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Polonius wrote:I dont' think its the fault of elections, but rather elections in States that aren't also nations.

Imagine telling Scotland and Texas that they are now a Soveriegn State, and a plebescite would be held to determine who was their new president.

How happy would the Scots be about that result?

Well, we'll find out when they have their referendum on independence in a few years!

hmm, I should have clarified:

Imagine telling texas and scotland that they are now cominbed into one soveriegn state.

Texas has five times the population, and the new government will almost assuredly lean heavily texas. Scotland would not be thrilled.

that's basically what a lot of post-colonial States did.

Oh, I wasn't being sarcastic. I just thought you might have been unaware of Scotland's potential bid for independence.

Albatross wrote:Oh, I wasn't being sarcastic. I just thought you might of been unaware of Scotland's potential bid for independence.

Yeah, I'd heard.

It just sort of proves my point: that when there are serious cultural differences between communities in a State, the tension between them might make elections pointless unless there is rule of law.

A better example might be to say to both Wales and Scotland, "congratulations, you're both independent. But you have to form one new independent country." that makes Scotland pretty happy, but pisses the Welsh right off.

Now, couple that with a tendency of colonial powers to use a minority to help run the colony, and you get all kinds of nasty backlash (see Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Iraq, etc.)

purplefood wrote:

Orlanth wrote:

Saying that the Canadians have a perfect defence. They need to place signposts at the south border of Montana saying 'Welcome to Canada'. Then another at the Canadian border saying 'North Pole'.

It's brilliant...

and effective!


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Albatross wrote:Oh, I wasn't being sarcastic. I just thought you might have been unaware of Scotland's potential bid for independence.

Be careful what you wish for. Combining the critical elements of TexMex and haggis...no one said how vortex bombs are made. The Great Crusade could start. Who knows, is Rick Perry really the nascent Spass Emprah? It would explain all the mistakes with the primarchs...