A decentralized world
Ever since the Second World War the Western world especially has created a world of control. The more information was available about production processes, consumer needs (or is it wants?), bottlenecks in the networks, etc. the better it seemed to be. It allowed us to organize our world in the most efficient ways imaginable. Or so it seemed. The decentralization and transparency created a world that seemed to grow more complex everyday, although that might just be perception. The availability of information created a shift in power on every level (producer-consumer, government-citizen, teacher-student, core-periphery). Why? Because we could now see what somebody else has, pays, or gets. We are now in power.

On the level of nation-states it has created an interesting dynamic. Today it is much more visible for everybody what regions are wealthy or are in unique geographical positions. Some of these regions see more opportunities to be independent. In the regions that are not merely united on economical terms, but also on cultural terms, the drive to become independent is ever more present. Kosovo for one might have started a transformation that will sweep over the world.

The domino-effect
It is not just the possibility to be ’self sustaining’ to a certain extend that allows for these regions to want to be independent from their original countries. Throughout the world a mentality has to arise for it to succeed. Without any international backing these regions are doomed in their fate. Until recently, it seemed unlikely for such a mentality to occur on a large scale. And although every region has to be judged separately, the recent move of the Russian government to accept the independence of the two regions in Georgia, proves that global dynamics can change quick and create new opportunities for more and more smaller regions.

The first stone has been cast and most likely the domino-effect is already happening. Can it be stopped? Not as easily as one might think. The decentralization of our world has only just started. Keep your eye out for other regions in the Kaukasus, China, and maybe even the United States…?