Comments on: Owning Your Own Country

By: Rudy Kuzniar

Rudy Kuzniar — Mon, 16 May 2011 09:04:34 +0000

I have become very interested in the prospects for starting a virtual country or somehow forming my own land-based country. As you mention, getting the intent and purpose right up front is critical.

Your line of thinking is precisely the type of post I appreciate, both instructive and interesting. Its time we begin to break apart the current power structure and try something new. Don’t stop the excellent posts!

Rudy

By: Jim Bennett

Jim Bennett — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:09:10 +0000

Basically, there is a world market for sovereignty services. These include issuance of currency, banking and incorporation venues, and passports. They are sold or rented unbundled, with small providers such as the Caymans or Panama marketing most aggressively. However, they are at one end of the spectrum, competing on price (both acquaisiton price and ongoing costs, such as taxes), convenience of obtaining, and high privacy. The USA and the European Union compete on features such as stability, protection, and, on currency, the size of the installed base.

As Terry notes above, the sovereignty provider’s cartel has already been aggressive about curbing competition in unbundled, retail competition for single sovereignty services.

You are suggesting greatly expanding the supply from the current 200+ providers, and making such services available on a wholesale basis. They form, in effect, a seller’s cartel, with the UN as their trade association or union. I suspect it is highly unlikely that the cartel will permit carte blanche dilution of the value of their assets, especially in strained economic times. The history of would-be sea-based competitors such as Atlantis or Sealand suggests that they will use as much state force as is needed to maintain the oligopoly.

By: Ruth Howard

Ruth Howard — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:46:37 +0000

Rising water levels?!Thinking particularly of Dubai’s current construction projects.

By: Terry Wynn

Terry Wynn — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 18:45:26 +0000

The value of owning a country (other than recreation and vanity)is being able to do things locally that can be transferred globally. The example cites banking and taxation. Manufacturing/research that would cross regulations in 1st world countries are another.

However, all of these require “shipping” to 1st world countries, either through banking and moneylaundering laws, taxation policy, and trade regulation. As Neteller showed, the US can neutralize offshore banking for most when they desire it.

Recognition is all, and recognition is granted from the big boys, not created by island building nations. And the big boys will guard their previledges well.

And you forgot one key nation function DEFENSE. Somali pirates anyone?