Should Sealand be considered a nation?

by **The Grand American Empire** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:19 am

There has been much debate about if Sealand should be a country or not.

For those of you who do not know what Sealand is, The Principality of Sealand is a micronation located in the North Sea. Its mass consists of what was HM Fort Roughs, a former Second World War Maunsell Sea Fort, off the coast of Suffolk, England, United Kingdom.

While it has been described as the world's smallest country, or the world's smallest nation,Sealand is not recognised by any established sovereign state, although Sealand's government claims it has been de facto recognised by the United Kingdom (after an English court ruled it did not have jurisdiction over Sealand as territorial water limitations were defined at the time)and Germany.

Since 1967 the facility has been occupied by family and associates of Paddy Roy Bates, who claim that it is an independent sovereign state.Bates seized it from a group of pirate radio broadcasters in 1967 with the intention of setting up his own station at the site.He attempted to establish Sealand as a nation-state in 1975 with the writing of a national constitution and establishment of other national symbols.Bates moved to mainland Essex when he became elderly, naming his son Michael regent. Bates died in October 2012 at the age of 91.

So should Sealand be a nation? you decide

by **The Rhomaion** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:21 am

If it gets a substantial amount of international recognition and its existence doesn't contravene any other treaties, then yes.

If no to either of those things, then no.

by **Nervium** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:22 am

Sealand should lead the UN and NATO.

by **Napkiraly** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:23 am

I personally favour its annexation.

by **Fluerian** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:25 am

meh i suppose it should be considered a nation

by **Murkwood** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:25 am

Do be really need a thread for this? No.

by **Ucropi** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:25 am

Long live Sealand!

by **Horizont** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:26 am

I think it should become one of the British Overseas Territories.

by **The Rhomaion** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:26 am

Napkiraly wrote:I personally favour its annexation.

So do I.

By Lesotho, ideally (they deserve a coastline), but I'd settle for it being annexed by Denmark to help with force projection.

by **United Regions of Verona** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:29 am

It's a little man made concrete pillar with a deck on top. No.

by **Archegnum** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:33 am

Hump. I think we Brits should go invade it. Technically, it is in our territorial waters.

From stuff I've read, I don't think anyone recognises it because it is situated on an artificial structure, as opposed to an actual island. But I don't know if any government can really call it a nation without risking anarchy. I mean, if you ever don't want to follow a particular law, just declare your house and garden the Independent State of [name]opia and crown yourself absolute ruler. Simple!

by **Olthar** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:36 am

Yes, just for the fun of it.

by **Estado Paulista** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:39 am

The Grand American Empire wrote:There has been much debate about if Sealand should be a country or not.

No, there hasn't.

by **Interdimensional Orange Juice** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:40 am

Well, it has a government with a valid structure, doesn't it? It is a bit small, but who's to say "that country is too small,"?

by **Ratateague** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:40 am

While I support their autonomy, I can't help but notice they don't have any room for government buildings or embassies.
or agriculture.

by **The Rhomaion** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:40 am

Estado Paulista wrote:
The Grand American Empire wrote:There has been much debate about if Sealand should be a country or not.

No, there hasn't.

Clearly you haven't been on NSG for very long.

by **Norstal** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:41 am

The Rhomaion wrote:
Estado Paulista wrote:
No, there hasn't.

Clearly you haven't been on NSG for very long.

NSG is the Tumblr for political activists. Of course NSGers are going to say Sealand is a country. And if you disagree, you're a statist.

by **The Rhomaion** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:42 am

Norstal wrote:
The Rhomaion wrote:
Clearly you haven't been on NSG for very long.

NSG is the Tumblr for political activists. Of course NSGers are going to say Sealand is a country. And if you disagree, you're a statist.

NSG: Home to the world's largest community of Sovereignty Justice Warriors.

by **-The Unified Earth Governments-** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:43 am

Sure, then the UK can invade it...

Result, first invasion in history where basically every nation doesn't give a flying fuck in any way.

Of course, I am just joking, even at the yes to giving it nationhood.

by **Olthar** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:46 am

The Rhomaion wrote:
Norstal wrote:NSG is the Tumblr for political activists. Of course NSGers are going to say Sealand is a country. And if you disagree, you're a statist.

NSG: Home to the world's largest community of Sovereignty Justice Warriors.

Yay! I get to be a Justice Warrior!

...What's a Justice Warrior? Is it like a Paladin? Do I get spells?

by **Avaerilon** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:47 am

I wouldn't personally call a man-made structure with the population Sealand has a nation, though it does have some aspects to it which are nation-like. I'm quite happy for it to exist as it is, at any rate.

by **Ratateague** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:50 am

Olthar wrote:
The Rhomaion wrote:
NSG: Home to the world's largest community of Sovereignty Justice Warriors.

Yay! I get to be a Justice Warrior!

...What's a Justice Warrior? Is it like a Paladin? Do I get spells?

Detect Injustice. It's like those other Detect spells, except it gives a lot of false positives.

by **Olthar** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:52 am

Ratateague wrote:
Olthar wrote:Yay! I get to be a Justice Warrior!

...What's a Justice Warrior? Is it like a Paladin? Do I get spells?

Detect Injustice. It's like those other Detect spells, except it gives a lot of false positives.

Ooo! Fancy!

by **Norstal** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:52 am

Ratateague wrote:
Olthar wrote:Yay! I get to be a Justice Warrior!

...What's a Justice Warrior? Is it like a Paladin? Do I get spells?

Detect Injustice. It's like those other Detect spells, except it gives a lot of false positives.

There's also the spell Whine, where you complain constantly about how the state steals your money to distribute it to the poor or that we need more deregulation.

by **Rhenish Republic (Ancient)** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:53 am

Is Sealand populated at all, or do the 'residents' of Sealand travel over from time to time? :blink: