This book asks some of the big questions of our time, above all the effect of technological change on social order and international relations. This ambitious and original study provides some of the answers, although it argues that we are only at the beginning of a period of fundamental and accelerating change to accustomed patterns of state-society relations, economics, geopolitics and, ultimately on citizenship and political order. Written from a 'global' perspective, this erudite and engaging work is essential reading for anyone interested in the future of humanity.