DOCSLIB.ORG

Micronation Managers, Curriculum Links & Extension Activities

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Micronation Managers, Curriculum Links & Extension Activities MICRONATION MANAGERS EXTENSION ACTIVITIES WEEK 1: What is a Micronation? This week we introduced the idea of Micronations which are defined as “small, self-proclaimed entities that claim to be independent sovereign states but which are not acknowledged as such by any recognised sovereign state.” We looked at 2 case studies of famous Micronations and explored the requirements for becoming a Micronation. Extension Activities 1. Revisit the case studies Watch the videos below about two famous Micronations – Republic of Molossia and Sealand. Republic of Molossia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2bJXGX8-dM Sealand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8ftMZg4UpU 2. Explore the requirements for being a Micronation Requirements You must have a defined territory. You must have a permanent population. You must have a government. Your government must be capable of interacting with other states. Recognition Just because you’ve met the qualifications and declared yourself independent doesn’t mean that you’re going to be taken seriously. There’s not much point in having your own country unless other countries acknowledge your existence. International recognition is what gives a country legitimacy in the international community. Naturally, though, the established countries are going to take some convincing. Recognition is quite complicated because it combines international law and international politics. Discuss how different countries were created. Did they have to meet these requirements to become a country too? 3. Learn about Liberland Watch this short documentary about Liberland. Liberland is a Micronation that is currently genuinely seeking recognition and status as a real country. It’s quite political, but interesting: Liberland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ThOKbapt20 Here is Liberland’s website. https://liberland.org/en/about They are taking their bid for recognition as a country very seriously. You could read some more about Liberland and discuss their situation. Do you think they deserve recognition? How does technology affect recognition in today’s world? Do you think more Micronations will continue to spring up – why or why not? WEEK 2: Culture and Values This week we explored the idea of culture and values. We defined culture as the social behaviour and norms found in human societies. Culture is considered a central concept in anthropology, encompassing the range of phenomena that are transmitted through social learning in human societies. Cultural universals are found in all human societies; these include expressive forms like art,music, dance, ritual, religion, and technologies like tool usage, cooking, shelter, and clothing. The concept of material culture covers the physical expressions of culture, such as technology, architecture and art, whereas the immaterial aspects of culture such as principles of social and political organisation, mythology, philosophy, literature traditions, and science comprise the intangible cultural heritage of a society. We defined values as the fundamental beliefs of a person or organization. These guiding principles dictate behaviour and can help people understand the difference between right and wrong. Values dictate how life should be lived and what’s most important to a person. Extension Activities 1. Learn more about culture and values This is a good summary video about culture and values: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzaeRBUencA We watched a bit of this more in-depth video in class but you might like to watch the whole thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGrVhM_Gi8k&t=6s This is another good video on culture that extends on from the video above: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV50AV7-Iwc&t=2s 2. Learn about Conch Republic We watched a case study on the Conch Republic and discussed why they seceded from the United States and what their values are. Discuss the difference between Micronations like Liberland who are genuinely trying to secede and be recognised as a country and Conch Republic whose ‘secession’ was very much tongue-in-cheek in order to make a point. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RACnN0izfBk 3. Learn about why Micronations choose to secede from their national country Discuss – if you were to create your own country what would be a reason for you to secede? Look at some other examples of Micronations and why they seceded. Make a list of the main reasons that Micronations were formed. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_micronations 4. Explore Australian culture and values Discuss what you think some key aspects of Australian culture might be, and what are some values considered “Australian.” There are lots of good Youtube videos and articles on what it means to be Australian and what people consider to be Australian values. WEEK 3: Governance This week we explored the concept of governance and different forms of governance around the world. We also got to play with gummy bears in a very educational way. Extension Activities 1. Explore types of governance in Micronations This video is about a Micronation convention and mentions a range of governance styles. Please note, there is a brief mention of a BDSM Micronation and reference to drugs between 1.55 – 2.08 in the video. I edited this section out and showed the students a condensed version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpvNg-wrTkk Look at the list of Micronations and see how many types of governance you can find listed: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_micronations 2. Explore types of governance in the world This is a good, short little video about types of governments in the world https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdh9xo47OWM This is a good video that goes into more detail about difference types of governance – a little dry, but informative: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvPCYqKZP3Y This video asks what you think is the best form of government. It’s a bit biased but has some good info: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j8NDHLw7dc 3. Explore governance in Australia This video is a simple overview of the Australian government, but a super-cute video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWJz-QqxFlc This video goes more into depth on government and politics in Australia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re8hsr8VkEc This video goes a little more into politics too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOh3i6SjfJ8 Here are some more resources to explore governance in Australia: https://education.aec.gov.au/ https://www.peo.gov.au/teaching/parliamentary-lesson-plans.html https://www.forteachersforstudents.com.au/site/themed-curriculum/democracy-australia/ 4. Explore governance through history You could explore the idea of where democracy started, or pick a country and explore how its governance system has changed over time. You could also explore a country who has been under a dictatorship – either now or in the past and research whether it was always a dictatorship and if not, what it used to be and how it became a dictatorship. WEEK 4: Justice and Legal System This week we explored rules and laws and how they are enforced, as well as defining the criminal justice system of a nation as a series of government agencies and institutions whose goals are to identify and catch unlawful individuals to inflict a form of punishment on them. Other goals include the rehabilitation of offenders, preventing other crimes, and moral support for victims. We talked about the contemporary legal systems of the world as generally based on one of four basic systems: civil law, common law, statutory law, religious law or combinations of these. However, the legal system of each country is shaped by its unique history and so incorporates individual variations. Extension Activities 1. Explore the difference between rules and laws This is a good basic overview of rules and laws: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwEFPSqIApI Another basic video on why we need laws: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu3hjLyTI88 2. Explore the Australian legal system Different types of law in Australia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4blz8BbnVk&t=153s How laws are made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSCMpX9stW0 More on how laws are made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhYpkVclXbA The difference between civil and criminal justice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg5ex8WZUao 3. Go on a fact hunt See what information you can find out about these ideas: What is a constitution? Why do countries have constitutions and why are they important? Would a constitution be a useful thing for a Micronation to have? How is law enforced in Australia? Is it just the police or are there other agencies who enforce the law? Are there different levels of police? How is international law enforced between different countries? What is social justice and what does that mean? 4. Discuss Australian law and law enforcement Have a discussion on what you think the strengths are of Australia’s criminal justice system – what works well and what could be improved? What are some of the problems with the justice system and how could they be solved? WEEKS 5 & 6: Currency , Trade and the Economy Over these weeks we looked at currency, trade and the history of money. We also looked at how countries accumulate wealth and what trade means in today’s society. We started to discuss international trade and what that means, and defined international trade as the exchange of goods and services between countries. This type of trade gives rise to a world economy, in which prices, or supply and demand, affect and are affected by global events. Political change in Asia, for example, could result in an increase in the cost of labour, thereby increasing the manufacturing costs for an American sneaker company based in Malaysia, which would then result in an increase in the price that you have to pay to buy the tennis shoes at your local mall.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Micronational Club Starter Packet
    2019 Blount County Micronational Club Calendar Have you ever dreamed of ruling over your own country? Here’s your chance! What will the laws, customs, and history be? You decide. What will the flag, coins, and postage stamps look like? You will create them. With a different project each week, you’ll build an empire! On December 21, you can present your creations at the Micronational Fair. Recommended for ages 8 to 18. Thursday Topic Project Brainstorm at Home 09-05 @ 4:00 (in What is a country? / Real Micronations / Brainstorming Name / Vexillology (your flag) Sept.) What makes a good flag? Sheet 09-12 Name / Vexillology Flag Geography (your map) 09-19 Geography Map Theme / Declaration of Independence / Symbols / Motto 09-26 Theme / Declaration of Independence / Seal Constitution / Laws Symbols / Motto 10-03 @ 4:30 Constitution / Laws Coins Economics (Oct-Dec) 10-10 Economics Currency Fashion 10-17 Fashion Sash Crowns / Sports / Awards 10-24 Sports Crown / Trophy / Folklore Medals 10-31 Folklore Monster Stamps / Customs 11-07 Infrastructure Stamps / Passports Language 11-14 Language Language Monument 11-21 Monuments Model Music ThanksGive no no no 12-05 Music Song Holidays 12-12 Holidays Calendar Multinational Fair 12-19 no no no Sat. 12-21 / @ Multinational Fair Multinational Fair Diplomacy 1:00 Other ideas: Micronational Olympics? Some of the projects and themes may change. This is your club. I want to hear your ideas! Contact: Clay Kriese Youth Services Specialist 865-273-1414 [email protected] Make Your Own Micronation Worksheet 2019 Blount County Micronational Club Use this sheet (and a pencil) to help you brainstorm ideas for your new country.
    [Show full text]
  • Small States & Territories, Vol. 2, No. 2, 2019, Pp. 183-194 Oecusse And
    Small States & Territories, Vol. 2, No. 2, 2019, pp. 183-194 Oecusse and the Sultanate of Occussi-Ambeno: Pranksterism, misrepresentation and micronationality Philip Hayward School of Communications University of Technology Sydney Australia [email protected] Abstract: Occussi-Ambeno, a fictional sultanate initially conceived by Aotearoan/New Zealander anarchist artist Bruce Grenville in 1968 and represented and developed by him and others over the last fifty years, is notable as both an early example of a virtual micronation (i.e. a type that does not attempt to enact itself within the physical territory it claims) and as an entity affixed to an entire pre-existent territory (in the case of the Sultanate of Occussi- Ambeno, that of Oecusse on the north-west coast of the island of Timor). The latter aspect is pertinent in that however imaginary the micronation is, its association with a region of a small state raises questions concerning the ethics of (mis)representation. This is particularly pertinent in the case of Oecusse, which was occupied by Indonesian forces in 1975 and had its distinct identity subsumed within the Indonesian state until Timor-Leste (and Oecusse as its exclave) successfully gained independence in 2002. Discussions in the article compare the anarcho- pranksterist impulse behind the creation of the Sultanate of Occussi-Ambeno and its manifestation in visual media – primarily through the design and production of ‘artistamps’ (faux postage stamps) – to related economic and socio-political contexts. Keywords: artistamps, Indonesia, micronation, misrepresentation, Occussi-Ambeno, Oecusse, Portugal, Timor, Timor Leste © 2019 – Islands and Small States Institute, University of Malta, Malta.
    [Show full text]
  • What Is a Nation: the Micronationalist Challenge to Traditional Concepts of the Nation-State
    WHAT IS A NATION: THE MICRONATIONALIST CHALLENGE TO TRADITIONAL CONCEPTS OF THE NATION-STATE A Thesis by Bennie Lee Ferguson Master of Arts, Wichita State University, 2009 Submitted to the Department of History and the faculty of the Graduate School of Wichita State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts May 2009 © Copyright 2009 by Bennie Lee Ferguson All Rights Reserved WHAT IS A NATION: THE MICRONATIONALIST CHALLENGE TO TRADITIONAL CONCEPTS OF THE NATION-STATE The following faculty members have examined the final copy of this thesis for form and content, and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Arts with a major in History. _____________________________________ George Dehner, Committee Chair _____________________________________ Jay Price, Committee Member _____________________________________ Deborah Gordon, Committee Member iii DEDICATION To my son, David Lee Ferguson, my father, Basil Lee Ferguson, my mother, Alberta Zongker, my good friend Michael Cummans, and His Excellency President Kevin Baugh of the Republic of Molossia iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to extend my gratitude to several members of the faculty of Wichita State University, including Dr. John Dreifort, Dr. Anthony Gythiel, and Dr. Craig Miner. I would also like to thank the members of my committee, Dr. Jay Price, Dr. Deborah Gordon, and especially my thesis chair, Dr. George Dehner, for their guidance and counsel, not only in regard to this project, but
    [Show full text]
  • Small States & Territories, Vol. 2, No. 2, 2019, Pp. 183-194 Oecusse and the Sultanate of Occussi-Ambeno
    Small States & Territories, Vol. 2, No. 2, 2019, pp. 183-194 Oecusse and the Sultanate of Occussi-Ambeno: Pranksterism, Misrepresentation and Micronationality Philip Hayward School of Communications University of Technology Sydney Australia [email protected] Abstract: Occussi-Ambeno, a fictional sultanate initially conceived by Aotearoan/New Zealander anarchist artist Bruce Grenville in 1968 and represented and developed by him and others over the last fifty years, is notable as both an early example of a virtual micronation (i.e. a type that does not attempt to enact itself within the physical territory it claims) and as an entity affixed to an entire pre-existent territory (in the case of the Sultanate of Occussi- Ambeno, that of Oecusse on the north-west coast of the island of Timor). The latter aspect is pertinent in that however imaginary the micronation is, its association with a region of a small state raises questions concerning the ethics of (mis)representation. This is particularly pertinent in the case of Oecusse, which was occupied by Indonesian forces in 1975 and had its distinct identity subsumed within the Indonesian state until Timor-Leste (and Oecusse as its exclave) successfully gained independence in 2002. Discussions in the article compare the anarcho- pranksterist impulse behind the creation of the Sultanate of Occussi-Ambeno and its manifestation in visual media – primarily through the design and production of ‘artistamps’ (faux postage stamps) – to related economic and socio-political contexts. Keywords: artistamps, Indonesia, micronation, misrepresentation, Occussi-Ambeno, Oecusse, Portugal, Timor, Timor Leste © 2019 – Islands and Small States Institute, University of Malta, Malta.
    [Show full text]
  • Ádány Tamás Vince MIKRONEMZETI TÖREKVÉSEK a NEMZETKÖZI
    Pázmány Law Working Papers 2015/11 Ádány Tamás Vince MIKRONEMZETI TÖREKVÉSEK A NEMZETKÖZI JOGI ÁLLAMFOGALOM TÜKRÉBEN Pázmány Péter Katolikus Egyetem Pázmány Péter Catholic University Budapest http://www.plwp.jak.ppke.hu/ 1 Mikronemzeti törekvések a nemzetközi jogi államfogalom tükrében „Ebben az intézményben mindenki nyugodtan élhetett rögeszméje szerint, ha ezt csendben tette, és a többi beteget nem bántotta.”1 Néhány kilométernyire a magyar határtól Horvátország és Szerbia között a két ország közötti határ megállapításra vonatkozó elvek határozatlansága, illetve a Duna medrének változása egy látszólagos „senki földjét” hozott létre a környékbeliek által Sziga néven ismert területen, ahol e sorok írásának idején egy cseh állampolgár kezdeményezésére néhány lelkes magánszemély Liberland néven új állam létrehozására törekszik.2 Ez a kísérlet a magyar közvélemény figyelmét is a nemzetközi jognak egyes, a nagyközönség előtt ritkán tárgyalt kérdéseire irányította. A Vít Jedlička úr által létrehozni kívánt állam nem példa nélküli törekvés: a jelenséget, amikor néhány fő – jellemzően egy család vagy baráti kör – egy vitatható jogállású területen saját szuverenitását deklarálja, törekvése szerint új államot hozva ezzel létre, mikronemzetként szokták leírni különböző népszerűsítő fórumokon. A jelenség leírására használt modern fogalom megalkotójaként többen (ha nem is tévesen, de legalábbis erősen túlozva)3 egy bizonyos Robert Ben Medisont jelölnek meg, aki (a közvélekedés szerint egyébként Milwaukee-ban található) hálószobáját tekintette önálló
    [Show full text]
  • Paolo Barberi, Graziano Graziani Script
    CATEGORY: DOCUMENTARY SERIES DIRECTION: PAOLO BARBERI, GRAZIANO GRAZIANI SCRIPT: GRAZIANO GRAZIANI LENGTH: 52’ X 8 EPISODES FORMAT: 4K PRODUCTION: ESPLORARE LA METROPOLI LANGUAGE: ENGLISH BUDGET: IN DEVELOPMENT STATUS: IN DEVELOPMENT www.nacne.it www.esplorarelametropoli.it Phone: 0039 328 59.95.253 Phone: 0039 347 42.30.644 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] SUBJECT There are many reasons for founding a nation: idealism, goliardery, politics, even tax evasion. Here are the most strange and evocative cases of a much wider practice than one can imagine: to declare the indepen- dence of a microscopic part of a territory and to proclaim oneself a king or a president, even if only in your own home. Few people know, for example, that in addition to San Marino and the Vatican, there are in Italy a country and an island that have absolute sovereignty over their territories, based on rights acquired before the unification of Italy; or that a nation has been founded in Australia to protect the rights of homosexuals, while in Africa and South America some “non-existent states” have declared independence for the sole purpose of issuing counterfeit treasury bonds. This series of documentaries wants to be an atlas of stories and characters, a geography of places halfway between reality and imagination. Places that often dissolve themselves with the disappearance of their founder. Small epics that, for better or for worse, lead to paroxysm the irreducible desire for independence and autonomy of human beings. ATLAS OF MICRONATION is articulated as a series of 8 self-conclusive episodes, each dedicated to the story of a single micronation.
    [Show full text]
  • Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (But Still So Far): Assessing Liberlandâ•Žs Claim of Statehood
    Chicago Journal of International Law Volume 17 Number 1 Article 10 7-1-2016 Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (But Still So Far): Assessing Liberland’s Claim of Statehood Gabriel Rossman Follow this and additional works at: https://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/cjil Recommended Citation Rossman, Gabriel (2016) "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (But Still So Far): Assessing Liberland’s Claim of Statehood," Chicago Journal of International Law: Vol. 17: No. 1, Article 10. Available at: https://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/cjil/vol17/iss1/10 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Chicago Unbound. It has been accepted for inclusion in Chicago Journal of International Law by an authorized editor of Chicago Unbound. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (But Still So Far): Assessing Liberland’s Claim of Statehood Gabriel Rossman Abstract This Comment analyzes the statehood aspirations of Liberland, a self-proclaimed microstate nestled on a tract of disputed territory between Serbia and Croatia. Customary international law, the Montevideo Criteria, and alternative modalities of recognition are discussed as potential avenues for Liberland to gain recognition. The theoretical and practical merits of these theories are explored. Ultimately, Liberland has two potential avenues for obtaining recognition. First, Liberland could convince the international community that the land it claims is terra nullius and satisfies the Montevideo Criteria. Second, Liberland could obtain constitutive recognition by the international community. It is unlikely that Liberland will be able to obtain recognition through either of these avenues. Table of Contents I. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 308 II. A Brief History of Liberland ..............................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • What Will Happen to Sealand, the World's Smallest Micronation, After Brexit? 10/10/19, 12(16
    What will happen to Sealand, the world's smallest micronation, after Brexit? 10/10/19, 12(16 My Feed News Politics Sport Business Money Opinion Tech Life & Style Travel Culture See all News Premium ! › News What will happen to Sealand, the world's smallest micronation, after Brexit? Sealand, a self-claimed principality in the North Sea approximately 12 km from the coast of Suffolk CREDIT: GEOFF PUGH By Charlotte Lytton Follow 8 OCTOBER 2019 • 9:47AM https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/10/08/will-happen-sealand-worlds-smallest-micronation-brexit/ Page 1 of 9 What will happen to Sealand, the world's smallest micronation, after Brexit? 10/10/19, 12(16 As Brexit beckons, Charlotte Lytton visits the North Sea island taking citizenship into its own hands Seven miles off the Suffolk coast, it is officially the smallest micronation in the world. For more than half a century, Sealand – a wind-lashed (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1538866/For-65m-your-very-own-nation.html), Second World War naval fort whose main platform, some 60ft above the North Sea, can only be reached by being winched up by crane – has seen off not only German advances but also those from the British government. Now, with increasing uncertainty about Brexit on the UK mainland, the sovereign state is receiving hundreds of applications for citizenship each week. According to Michael Bates, the principality’s 67-year-old prince, would-be Sealanders are inspired by the ruling family’s “desire for freedom from authority” – as well as its black passport, embossed with two crowned sea creatures.
    [Show full text]
  • The Mustang a Few Words from the President in a Word, Microcon
    News from the Republic of Molossia 1 July 2017 XL Volume 5, Issue 7 The Mustang A Few Words From The President In a word, MicroCon. The meeting of many micronational leaders and citizens in Atlanta, Georgia, 23-25 June 2017 XL was amazing to say the least. Speaking personally, I truly and deeply enjoyed Inside this issue: interacting with my peers in the micronational world, exchanging ideas with them, networking and fellowshipping. Meeting with MicroCon, continued 2 others that share similar ideas and goals is only half of the experi- ence, enjoying their unique views on what makes a nation is the Ourania State Visit and 3 other half. Both halves come together to create an epiphanal event, Other News one that will not be forgotten soon - nor do we want it to. Meeting with like-minded people forged new friendships and strengthened Last Word With The First 4 old ones. It set the stage for a new era of intermicronational en- Lady gagement and interaction. I look forward to a more positive future for the micronational world, and to future MicroCon meetups! MicroCon 2017 28 June 2017 XL On 23, 24 and 25 June 2017 XL the Republic of Molossia was honored to participate in the second major intermicronational get-together and conference, MicroCon 2017. Hosted this year by the Kingdom of Ruritania, MicroCon is a meet-up of micronationalists from around the world. The evening before the event began many micronationalists gathered at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Ruritania for a diplomatic reception. This allowed the leaders of the assembled nations to gather so- cially, exchange ideas and generally get to know each other.
    [Show full text]
  • Warwick.Ac.Uk/Lib-Publications
    A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of PhD at the University of Warwick Permanent WRAP URL: http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/153079 Copyright and reuse: This thesis is made available online and is protected by original copyright. Please scroll down to view the document itself. Please refer to the repository record for this item for information to help you to cite it. Our policy information is available from the repository home page. For more information, please contact the WRAP Team at: [email protected] warwick.ac.uk/lib-publications COMPLEX GOVERNANCE AND SEAZONES: THE FLOATING ISLAND PROJECT IN FRENCH POLYNESIA 2020 Ph.D. Thesis by Nathalie Mezza-Garcia A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of. Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Warwick Complex Governance and SeaZones: The Floating Island Project Nathalie Mezza-Garcia Supervised by Emma Uprichard & Nathaniel Tkacz A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment for the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies University of Warwick Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies January 2020 Esta tesis está dedicada a mi mamá y a mi papá. Por toda una vida de apoyo incondicional. This thesis is dedicated to my mum and dad, for a lifetime of love and unconditional support. II I think the next century will be the century of complexity Stephen W. Hawking III Table of Contents LIST OF APPENDIXES ......................................................................................... VIII ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Story of the Kingdom of L'anse-Saint-Jean
    Transformations issue 35 (2021) Anachronistic Progressivism: Advancing www.transformationsjournal.org Sovereignty through Monarchy - The story of ISSN 1444-3775 the Kingdom of L’Anse-Saint-Jean AUTHOR BIO R. Georges Gardinetti & Valérie Vézina R. Georges Gardinetti is a graduate student at Simon Fraser ABSTRACT University, BritisH Columbia, Canada and studies public policy. This article examines the story of the Kingdom of L’Anse-Saint-Jean where a Dr. Valérie Vézina is a professor popular referendum resulted in the first and only North American municipal of political science at Kwantlen monarchy. Many questioned whether this was a puBlicity stunt; for Denys PolytecHnic University, BritisH Tremblay, aka King Denys I, it represented much more than that. Moreover, Columbia, Canada. Her research as a living performance piece it challenged people’s perspectives on focuses on the intersection nationalism, sovereignty, and democracy. King Denys I applied his own between nationalism studies and personal touch to the project which sought to attract people to the region as island studies. She specialises in well as show what could Be done within the limits of the status quo. Though comparative studies and has the monarchy was short-lived, it achieved what decades of separatist politics published books and articles on could not in QuéBec: the estaBlishment of a sovereign suB-unit of a democracy Puerto Rico, American Samoa without contravening its constitution. and Newfoundland. KEYWORDS micronations, sovereignty, nationalism, L’Anse-Saint-Jean, QuéBec Gardinetti & Vézina 53 Introduction In 1997, after a popular referendum, the Kingdom of L’Anse-Saint-Jean was estaBlished. Its first (and only) monarch, Denys I, was crowned King of the municipal monarchy.
    [Show full text]
  • I. North Dumpling Island
    Butkus: North Dumpling Island NORTH DUMPLING ISLAND Micronationality, the Media and the American Dream CLARICE M. BUTKUS <[email protected]> Abstract North Dumpling Island is a 3-acre stretch of land off the Atlantic Coast of the United States. The island has had five known owners since 1639, the most recent of whom is famed inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen. In 1986, Kamen launched a humorous campaign for the island’s secession in response to the State of New York’s denial of permission to build a wind turbine tower on his residentially zoned island property. The following article traces highlights of the media’s response to that campaign and discusses how Kamen has leveraged media publicity around his claims for micronationality to draw attention to his scientific and environmental initiatives, including a micronational model for sustainable energy consumption. Key Words North Dumpling Island, Dean Kamen, micronationality Introduction Islands, and particularly islands off the Atlantic coast, have played a key role in the development of the United States. The first documented European settlement in mainland North America, for instance, was at Roanoke, a barrier island off the North Carolina coast, in 1585. More significantly, the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam, established on Manhattan Island in the Hudson River in 1624, provided the foundation for the development of New York as a major global city. Tiny Nantucket island, off of Cape Cod, also rose to global prominence in the 18th and 19th centuries as a major whaling base, whose ships worked fishing grounds in the North and South Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
    [Show full text]