The idea of the nation state only emerged around the 15th or 16th Centuries and came of age in Elizabethan times owing to the ability of governments to keep effective standing armies. There is nothing magical about them, and, indeed, they caused a host of useless wars. Italy still seems like a collection of city states.

In the latest issue of the British “Prospect” magazine it is suggested that the nation state has had its day. It has become too complicated, too expensive and too muscle-bound. The future lies in the big conurbations like London, New York and other big cities. Run by mayors, they are quicker on their feet, can raise money faster, respond to local demand more effectively and respond to leadership. If you are distressed about mentally ill people living on the street in extreme cold then the mayor can, if he wishes, do something about it. National governments might have done something about it, but often have failed to do so.

This blog attempts to frame Epicureanism in a modern context and discuss what Epicurus might suggest, were he alive today. “Ah,” he might say, the old city state writ large!”. Since a rising proportion of the world population is now living in big cities the city state might be a living solution. But in Ancient Greece they still squabbled amongst themselves. How would the city state prevent stupid wars? Maybe they would just be on a smaller scale?