Capital of the World

[Neonanocyborgasm]

The thread about where a European political capital should be located got me thinking. . .

If the world ever forms a federal government, where should its capital be located? Right now, I suppose the world's capital should be considered as New York City, that being the headquarters of the UN and the center of world trade. Should we keep it that way? Pick a new city? Make a new city? Defeat the idea of a capital by having representatives teleconference with each other? What say you?

If the future worldstate is not based (exclusively) on conquest, then the capitol would have to be in a planned city; one that doesn't exist but would be built for the sole reason of being the capitol. This would remove any doubt that one nation or power is the ruler of the world. Just for extra measure, it could even be build offshore, just so that it couldn't be said to be within the borders of any one nation.

Washington was a planned capitol. Brasilia was a planned capitol.

 

[Warman17]

Santa's Workshop. The world governemnt could keep an eye on everyone from there.

 

[Taliesin]

The natural compromise between Geneva and NYC: Toronto, New York run by the Swiss.

 

[Margim]

Build a new city somewhere in Asia, where there is some space for developement, 'western' countries don't have a monopoly on all the say, and is enough distanced from the current megapolises that we remember that lots of people and tall buildings don't actually necessarily make a good city.

 

[Louis XXIV]

Dead Last) Camden, NJ, USA

What about Chester?

If I picked historically significant places, Istanbul, Paris, Vienna, London, or New York would work well. I think we could also try a neutral site, so as not to favor anyone. I would suggest a geographic center, but the world is round I think some place in Switzerland (built specifically for the world government) would make the most sense, although it suggest a very pro-European location. Another choice would be somewhere in Africa or the Middle East or even some island.

 

[Moff Jerjerrod]

If we are going to choose historical cities then we should choose Istanbul.QUOTE]

Why?

 

[Louis XXIV]

I suppose Istanbul's historical significance mostly goes back to when it was Constaninople and the capital of Eastern Rome.

 

[Drewcifer]

One big problem with putting a world capital in a large or historic city is that there isn't a lot of undeveloped land left so building it could be quite expensive and perhaps destructive. I think the best options would be to build a new one from scratch or to find a capital center that is already built but not being used. It would probably be cheaper to use one that has already been built. Presumably the former national capitals would still be major administrative centers so I think they are probably out of the question. Right now the US has two Dakotas with two capitals where there is really only a need for one. We could consolidate north and south, make Pierre the state capital and donate Bismarck to the world.

 

[Colonel]

Why not put it in Vienna where most of the treaties in the past fifty years have been signed.

 

[Arminius]

Take dirt from every country in the world and create an island on the International Date Line. On that island build an administrative complex for the new government to work from.

 

[Malba]

New York City, where everybody can be represented. The actual capital can be built on the west side, where they want to build the Jets stadium.

 

[Zarn]

New York City, where everybody can be represented. The actual capital can be built on the west side, where they want to build the Jets stadium.

My dad would love that idea. Going to games in north New Jersey is quicker and easier than going to New York. If the Jets can't build there, he would be very happy.

 

[classical_hero]

Why don't we have it in a city that is isolated? I would say Perth.

 

[MaisseArsouye]

1) Alexandria
2) Athens
3) Roma

 

[IglooDame]

Take dirt from every country in the world and create an island on the International Date Line. On that island build an administrative complex for the new government to work from.

And if you want to get GoldenShellback-ish, put it at the intersection of the IDL and the equator.

Given that that region doesn't commonly see hurricanes/typhoons, you could start with a well-anchored floating island while you put the fill on the seabed...

 

[Princeps]

Nokia

Yep, its a town in Finland...

 

[Gelion]

Geneva..... those who know.....understand

 

[Masquerouge]

Man, let's ressurect BABYLON !
That would be so cool.
Plus it would be a big economical boost for Iraq.
Either that, or make it a floating city on a ship, like someone else said. That way everybody will agree.

 

[Riesstiu IV]

Babylon is rich with well preserved ruins and a fairly good archeological record. Building a modern city on or around it would be disastrous. The surrounding regions are fully of undiscovered artifacts and treasure, think of what would happen if someone brought in equipment to dig a foundation… they might destroy important records! Just look what happened to Tenochtitlan after the Spanish built Mexico City, almost nothing is left.

 

[Desmond Hawkins]

Build one under the sea! Like Stargate Atlantis... (Just saw the show for the first time and it is freaking awesome)