Quick Read. Political authority can be moved by law. Commercial centrality usually cannot. Firms, ports, labour markets, universities, culture and infrastructure carry accumulated network effects that may survive a capital relocation for generations.
Three clear cases
- Ankara carries Türkiye’s political command while Istanbul remains the larger global-commercial metropolis.
- Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte carries legislative capital functions while Colombo remains Sri Lanka’s principal commercial city and port.
- Naypyidaw carries Myanmar’s central administrative function while Yangon retains much older commercial and metropolitan network depth.
Why relocation does not reset the graph
A decree can move ministries. It does not instantly move supplier networks, housing stock, ports, social ties, universities, brand recognition or accumulated private investment. Political and commercial centrality therefore need separate state variables.
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