NationStates Jolt Archive

Should the Principality of Sealand and other aspiring micronations be recognized as nations?

Sealand: http://www.sealandgov.com/
Hutt River Province: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hutt_River_Province

Should the Principality of Sealand and other aspiring micronations be recognized as nations?

I don't see why not. It's not like we have anything to lose by recognising them.

EDIT: I'd like to elaborate on my opinions a little...I really like the idea that I could join a group of like minded individuals, find some unoccupied land and start a new nation.

I'm less sure about micronations which have seceded from existing nations, but I would recognise their independance given the right circumstances.

Absolutely. But then, I'm planning to declare my dorm room independent this fall, so I could be biased.

There is, and can be, no compulsion in recognition. Indeed, is it necessary to recognize those 'vanity countries'?

Against.

According to Wilson's 14 Points which seems to, even 90 years later, dominate much world politics, we should recognize self-determination. If they own the land, why not.

no reason why they shouldnt be recognised, its not goin to change anything is it

After the Hutt River Province was created, the Australian government closed the legal loophole.

Too late to start own little nation now ... :(

According to Wilson's 14 Points which seems to, even 90 years later, dominate much world politics, we should recognize self-determination. If they own the land, why not.


Because we can be mean. Its fun making 'free people' suffer!
But seriously, apart from the most obvious-allowing the right to self determination why should they get recognised!

Too late to start own little nation now ... :(

Hey, I'm sure there's some nice unoccupied islands out there.

Hey, I'm sure there's some nice unoccupied islands out there.

I could BUY an island, that's an idea. They are some for sale, except I need to win lotto first :D

I could BUY an island, that's an idea. They are some for sale, except I need to win lotto first :D

Find somewhere with a nice climate and I might chip in with a few hundred pounds. I want a knighthood, though. :)

Or you could find some close-to-the-surface seamount in international waters, park a drilling platform on top of it, and make an island.

Of course, unless your artificial island has oil or some other valuable commodity underneath it, you won't have much in the way of an economy. I suppose you could go into international money laundering, but it would be hard to offer better terms than the Caymans.

Find somewhere with a nice climate and I might chip in with a few hundred pounds. I want a knighthood, though. :)

Just sign me up for a donation and a plot of land

A timely thread - anyone reading this is Britain should be sure to tune into Danny Wallace's 'How To Start Your Own Country', which is on BBC2 this evening.

Too late to start own little nation now ... :(

Oh yeah? I officially declare the establishment of the Melbourne Commune. :p

They should, but they won't. Not when taxes can be made off of them somehow.

And even if they are recognized, someone will eventually invade them for practice. It's what big countries do.

I shall establish the Super-Cool Kingdom of Coolness. In my backyard.
Once I have everything set up, I will pay a %100 income tax. To myself.

A timely thread - anyone reading this is Britain should be sure to tune into Danny Wallace's 'How To Start Your Own Country', which is on BBC2 this evening.

Well, it was a thread on that show (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=435646) that prompted the question.

And since at least some posters don't seem to be aware of the origins of Sealand in particular and haven't bothered to read the links about it (at least that appears to be the case from certain posts), I'll expound.

Sealand was an abandoned WWII era Maunsell Sea Fort (http://www.ecastles.co.uk/armyforts.html) (anti-aircraft platforms built in the middle of the English Channel from barges). It is in international waters.
On September 2, 1967, the fort was occupied by Paddy Roy Bates, who claims it it an independent nation. (See the links in the OP for details.)

Or you could find some close-to-the-surface seamount in international waters, park a drilling platform on top of it, and make an island.

Sadly not true. Such practice is now outlawed by international Law (see - I have read the Sealand background). Sealand gets round it because it's a sunken ship, not an artificial island. Britain still owns the land on which it is situated.