The Sunset of the National Idea

   It is well known that nation-states began to emerge in the 17th and 18th centuries. Before that, there were empires, kingdoms, principalities, city-states, and so on. There were even religious states. Today, the reasons for the emergence of nation-states are not as important as the fact that the flowering of Western culture occurred precisely in the nation-states of Europe. The whole world lives in the shadow of this very Western culture.
   Modern world technological and economic development undoubtedly leads to a decrease in the role of nation-states and, eventually, to their disappearance. Economic regions and global linguistic-cultural conglomerates will take their place. These conglomerates are most likely to become China, India, South America, the Arab-Muslim, and of course, the English-speaking conglomerate.
   The European Union emerged as such a conglomerate, but is most likely to merge into the English-speaking conglomerate. Each of them will unite from one to two billion inhabitants of the planet.
   Interestingly, Russia is clearly trying, without joining anyone, to create its own phenomenon - the "Russian World." It still has time. And although the numerical composition is small, the area is huge.
   A few words about Ukraine. It began to create its own nation-state somewhat untimely. It again has time, but designating Ukrainian as the only state language when the language of communication for the majority of residents was Russian was a mad challenge to common sense.
   And most importantly, it will still be necessary to join someone.