Gavin Howe
Micronations are entities that mimic sovereign states and their attributes, often with eccentric anti-establishment beliefs. They are not recognised as autonomous or self-governing as they lack a legal basis in international law. However, this does not stop micronations from creating their own laws, passports, postage stamps, and even attempting to claim land or space. Micronations are often formed by a single individual or a small group of like-minded people, and their seriousness can vary. Some micronations are formed for fun, while others have a genuine desire for independence and sovereignty. The creation of a micronation can be as simple as declaring sovereignty, creating a website, and finding citizens, but it is unlikely that a macronation will ever recognise a micronation within its territory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | "Micronations, microstates, imaginary countries, countercountries, unrecognized nations, or ephemeral states, are all terms for countries which have been declared independent by (usually eccentric) individuals or small groups, but unlike other such attempts, fail to achieve widespread diplomatic recognition." |
| Legality | "Micronations are classified separately from states and rebel movements and are not considered autonomous or self-governing as they lack the legal basis in international law for their existence." |
| Recognition | "Fact is, no state in the world will recognize someone forming a micronation within it." |
| Sovereignty | "The ultimate authority to make and enforce laws is generally known as sovereignty. [...] Your theoretical micronation can set up laws as soon as it is formed. If you are in fact a sovereign state, then you get to make the rules." |
| Seriousness | "There are several serious micronational efforts out there, and they take themselves very seriously. They tend to avoid elements in their nations that are not mostly grounded in reality; no fictional histories, actual possession or at least claims of real places, not fictional, never any 'fake' citizens, all real." |
| Online Presence | "You need a website. For many micronations, this is most, if not all that their country ever is, a website and a few dedicated citizens." |
| Citizens | "You need citizens." |
| Geography | "Geographically, most micronations are very small, are often the outgrowth of a single individual, rely on their sovereign state to some extent, and mimic sovereign states by creating their own government, legislation, proclaiming national symbols, holding national elections, etc." |
| Defence | "Most micronations don't have the money or ability to own and/or maintain large-scale military firearms and thus they must rely on more basic methods." |
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What You'll Learn
Micronations and the law
Micronations are classified differently from states and rebel movements and are not considered autonomous or self-governing as they lack a legal basis in international law. However, this has not stopped micronations from creating their own laws, currencies, postage stamps, and passports. Micronations are usually motivated by experimentation, political protest, artistic expression, and sometimes criminal activity.
Micronations can be created by individuals or small groups, but they rarely achieve widespread diplomatic recognition. A micronation must establish sovereignty and make its name known to other states. To make their sovereignty official, micronations draft a declaration of how and why they created a sovereign state, including legal reasons and why their sovereignty is valid, and send it to surrounding states. Some micronations take themselves very seriously, while others are more lighthearted hobbyist pursuits.
In terms of the law, a micronation can set up its own laws as soon as it is formed. If a micronation is a sovereign state, it can make its own rules, including a constitution that guides how rules are created, updated, and enforced. However, it is important to note that no state in the world will recognize a micronation formed within its borders. Micronations that consist of just a flag in a backyard are considered as legitimate as larger micronations, but they are not taken seriously and are ignored as long as they are not doing anything illegal.
Some micronations have attempted to claim land in outer space, but this is not legally possible due to outer space treaties. Others have tried to claim Antarctica, which no state can claim as territory according to international convention.
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Micronation sovereignty
Micronations are small, self-proclaimed entities that claim sovereignty and independence from recognised nations or sovereign states. While micronations may have their own laws, they are not recognised as autonomous or self-governing due to their lack of legal basis in international law. In other words, while a micronation may establish its own laws, it cannot prevent a recognised sovereign state from enforcing their laws on the same land.
The concept of micronations, which emerged in the late 20th century, is often associated with experimentation, political protest, artistic expression, and entertainment. They are distinct from microstates, such as Liechtenstein or Vatican City, which are recognised as sovereign over their small territories and populations. Micronations, on the other hand, are not acknowledged as sovereign states by other nations or supranational organisations.
Despite the lack of recognition, some micronations take themselves very seriously. These serious micronational efforts tend to avoid elements that are not grounded in reality, such as fictional histories or citizens. Their goal is often actual independence, and they seek to achieve it through various means, including finding legal loopholes. For example, the Grand Duchy of Westarctica claimed Antarctica, which is not claimed by any state, and then created a state to administer it.
The path to sovereignty for a micronation is challenging. Micronations are often treated as a curiosity or ignored by established nations. To be recognised as a sovereign state, a micronation must be recognised as such by other states, which is a difficult hurdle to overcome. Even if a micronation manages to establish its own laws and constitution, it may still be treated as a cult or face issues with the police and the army of the recognised sovereign state in which it is located.
While achieving sovereignty for a micronation is a complex and difficult endeavour, it is not impossible. Through persistence, creativity, and a serious approach, a micronation may be able to evolve into a true nation and achieve statehood.
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Micronation recognition
Micronations are small, self-proclaimed entities that claim to be independent nations or sovereign states. However, they are not acknowledged as such by any recognised sovereign state or any supranational organisation. They are distinct from microstates, which are recognised independent states with small populations and territories, like Liechtenstein or the Vatican City.
Micronations are also not considered autonomous or self-governing as they lack a legal basis in international law. They are often motivated by experimentation, political protest, artistic expression, entertainment, and sometimes criminal activity. While some micronations seek actual independence, most are considered sovereignty projects that mimic sovereign states rather than aiming for international recognition.
The creation of a micronation can be a serious endeavour, with some micronationalists seeking to ground their nations in reality. They avoid fictional elements, claiming real places, and seeking recognition from other serious micronations. However, most micronations are not taken seriously and are often seen as a hobby or entertainment. Many micronations start with a website and a small group of citizens, and some exist solely in concept with little more than a website.
Recognition of a micronation is a complex issue. To the citizens of a micronation, it may be formed when they declare it, but to the government of the state within whose territory the micronation lies, it may never be recognised. A key aspect of statehood is the recognition by other states. Micronations, by definition, lack this recognition from sovereign states and international organisations. While some micronations have attempted to find legal loopholes to establish sovereignty, such as claiming unclaimed territories, it remains challenging to gain legal recognition.
Despite the lack of official recognition, some micronations have issued currency, passports, and other official documents, although these are not legally recognised by established nations. The activities of micronations are often trivial enough to be ignored rather than disputed by the established nations whose territory they claim, referred to as macronations in micronationalism.
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Micronation citizens
Micronations are small, self-proclaimed entities that assert their sovereignty as independent states but are not acknowledged as such by recognised sovereign states or supranational organisations. They are distinct from microstates, which are recognised independent states of a small size, and unrecognised states, which exercise clear control of actual territory.
Micronations are often tongue-in-cheek, but some take themselves very seriously, avoiding elements that are not grounded in reality, such as fictional histories or citizens. These serious micronations seek actual independence and aim to achieve sovereignty, which is the ultimate authority to make and enforce laws.
Citizens of a micronation are those who identify as such and are recognised as such by the micronation. Micronations may issue citizenship documents, passports, and other official documents, but these are not recognised by any international authority. Some micronations have even sold citizenship, along with titles of nobility, as a source of revenue.
Micronations may claim a territory, usually a piece of personal property or uninhabitable land, but they do not have legitimate claims to territory and are not recognised by any state. Some exist solely in concept and may possess little more than a website. Citizens of these micronations may be spread out across the world and interact primarily online.
Some micronations have attempted to claim territory in outer space, but an outer space treaty states that no one can claim space as a territory.
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Micronation history
Micronations, also referred to as model countries and new country projects, are small, self-proclaimed entities that assert their sovereignty as independent states. However, they are not acknowledged as such by any recognised sovereign states or supranational organisations. The concept of micronations emerged in the late 20th century, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s, with several micronations established worldwide, often driven by anti-establishment beliefs.
The Principality of Sealand, a fort in the North Sea off the coast of England, serves as an early example of a micronation. Abandoned by the British Royal Navy in the 1950s, it was occupied by a British family in 1967 and has been run as an independent micronation since. Another early instance is the Caribbean island of Redonda, claimed by early 20th-century novelist Matthew Phipps Shiell, which represents a completely fictitious claim to sovereignty.
The motivations behind the creation of micronations vary and include theoretical experimentation, political protest, artistic expression, personal entertainment, and, in some cases, the conduct of criminal activity. Some micronations are founded based on historical anomalies, such as the Principality of Seborga, established in 1963 by Giorgio Carbone, who asserted that Seborga had never been legally included in the Kingdom of Italy due to its sovereignty.
While micronations may issue citizenship, currency, passports, and other official documents, these are not legally or diplomatically recognised. Many micronations exist solely online, with their communities interacting through social media and forums, sharing ideas, and gaining inspiration for establishing their own micronations. Despite their lack of legal recognition, micronations continue to attract attention and interest from individuals seeking to express their unique identities and beliefs.
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Frequently asked questions
A micronation is a small, self-declared nation that mimics a sovereign state and adopts the protocols of nations, but lacks legal recognition by any sovereign state and a legal basis in international law for its existence.
Yes, you can set up your own laws as soon as your micronation is formed. However, it's important to note that micronations are not legally recognised and do not have a basis in international law, so the laws you create may not be enforceable or protect you from the laws of the country you are physically located in.
Some examples of micronations include the Republic of Lamb, founded by Uri Geller on an uninhabited island off the coast of Scotland, and the Principality of Seborga, founded by Giorgio Carbone, who claimed that Seborga was never legally included in the Kingdom of Italy.
Motivations for creating micronations include theoretical experimentation, political protest, artistic expression, personal entertainment, and sometimes criminal activity.
Starting a micronation can involve declaring independence, creating a constitution, and establishing laws, government, and national symbols. You can also join online communities dedicated to micronations, such as the r/micronations subreddit, to seek advice and connect with others in the micronationalism hobby.
