These fall into two basic categories: important problems and unimportant quibbles. We'll start with the quibbles first.
Quibbles with Micronationalism
Okay, what's with the ridiculous names? It's like some of these people take an eastern European province and mash it together with a Russian transliteration and used it to name a country. Or it sounds like a realm from some fantasy novel. Or is hyperspecific (Principality of Hutt River is downright clean compared to most). I know that's a pretty silly thing to get worked up about, but after awhile I'd just like a nice [Republic/Kingdom] of [Normal-sounding place-name].
Similarly, their online presence leaves something to be desired. A few paid to have nice websites built, but most just took a course in HTML and went to town with it. In both cases, their websites are usually difficult to navigate and full of contradictory or redundant information. This leads me to one of my more serious criticisms.
Similarly, their online presence leaves something to be desired. A few paid to have nice websites built, but most just took a course in HTML and went to town with it. In both cases, their websites are usually difficult to navigate and full of contradictory or redundant information. This leads me to one of my more serious criticisms.
Serious Problems in Micronationalism
Micronations, generally, aren't very well planned. Usually they start out as creative exercises in imagination that stick for entrepreneurial reasons. Naturally, this leads to some very weird histories, including outright fabrications. Because they aren't very well planned, micronationalists often come off pretty whiny in their attempts to gain independence and recognition, even when run by relatively stable and responsibly individuals (anyone who finds the idea of setting up a new country in your back yard is a little weird, myself included).
I think the reputation of micronations actually hurt serious independence movements and new country projects. When micronationalists declare the People's Republic of Backyardlandia, they draw negative media attention to the idea of setting up a new country. While well-organized micronations could help foster the idea in people's minds, for the most part, they taint the public perception of separatism.
At risk of sounding like an altruist, I'd advise micronationalists to think about others and put their own immediate interest aside for the sake of independence movements everywhere. Focus on developing community and identity before working on sovereignty. If you've got a reasonable large community that wants to secede, then go for it. Until then, keep the games to yourself.
That's some advice I could afford to follow, too.
I think the reputation of micronations actually hurt serious independence movements and new country projects. When micronationalists declare the People's Republic of Backyardlandia, they draw negative media attention to the idea of setting up a new country. While well-organized micronations could help foster the idea in people's minds, for the most part, they taint the public perception of separatism.
At risk of sounding like an altruist, I'd advise micronationalists to think about others and put their own immediate interest aside for the sake of independence movements everywhere. Focus on developing community and identity before working on sovereignty. If you've got a reasonable large community that wants to secede, then go for it. Until then, keep the games to yourself.
That's some advice I could afford to follow, too.
