EMPIRE ME!

As the process of globalisation advances, hundreds of do-it-yourself states are creating their own little world: micronations, eco-villages and seceded states. A road movie on land, at sea, and in our minds.

The idea of utopia, of a better life in an earthly paradise, is a dream mankind has long imagined in many variations – for example, reigning as a king on our own island once in our lifetime. But the rigid principles of the globalised world permit few alternatives and visions. However, one phenomenon finally puts an end to this: the creation of counter worlds. In search of an ideal lifestyle, hundreds of do-it-yourself entities build their own little microcosms. Micronations, eco-villages and secessionists are creating an alternative way of living together, with real territories and communities. Over 500 have been invented since the late 90s, some barely bigger than a sheep farm, a sea platform, or a laptop. Thousands of free spirits thus battle against the new world order. They annex whole regions and districts. They create their own laws, languages, stamps and banknotes. The populations range from 1 to 500,000, and come from different strata and have different ideologies. With ‘Empire Me’, the author Paul Poet, himself a veteran of alternative networks and social experiments, encounters six of these counter worlds which represent the movement at its best.