" ... the word "state" in keeping with the definition originally offered by Max Weber, to wit:
"ein auf das Mittel der legitimen (das heisst: als legitim angesehenen) Gewaltsamkeit gest�tztes Herrschaftsverh�ltnis von Menschen �ber Menschen" ["a relation of men dominating men, a relation supported by means of legitimate (i.e. considered to be legitimate) violence" - in Politik als Beruf, 1919].
A state is thus a political body which has a monopoly on the legitimate exercise of (violent) force within a given territorial space.
(And from Nova Roma:)
"Micronations are the smallest form of official
nationhood. Usually they are nations with little or no [actual] land, but
have had laid claim to sovereign independence & territory. Most are
unrecognized by the major countries of the world.
"In most cases, Micronations are attempts at founding new countries. They
often declare cominion over land that actually exists, often tiny, isolated
islands, or other areas undeveloped by major world powers. Like other
countries, many Micronations have proclaimed declarations of independence,
adopted constitutions, sought diplomatic relations, appointed ambassadors,
displayed national flags, and [have} issued stamps, passports & currency."
Through research, we have discovered that there are several different "types" of micronations:
ranging from "landed" nations, such as the Principality
of Andorra & Barbados, to "model" nations which may have a few as one citizen (who is
often the "ultimate dictator & war leader," too). Most people have the
impression that a (or any) micronation is an online "Jonestown" --- and everyone
involved there equally as loco as that......
But, in many cases, these people couldn't be more wrong .......
Our conclusions?
From all the above (definitions), TorHavn CAN be defined as a nation, but not (yet) as a state.
We are a nation in that we have a definitive culture, and a population (however small at this time)
that says that it is of TorHavn, but: We cannot be called a state (regrettably).
Article 1 of the 1933 Montevideo Convention on Rights and Duties of States (some of the text later
submitted to the UNO in 1949: click here to view the main body of text regarding same)
defines a state as possessing a permanent population (size is not even mentioned), a defined territory,
a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states.
We do meet all these criteria save one: land. We have a sovereign government exercising effective jurisdiction
over (a) well-defined territory (our own individual houses & the Internet) with permanent residents, and we have diplomatic
relations with several other sovereign entities (nations/states).
Also: Article 3 of this same Montevideo Convention specifically says that "the political existence of the State is independent of recognition by other States."
Although TorHavn has not achieved "landed sovereignty", and is, therefore, not a sovereign
state ... still it is not the nature of things to stay the same, We do intend to exercise Our rights as a nation
to aspire to statehood at a later date (even if we must "buy" it at first)..
Next question:Where Is TorHavn?
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