Atossa Araxia Abrahamian on Freeports, Free Zones, and The Hidden Globe

Atossa Araxia Abrahamian on Freeports, Free Zones, and The Hidden Globe

Author: Mark Lutter December 19, 2024 Duration: 1:07:40

In this conversation, Atossa discusses her book 'The Hidden Globe,' which explores the complexities of special economic zones and the unconventional legal systems that exist outside traditional nation-states. She reflects on her upbringing in Geneva, Switzerland, and how it shaped her understanding of sovereignty and international law. The discussion delves into the evolution of citizenship by investment, the implications of offshoring asylum seekers, and the rise of a digital nomad class that challenges traditional notions of belonging and social contracts. In this conversation, Atossa and Mark delve into the complexities of immigration, the dynamics of migrant labor in Saudi Arabia, the challenges of governance in conflict zones, and the future of charter cities. They explore the motivations behind migration, the implications of statelessness, and the evolving nature of sovereignty in regions experiencing instability. The discussion also touches on the potential and pitfalls of charter cities as a solution to governance issues in developing countries.


Imagine a new city, built from the ground up with a unique set of rules designed to foster innovation, economic growth, and a better quality of life. This isn't just a thought experiment; it's the concept of a charter city, and it's the central focus of the Charter Cities Podcast. Hosted by Mark Lutter, these conversations dig into the practical and philosophical questions surrounding these ambitious urban projects. How might they address pressing global issues like rapid urbanization, entrenched poverty, and the complex dynamics of migration? To find answers, Lutter sits down with a diverse array of thinkers and practitioners. You'll hear from specialists in international development, urban planners, investors, entrepreneurs, and governance experts, each bringing a crucial piece of the puzzle. The discussions are grounded and detailed, moving beyond theory to examine the real-world mechanics of financing, building, and governing new cities. This podcast doesn't offer simple solutions, but rather provides a nuanced exploration of a bold idea for human organization. It's for anyone curious about the future of cities, the intersection of policy and innovation, or the structures that shape our collective lives. Through these in-depth interviews, the Charter Cities Podcast builds a comprehensive understanding of a concept that could redefine how communities are built in the coming century.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Charter Cities Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Freedom Cities Podcast - Episode 7: Alex Voss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:01
In Episode 7 of the Freedom Cities Podcast, Mark Lutter sits down with Alex Voss, CFO of Tipolis, a company pioneering the development of new cities around the world based on private governance models. Alex shares his jo…
Siaka Stevens on Building Sherbro Island City [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:14
In Episode 74 of the Charter Cities Podcast, host Mark Lutter speaks with Siaka Stevens, co-founder of Sherbro Alliance Partners and the visionary behind Sherbro Island City in Sierra Leone. With the recent ratification…
Freedom Cities Podcast - Episode 6: David Ernst [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:09
In this episode of the Freedom Cities Podcast, we speak with David Ernst, founder of Secure Internet Voting, about the urgent need for innovation in democratic systems. David argues that while voting is foundational to d…
Michael Muthukrishna on Cultural Evolution and the Human Advantage [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:59:30
In this episode of the Charter Cities Podcast, Mark speaks with Michael Muthukrishna, Associate Professor of Economic Psychology at LSE, about how cultural evolution explains the rise of human civilization. They explore…
Freedom Cities Podcast - Episode 4: Patri Friedman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:24
In this episode of the Freedom Cities Podcast, Mark Lutter is joined by Patri Friedman, a pioneer in the new cities movement. As the founder of the Seasteading Institute and Managing Partner at Pronomos Capital, Patri ha…
Freedom Cities Podcast - Episode 3: Isaiah Taylor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:49
Isaiah Taylor, CEO and Founder of Valar Atomics, joins the Freedom Cities Podcast to discuss their game-changing advancements in nuclear energy. Learn about their $19 million seed round, their first reactor project in th…
Freedom Cities Podcast - Episode 2: Edward Pinto [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:46
In this episode of the Freedom Cities Podcast, Edward Pinto discusses his work at the American Enterprise Institute Housing Center, focusing on the housing supply crisis and potential solutions. He emphasizes the importa…
Freedom Cities Podcast - Episode 1: Joshua Abbotoy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:26
Welcome to the Freedom Cities Podcast, a short-form series by the Charter Cities Institute & the Frontier Foundation. In each episode, we sit down with innovators, entrepreneurs & thought leaders to explore how Freedom C…