and Co-living communities—physical urban projects that reflect specific values and visions.

• Sea-Based Societies: Through Seasteading, these societies innovate on the ocean, developing self-sustained communities that expand habitable space to the sea.

• Metaverse Societies: Meta Cities represent entirely digital societies within virtual worlds, fostering immersive social and economic interactions that bridge the real and digital realms.

2. Smart Governments: Technology-Driven Governance for Enhanced Public Services

Smart Governments represent a new wave of government-backed projects that leverage advanced technologies to enhance public services and infrastructure. These initiatives aim to improve the quality of life for citizens through data-driven, tech-enabled governance. We see Smart Governments emerging across various spaces:

• Land-Based Smart Cities & Micronations: Tech-driven urban centers prioritizing efficiency and sustainability.

• Seasteading: Organized, innovative communities at sea.

• Metaverse Societies: Virtual cities enable governance, urban planning, and service delivery in immersive virtual spaces

3. Government as a Service: Modular Tools for Building Network Societies

Government as a Service (GaaS) is a new model that provides plug-and-play tools to help build and manage network societies. These governance solutions offer flexible, modular services that any community can adopt to create structures tailored to their unique needs. GaaS facilitates communities to define and customize their governance, enhancing autonomy and innovation in how societies operate.

Illuminated defines Cloud Countries in three groups, showcasing diverse approaches to future governance and community-building. We aim to track their evolution and connect digital and physical worlds for thriving communities. Here’s a quick look at the landscape:

Want to collaborate? Join other Cloud Countries and IDs on this journey with us. Feel free to reach out to us below.

We’re excited to get started! Follow us on Twitter and catch all the latest updates.

Your Busy Architect,
Illuminated