First Draft Resolution of the MicroParliament Classification Committee

 

WHEREAS, mankind has a tendency to name and classify everything, and

WHEREAS, no objective, international standard yet exists for the classification of micronations,

 

NOW, THEREFORE, WE THE MEMBERS OF THE MICROPARLIAMENT RESOLVE that the following be established as the "Micronational Standard System of Classification" for all nations:

 

REALITY AXIS

 

The Reality Axis assesses the relative ability of a nation, based on existing institutions, to assert its sovereignty relative to the rest of the world. The descriptive words used are nouns.

 

     FIRST TIER - STATES

 

     Supernational entities: comprised of macronations, but which by treaty

assume certain governmental functions ordinarily maintained by macronations [European Community].

 

     Macronations, or Macrostates: Fully sovereign within its own territory, does not

pay taxes or delegate to another nation essential services. [France, USA, Brazil, etc. -- members of the United Nations, by definition].

 

     Recognized Microstates: Sovereignty recognized by macronations, but due to

small size may be dependent on neighboring macronation for services [Andorra, Nauru, Palestine].

 

     Unrecognized Microstates: Nations which physically hold territory, and maintain

some services on it, and are not recognized by macronations as a nation [Hutt River, Republic of Texas (in the territory it actually controls)]; but are actively seeking that recognition.

 

     SECOND TIER - MICRONATIONS

 

     Protonations: Micronations located on the physical territory they claim, but are

not actively working to assert sovereignty against a macronation [Talossa].

 

     Metanations: Micronations having a defined "spiritual homeland" on the Earth's

surface having a defined and working governmental structure involving three or

more people, not necessarily located on the territory claimed [Orange, Penguinea, Réunion].

 

     Pseudonations: Pure fantasy nation or role-playing game [Landreth (albeit with

strong metanational characteristics), Lezaria].

 

     Ego-nations: Micronation consisting of one or two persons. [Monrovia]

 

 

DERIVATISM AXIS

 

The Derivatism Axis applies only to micronations, and assesses the similarity of micronational institutions to those found in the macronational world. The descriptive words used are adjectives that may accompany the noun from the Realism Axis.

 

     Derivativist: A micronation committed to establishing institutions that have the look and feel of macronational institutions (e.g., a working currency, military, printed newspapers) [Talossa]

 

     Semi-Derivativist: A micronation that, influenced by realism, tempers its commitment to derivitavism with institutions more micronational in scope [Penguinea]

 

     Semi-Peculiarist: A micronation with pronounced elements of both the Derivativist and the Peculiarist [Réunion]

 

     Peculiarist: A micronation that mimics the look of macronational institutions, but views them as the basis of cultural expression (e.g., a non-working currency with whimsical values, elaborate titles, silly place names and languages).

 

     Fantastic: A micronation that makes no attempt to emulate macronational institutions, that is, pure fantasy.

 

 

GENERAL NOTES:

1.   A nation may ascend or descend the Reality Axis; thus an evolution, even from ego-nation to macronation is possible. The same nation can be at different stages of that evolution at different times in its history. 

2.   While it is generally true that more realistic nations also tend to be more derivativist, exceptions do occur. A macronation can have a comic-opera army, fantastic titles, and in other respects be thoroughly Peculiar, as is the case with many African dictatorships [the classic case being the Central African Empire under Bokassa]).


Second Draft Resolution of the MicroParliament Classification Committee

 

WHEREAS, many within the micropatriological movement have been concerned about intentional or unintentional deception of the new and unwary by the use of realistic-appearing devices (such as history) to support fantasy; and

 

WHEREAS, it is important for the future of the movement that Truth at least be identifiable;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, WE THE MEMBERS OF THE MICROPARLIAMENT RESOLVE that the following terminology be considered the standard when used in a micropatrological context:

 

ˇ      History: Recorded actions by living persons which may be accessed and verified by persons other than the government of the micronation involved (for example, through a Web site or through macronational media).

ˇ      Legend: Record of a micronation that cannot be verified as History. Usually, legend exists for the purpose of establishing a cultural context for the micronation.

ˇ      War: A conflict between micronations conducted according to international rules, or by mutual consent of the combatants, in which either nation stands to gain or lose territory, population, or other valuable consideration, depending on the outcome. Any form of physical terrorism or sabotage of Internet sites should never be tolerated, and is to be punished according to macronational law.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that micronations be urged in the strongest terms to adopt these usages in their Web sites and promotional materials.

 

The Tisserand Museum
October, 2000