valuable flows of finance, technology, knowledge, and talent.”26 Through data sets
and mapping, Khanna effectively illustrates that people and companies are bypassing the artificial but traditional nation-state, provincial, and state boundaries to communicate and
conduct business – creating megacities as the new economic geography defining the globe.27
In Move, Khanna argues that “mobility is destiny;” and by consequence geography – human geography – “is what we make of it.”28 In supporting these claims, Khanna argues the reason human geography matters so much today is “because our species is in for a rough ride, and we can no longer take for granted a stable relationship between our geographic layers such as nature (where the water, energy, mineral, and food resources are), politics (where territorial borders are that demarcate states), and economics (where the infrastructure and industries are located).”29 And he argues “the world of tomorrow is not only full of mobile people but is defined by the mobility of everything.” And again, through data sets and mapping, Khanna illustrates both existing and anticipated mass migrations due to climate change, political oppression, and general violence.30
Taken together, a reasonable person can assume increasing clashes of culture will occur. As populations move away from heat and rising water, and from violence and political oppression, people will be on the move – most particularly to places where they can pursue livelihoods that allow them experience freedom. Moreover, as these people move, they will bring with them the skills they have obtained to find work or start businesses and the cultural values with which they are familiar. Issues will undoubtably arise around the rights of these
people, not only regarding their right to make a living but to live in ways they choose. This is why mobility is such a big deal, and why it goes to our basic understanding of freedom. If we are
not able to move physically, or think independently, we are not free to be happy. It is why the Founding Fathers set forth three inalienable rights: life – the right to exist physically in any given space, liberty – the right to think and speak individually and independently, and the pursuit of happiness – the right not to just pursue goods as Locke would have it but to find fulfillment as an independent character of moral standing.
The implication is systems of governance must thus re-engage conversations of the past to critically assess the present. A key component of any democracy is the ability of its citizens not only to comprehend the complex system of myth and symbol that accompany institutional structures, but also to articulate their particular convictions in light of such an institutional arrangement. If institutions are structured upon a foundation essentially of the same character as the individuals themselves, it will be possible for people and institutions to work together, one building upon the other.
Thus, the more immediate implication for governments and businesses is how to build frameworks of governance that accept such people and allow them the economic opportunity to realize their dreams. This will
require both supportive as well as protective engagements.
But there also needs to be a recognition of
A better mid-term strategy would build upon creating a greater sense of community, which itself can only be achieved when people learn again how to trust one another. It all centers on better listening and communication.
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