Thursday, January 26, 2012

 What is a Micro Nation?

A micro nation can actually be referred to as new country project or a model country. The definition of a micro nation is thus rendered: "An entity that resembles a nation or a state, but which for the most part exists only on paper, on the Internet, or in the mind of its creator."

Also referred to as:

"Model countries and new country projects -- are entities that claim to be independent nations or states but which are unrecognized by world governments or major international organizations."

Different reasons exist why micro nations are created some being extremely serious whereas others are as a result of a hobby. There are however very genuine micro nations which are made of an entire community or tribe. These small entities almost always exist as replicas of real nations as opposed to existing states. We can therefore say that these are small nations with a small geographical area as well as populations.

The term micro nation can also be used synonymously with the term Fifth nation which also refers to social identity groups. Compared to micronations are macronations which are significantly larger and enjoy some territorial recognition and these are referred to as Fourth world nations. You will find many secessionist or self determination groups counted among macronations.

It is also very easy to confuse micronations with those tiny nations that are recognized legitimately. These geographically small counties include countries such as Monaco, Fiji and San Marino. Micronations should not be confused with legitimately recognized, but geographically tiny nations such as Fiji, Monaco, and San Marino, for which the term microstate is more accurate and descriptive.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Finding Space for Your New Country

Of course the ordinary thinker will start contemplating where to find land to start a new political state because according to them all the land the world over has been occupied. Since all land appears to have been taken over any existing country will fight tooth and nail to keep their existing land. Not so for those who are intent on changing the nature of things – there many who have gone as far as declaring any little property they own and independent country.

You will of course have to deal with plenty of challenges on the way in order to make their dreams reality. People will declare private lands, apartments or even some tiny island a new country. You may have to also work hard to convince the jurisdiction from which you are operating that you just need to secede. Many people have created micro nations from artificial islands on any place on the planet or perhaps some floating ship anchored somewhere in international waters. Since such people are generally risk takers they will not worry that there entity may not be recognized by any other state.

How then will work in order to convince a few people you are not out of your mind so that they get to join you in the new country so that it becomes viable? Any republic will need a running government, security forces and not forgetting a system that will ensure the required provisions get to the population. Apart from cultivating the ability to produce enough to satisfy your regime's need, you will need to have an import and expert system which means such a country will need citizen with some income generation activities.

A great deal of thinking will also have gone to creating social systems such as schools, hospitals and many other social amenities or else your people will have to travel abroad to look for the same. Other systems that will need to be in place include police and court systems, infrastructure to do with electricity distribution, water and sewage services, a transport system as well as telephone and other communication services. When people think about these major challenges they almost always give up on the idea of creating a new state.

Even with all those complications, a few people have gone right ahead and founded micro nations, some of which have survived for quite an amount of time. There are those that tried and survived briefly only to shut down by invading bigger neighbors yet others have gone on to survive. There are all reasons why micro nations come up and similarly why some do not get to survive.

Apparently, where there is no land, there are those micro nations that survive only on the internet, this could be as a result of having some comic or artistic reasons, looking for publicity or even a political protest of sorts. You must have heard about virtual real estate where people live in imaginary countries and they survive in a lot of role playing. Whether you are looking at a virtual or real micro nation, this craze satisfies the desire by many people to live a better life, or perhaps one where you live according to your deepest desires and dreams. It may appear that sooner rather than later we will actually be talking about Nanonations.

Mohammad Bahareth

Author

Jeddah

+966550559876

First Url: BUY THE BOOK