July 19, 2005

Conquerous George Okay, so I've decided to take over my back garden and declare it as an independent state. I haven't decided on the name yet; Finnegestan, maybe, or Piss Off. Anyhoo, I was wondering how I'd go about getting my country internationally recognised. I want the whole shebang: tea with Chirac, talks late into the night about drilling rights, discussion about the fishing boundaries in that little pond at the end. Is there someone I need to talk to about this? Some list I need to add my name onto? How do I go about joining the UN? And do I get any additional rights in England as a sovereign of another country, should I decide to sometimes leave mine to get some groceries or something?
posted by Blaise Bailey Finnegan 18 years ago
  • you mean, like sealand?
  • Well, they made a pretty good start, I guess.
  • I've always been interested in this. I think the reason sealand is able to keep on going is because they're out in international waters and the british aren't really interested in what they have. Hakim Bey's essay on temporary autonomous zones could be helpful, it would seem after some googling that the Montevideo Convention provides the primary international standard for statehood.
  • Wikipedia has some decent info in micronations.
  • How to Start Your Own Micronation [warning: geocities] micronations.net Unrecognised States Numismatic Society [ Specialising in the study of coins, medallic pieces, banknotes and related numismatic, pseudonumismatic and exonumismatic material issued by unrecognised states etc.]
  • Monkeynation? (this applies to a regular #mofirc topic, that is, buying a Monkey Island or Monkey Village)
  • Good God Finnegan man! Get a grip! As an Englishman you home (which includes your extensive parkland and associated sheds) is already your castle. What possible reason could there be for rejecting the beneficence of your Sovereign Monarch Brenda? I suggest a cold bath and no more of this treasonous nonsense.
  • Interesting timing. I was just reading an article on Gregory Green in the Globe today. On paper, not on the web, but I see that it's elsewhere via AP.
  • Let's not forget Lambeth, which is a Nuclear Free Zone in the heart of London.
  • One way would be some sort of unilateral independence declaration - but that always turns out badly. I would recommend a nice letter to the Foreign Office instead. If you're a taxpayer, the formalities may take some time, but if you're on the dole you'll probably find they are even keener on the idea than you are - they may ask if you can grant citizenship to a few asylum seekers while you're at it. I recommend you go for a transitional leaseback arrangement. This means that HMG formally recognises your sovereignty, but retains de facto administration for a period of time (say 25 years?), in recognition of which they pay over a regular rent while continuing to underwrite local services, etc. You may have to accept a bicameral elected government, independent trade unions, and freedom of religion. It might be nice if you made English the official language - no pressure, of course.
  • I think there used to be a form - FCO/NI/4588C? It might be on-line these days.
  • The socialist republic of South Yorkshire points the way forward, as it's former leader David Blunkett has forged quite a promising career in his host county's politics ...
  • I've always admired the short-lived but ambitious 4-bedroom country known as Petoria.
  • Dirtdirtsylvania hereby officially recongizes the soveriegnity of Finnegestan, and hopes to have a permanent trade and cultural exhange treaty hammered out by the end of next year.
  • Great. Just what the world needs: two new petty dictatorships.
  • So, so, wait, wait and whoah - I can start my own country, and England has to pay me rent? This is looking better all the time. You think my Post Office will have a FCO/NI/4588C in?
  • You'll need a couple of passport-sized photos, I believe. I think for the 4588C rules leaseback it helps to be a fascist dictatorship, but what the hell, give it a try. Oh, and do think seriously about joining the Commonwealth, won't you? To be honest, the government doesn't give a monkey's, but it would please her maj. And it annoys the frogs, because the Commonwealth has much better parties than their feeble Francophonie thing.
  • Here's one model of a very modern major-general's attempt to accomplish sovereignty. Of course, his dream was slightly more ambitious than yours. In my home town, Chicago, tales were told of another "emperor" Cap Streeter who "discovered" land in Lake Michigan. Where Streeterville was now is part of the Gold Coast in Chicago, one of the toniest parts of town. My advice to you, BBF, is to act at all times in the manner of Norton or Streeter. Insist on your claim! Who is to argue with a King?
  • The Government of the Twelfth Fornax Discombobulate presents its compliments to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Finnegestan, and has the honor to refer to the Declaration of Intended Independence of the Republic of Finnegestan of 19 July 2005. Being desirous to enter into spiteful belligerencies with the Republic of Finnegestan as soon as possible, the Twelfth Fornax Discombobulate hereby gives notice of its intention to invade, laser-fy, zap-gun and generally quark-torpedo the territorial lands of the Republic of Finnegestan as soon as we can get out fucking spaceship working again. The Bow to your tentacled alien overlords, puny Earth-person(s). HAIL TO THE ZUTOR OF RIGEL VII! The Government of the Twelfth Fornax Discombobulate takes this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Finnegestan the assurances of its highest consideration.
  • I would put you on to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Nastiness, but she's out putting the washing up at the moment. I would, however, beg the quidnunc kid to reconsider. He must understand that our Houses of Parliament/Fortress of Doom (doom doom) covers fully half our claimed land, and we are developing highly advanced weapons using experimental elastic band/drawing pin technology. The Republic of Finnegestan is a peace-loving (potential) nation and hates to see bloodshed of any kind, even if it is alien, green and icky.
  • The Government of the Thirteenth Fornax Discombobulate presents its compliments to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Finnegestan, and has the honor to refer to the latest comment of the Republic of Finnegestan of 20 July 2005. Due to an unforeseen revolution in our galactic quandrant and the untimely assassination of the Zutor of Rigel VII, we must apologetically postpone our invasion of your homeland. Also, our neutrino inverter is broken, and we were wondering if you have any spare positrons you could lend us? HAIL TO THE SUPREME REVOLUTIONARY COUNCIL OF ALDEBARAN XXV-b! The Government of the Thirteenth Fornax Discombobulate takes this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Finnegestan the assurances of its highest consideration.