Appadurai

I enjoyed reading the part about how the existence of nation-states through the centuries created vertebrate systems and how the development of advanced communications and IT networks have now led to the creation of cellular networks. But despite evidence to the contrary, I do wonder if nation states will exist in another couple of centuries, providing the backbone for commerce that they have done so far. The creation of the European Union, and its potential to become the economic rival of China in the years to come suggest this. Individual European nations realized the need to merge their trading regulations with a larger body, virtually dissolving their own independent ones....and in effect, also sacrificed a part of their national identity to be globally competitive.

How long before all countries merge into regions? And how will this affect globalization going forward?