Serbia: The world's youngest country

[Hababi]

ITT Discuss Serbia, which has now separated from Montenegro to form its own country. Think it's a good thing for them? And what about Montenegro?

I say to it--any country with the word "and" in its name (former Serbia and Montenegro is stupid and bound to fail).

Also, for the heck of it, do you think America would be better off if it split into smaller regional states? What do you think the implications of such an action would be?

to Serbia, article free.

[PepsiMetal]

Serbia didn't split from Montenegro, Montenegro split from serbia. But finally Montenegro got its independence. They've been wanting it ever since bosnia, slovenia, and croatia got theirs.

As long as Serbia doesn't commit genocides again, it's all good.

I don't think America would be better off if split in regional parts. The economy for some parts would be amazing, and for others it would probably collapse. A big no-no. If the country works fine, there's no reason to split it. Yugoslavia just didn't work at all after Tito's death.

[Chrysostom]

National self-determination is a good thing. It'll be interesting to see how the fledgling nation develops over the next couple of decades or so.

[Atomic Rain]

I think it'd be better for the world if america was split into maybe west, mid, east

That way we could keep out of the middle bits and still enjoy the weather

I expect the east and west bits would have democrat presidents, so it'd be better for them too

However, america would lsoe its economic and military domination of the world

[nowhesingsnowhesobs]

Wales and Scotland becoming independent

haha, I don't see how anybody could even entertain that idea.

[Hababi]

That's also basically what I see happening in Iraq at some stage, although the process would be even more bloody there.

We'd probably have set it up ourselves if it wasn't for Turkey opposing it. Of course, I say screw Turkey, partition Iraq into three sections, one for Shia, one for Sunni and one for the Kurds, and give each a great deal of autonomy.

Oh and a prediction: if the Supreme Court ever rules that it's Unconstitutional to ban gay marriage (what a dark purple day that would be), there will be a significant push for autonomy in the south and possibly midwest.

[-1up!-]

Personally I'd support small regional states. The range and variety of opinions in a country is what keeps democracies from having large projects and changes - IMO it kills progressism. Take Canada for example - there are many distinctions and disagreements between provinces, many of them accusing the federal government of favoring Quebec in some issues; given our distinct culture, Ottawa has no choice but to bend over backwards to accomodate opposites such as more left-leaning, progressist Quebec and the more conservative Prairies. Same with the US.

Don't get me wrong: variety and multiculturalism are things I highly value among a population. But in democracy they also create a constant quest for compromise between quarrelling interests, which in turn creates fixism and kills large projects in a society.

Smaller regional states also give more importance to the individual, given that their vote counts for "more". It could be a theoretical solution to voter apathy. It also makes it easier for social movements/political parties to appear and prosper since they don't need to get as much attention to gain some weight in the democratic process, effectively encouraging social and political dynamism.

[Chrysostom]

Originally Posted by Broadway Danny Rose

Oh and a prediction: if the Supreme Court ever rules that it's Unconstitutional to ban gay marriage (what a dark purple day that would be), there will be a significant push for autonomy in the south and possibly midwest.

Is it that much of an issue in those parts of the US?

[-1up!-]

Originally Posted by Chrysostom

Is it that much of an issue in those parts of the US?

quoted for shared interest: an issue important enough that it would stir nationalist movements?

[Hababi]

Originally Posted by Chrysostom

Is it that much of an issue in those parts of the US?

I think so. Many of those states have overwhelmingly passed statutes explicitly stating marriage as between one man and one woman, and where the Christian population runs above 80%, which it does there, there's going to be a HUGE backlash.

[Iskandar]

Yugoslavia should never have been one country, honestly.

Originally Posted by Broadway Danny Rose

Oh and a prediction: if the Supreme Court ever rules that it's Unconstitutional to ban gay marriage (what a dark purple day that would be), there will be a significant push for autonomy in the south and possibly midwest.

Why did you have to bring this up?

[Cain]

Originally Posted by Broadway Danny Rose

Also, for the heck of it, do you think America would be better off if it split into smaller regional states? What do you think the implications of such an action would be?

The American Civil War.

Smaller regional states also give more importance to the individual, given that their vote counts for "more". It could be a theoretical solution to voter apathy. It also makes it easier for social movements/political parties to appear and prosper since they don't need to get as much attention to gain some weight in the democratic process, effectively encouraging social and political dynamism.

In America this concept of democracy died out with the Confederacy. Leave it to zerokewl to bring it up in an mx politics thread as a viable option.

[Iskandar]

Originally Posted by SubtleDagger

Why did you have to bring this up?

Get used to it. He brings it into every thread. :-/

Originally Posted by The Dropper

Get used to it. He brings it into every thread. :-/

I'd like it if every thread didn't get derailed by that kind of stuff then. :|

[Cain]

Originally Posted by SubtleDagger

I'd like it if every thread didn't get derailed by that kind of stuff then. :|

Well it hardly matters here. I myself am simply amazed that he would bring this up when he claims to have some understanding of history.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I was surprised they had the vote so soon before the World Cup, since they're competing as a unified nation, and it's events like that that tend to bring out feelings of cultural unity in a nation.

Actually that's not a surprise at all, it makes perfect sense. :-/

I think Europe will remain roughly the same in future; I think it's got to the point where most of the Eastern nations' borders are so fluid that further division would create as many problems as it will solve.

Originally Posted by Cain

Well it hardly matters here. I myself am simply amazed that he would bring this up when he claims to have some understanding of history.

No for the love of Christ don't bait him you guys will start arguing about it ugh

[Cain]

Originally Posted by SubtleDagger

No for the love of Christ don't bait him you guys will start arguing about it ugh

No I won't. Besides, I was talking about his point of the Americans splitting up into different states, not gay marriage.

[Reaganista]

Also, for the heck of it, do you think America would be better off if it split into smaller regional states? What do you think the implications of such an action would be?

that would be like the worst thing that could ever possibily happen

good thing there's no way it's going to