The billionaires' utopia blueprint

Written in 1516, 'Utopia' by Sir Thomas More is a seminal work of fiction that presents an ideal society on a fictional island. The book is divided into two parts: the first critiques the social and economic issues of early 16th-century England, while the second introduces the Utopian society as a potential solution. Utopia is characterized by communal property, no class distinctions or poverty, little crime, religious freedom, and a strict egalitarian system. More uses this imaginary society to highlight the flaws of European politics and society of his time, advocating for a more just and equal world. The work is notable for its influence on later socialist and communist thought and continues to be a subject of discussion in political theory and philosophy.

The Hidden Globe by Atossa Araxia Abrahamian traces the rise of a hidden world of special economic zones, free trade zones, flags of convenience, offshore detention centers, and charter cities controlled by foreign corporations. This countergeography, which dates back to thirteenth-century Switzerland, has evolved to include even outer space. Abrahamian's work reveals how these zones, often termed 'legal fictions,' blur national and economic boundaries, increasing global inequalities and favoring the 1 percent. The book is a well-researched, engrossing exploration of how privilege protects itself through complex mechanisms involving finance, law, and technology.