Categorizing micronations
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Micronational categories
There are two primary categories of micronations. Simulationist nations, which attempt to simulate a government, and secessionist nations which attempt to secede from their host nation to form an actual government. These two categories of nations are incompatible because you cannot both simulate a government, and be a launched government at the same time. Much in the same way, a video game cannot be beta testing and fully released at the same time.
A postori states
An a postori state is a nation the borrows its ideology from naturally existing nations, rather than invented from whole cloth as a unique system of government. This kind of state is the most common type of state for a number of reasons. Foremost, it is the easiest type of micronation to build, as it has historical precedent and has evolved or optimized naturally over time. A recreation of the united states senate and federation of states on a micronational scale, or recreating a medieval system of heraldry are examples of a postori states.
A priori states
An a priori state is the exact opposite of an a postori state, thus a nation cannot be both. Nations of this category exist outside of the scope of normal governmental systems. They try to create a system that is unique, or unlike any naturally evolving national ideology. A nation that exists as a modern military dictatorship that gives heraldry titles, uses cookie dough as currency, separates their government houses into clans or gangs, or distributes all land evenly to each citizen; would be just a small number of examples of something an a priori state would do that an a postori state would not.
Multi-categorization
It is important to point out that a micronation may fit into multiple categorization groups, and may even fit into some subcategories. A nation for example could be a priori, secessionist, and heraldic at the same time. For example, this state might have a treasury full of Legos, collect 2 by 4 Lego bricks as taxes, build a castle, try to secede from the nation of Germany, and appoint a Lego minifig as his court jester and duke of the county of Arman. They might be incorrectly identified as a simulationist because of their use of Legos, and the appointment of inanimate objects as leadership. This does not change the fact that, in this example, they are attempting to secede from the nation of Germany, and obtain their own land. Their leader would be a secessionist despite their eccentricity. However, that state's claim to secessionism is dubious because of other actions they may perform in an international space. It is dependent on the arbitrary credibility of that nation.
Other sub-categories as listed in the simulationist section cannot be secessionist states by definition. For example, a cyberstate that exists only on the internet cannot secede from a nation. A secessionist claim from a cyberstate means nothing, as they own no land, do not attempt to own land, do not have a monopoly of violence in a territory, and cannot practically enforce laws. Among a litany of other issues.
Simulationist States
A simulationist is a person who designs or uses a simulation. Playing Age of Empires, for example, is simulationism. Nationstates is simulationist because it controls a nation like operation over time in a simulated environment. Doing the same in a pen and paper setting, or roleplaying a political leader in a nation of your own design is a simulationist action. Not all simulations are video games, however.
Some simulationist states attempt to recreate a function of government and maintain a status quo as a roleplay environment or community. Just as a group of students in a courthouse can recreate a famous legal case by acting it out, members of a simulationist state can reenact a nation's history. This is not limited to just replication. A nation can also simulate something outside of the norm like an experimental economic system, a nation built on a philosophic or religious ideology, or a nation of incomprehensible nonsense.
Secessionist States
A secessionist is a person who, as the definition implies, favors a formal and recognized withdraw of membership of their federated body, specifically a political state such as their macronation. When a micronation attempts to secede from their host macronation, so long as the attempt is physically possible, they become a secessionist nation. No matter how absurd the leader's function of government, they become secessionist by attempting to secede; by definition alone.
However, a secessionist state does not have the right to make the claim of independence or secessionism. Because the independence of a nation requires recognition of sovereignty by the body or community of the people at large, it is not enough for a secessionist person to simply claim secession of their macronation to have their micronation considered a secessionist state. There must be, an arbitrary amount of credibility to that claim. A nation that declares themselves seceding from Germany may not be a secessionist state if that nation still makes actions other states wouldn't make. In our previous example, attempting to trade in Legos in an international exchange would appear simulationist. That would be of course until a known and popular secessionist state take their Legos in exchange for a good or service. Then it becomes an entirely legitimate export, one of the most secessionist actions a micronation can perform.
In the same vein, however, this secessionist Lego trading micronation might proceed to declare war on other micronations. This makes the nation considered a simulationist immediately because it is functionally impossible for them to engage in the activities of war. As they lack a monopoly of violence, suitable weapons, manpower, etc... This nation despite its other actions would still be referred to as a simulationist state because it is partaking in war; an action that it is only capable of simulating or roleplaying.
Much like the difference between a priori and a postori states. A state cannot be both a simulationist and a secessionist, as the two are mutually exclusive.
Micronational subcategories
In addition to the broad categories, micronations may belong to one or more subcategories. These subcategories are made up of both systems of government, community organizational structure, and design philosophies. The following is not an exhaustive list of subcategories of a micronation, but it does contain many of the common ones.
Absurdstates
An absurdist state, or absurdstate, is a nation that enacts rules and regulations in a manner that is arbitrary, random, or otherwise nonsensical. These are almost always simulationist or parody micronations. For example, Almondria parodies an authoritarian communist micronation of Almendria. Almondria appoints almonds and peanuts into positions of leadership as a political commentary. Some states like Molossia have absurdist rules. Like their economic system backed by Pillsbury Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. Where one 30oz tube is divided into 5 Valora, further subdivided into 100 Futtrus.
Altstates
An alternate state, or altstate, is a nation that recreates a nation from history; either reenacting its execution of policies, replicating its form of government in a modern setting. They may also represent an alternate history or reality in which a nation from history won a war they may have lost, have undergone some turmoil, adopted another system of government, or any number of alterations to that nation's correct historical timeline. Not all altstates are simulationist nations, as it is possible to both replicate a historical system of government and secede from your host micronation. For example, a recreation of the Old Roman Republics or the Russian Empire.
Artstates
Artistic states, or artstates, are nations that seek to create a work of art through the expressive creation of a governmental system, representing an ideal world, a utopia, dystopia, fictional state, or country from a work in popular media. Like Norsefire from the V for Vendetta series, or Amestris from Fullmetal Alchemist. Not all artstates come from fictional works. Some may execute some archaic form of government and produce art. Some communities may create fictional languages for their citizens. Or create nations with a certain cohesive aesthetic. Often artstates do not attempt to be anything more than an expressive outlet and are thus simulationist nations.
Authoritarian States
An authoritarian state is a system of government lead by strong central leadership, such as an immutable oligarchy or single dictator. Authoritarian states have little political freedoms. In micronationalism, many new states take this action as a means to develop or mature the nation quickly. A single leader can enact laws, appoint leadership roles, and are not limited by the slow execution of bureaucratic mandates of more populous microstates. When a large nation exists for too long as an authoritarian state, it creates a situation where a single person has absolute say in all decision making actions, which leads to the disfavor of that person.
Commustates
A community state, or commustate, is a nation created to secede from their macronation for a political reason or difference in ideology. Ironically, commustates are often communist states, libertarian states, or anarchist communes. They attempt to build a new society apart from the nation they are resident, because of that ideological difference. Because many of these defector states are often separating from nations they view to be authoritarian, abusive, or otherwise oppressive; they are often libertarian, democrat, or left-leaning.
Cyberstates
A cyberstate is a nation that exists solely on the internet. As opposed to an engstate that might have elements of digital administration, a cyberstate attempts to manage citizenship, enforce the law, draft legislation, execute judicial duties, perform voting, and teller banking through a single online platform. Cyberstates insist that every registrar is a citizen of their nation and that they exist outside of tangibility. Cyberstates are almost always simulationist, as it is impossible to secede from a nation without land, or a monopoly of violence. E-stonia is the only nation that has taken this organizational philosophy seriously. Though it does enforce many of its policies in person, as that is unavoidable.
Democracies
A democracy is a system of government where people vote for legislation directly into implementation. This kind of democracy, called direct democracy, allows all matters of government action to be voted on directly. From the drafting and enforcing of a new law, the leadership of the nation, to military action. All issues the government faces require voting from citizenship. The rules of this voting system are implemented through a combination of legislative bodies, executive, judicial houses, and a mailable constitution.
Econostates
An economic state, or econostate, are states built in order to test or implement a unique economic system, currency, or system of taxation. Econostates when only existing to simulate the economic model to test its effectiveness are simulationist states. States may form a functional government and secessionist ideology, while still using an experimental economic model.
Engstates
An engineered state, or engstate, is a nation that seeks only to build a like-minded community of people; often to complete a project or build a structure. Most engstates are also cyberstates. The most notable engstate is Asgardia, which acts to build space-based citizenship. Often, engstates are engineered because of their impracticality to exist as a legitimate governmental system in the traditional sense. Like a government that: exists between earth and space, registers its citizen's preferential voting perform on a blockchain, or implements an instantaneous transfer of power through an autocratic computer system.
Ethnostates
An ethnic state, or ethnostate, is a state that practices ethnic nationalism. Most notably is the idea that ethnicity is an immutable and inherited characteristic. That a person belongs to a particular community of people determined by their ethnicity. Thus they share a kinship with those people, and it is their duty to perform actions in favor of those people and the expense of others outside of their cultural peers. This may manifest as the removal of those who do not share that ethnicity, or the cultural assimilation of minority ethnic groups into the majority. The most memorable ethnostate is of course the German 3rd Reich of World War 2.
Heraldic States
A heraldic state is a state that applies heraldic title, displays heraldry, and enforces the hierarchic structure of a heraldic system in its aspects of government. Heraldry includes the design and study, of symbols, armorial bearings, and vexillology to apply to families, ranks, and pedigree. Achievements of one's actions or the actions of a member of their family are displayed within heraldic symbolism. Ultimately, its a system of government where the citizens with the most clout, social position, and leadership potential become administrators and legislators. Heraldic systems are common in the micronational community as it equally encompasses art and displays of individual personal achievement. It is a popular means of building up a micronational population, as titles, awards, and recognition are both entertaining and emotionally rewarding.
Philostates
A philosophical state, or philostate, is a nation that is developed from a single unifying ideology or philosophy. This philosophy can be as simple as defining the functions of government, as a philosophical concept. Such as; all actions a citizen takes should exist in harmony with other living things, or that the future of human destiny lies among the stars. Perhaps a government built on more complex philosophical struggles such as balancing morality with free will, coming to the realization that if humans do not have free will, then they are not responsible for their actions. Such a nation might, for example, legislate the rehabilitation of violent criminal offenders, in favor of incarceration.
Republics
A republic is a system of government where the actions a nation takes are known by all citizens of that nation. Normally, positions within the government are appointed through a democratic system of voting. The elected leaders are trusted by the citizens of the nation in order to make informed decisions on their behalf, under the assumption that the appointed leader has more political experience than the average people. Republic typically manifests as democratic congresses, parliamentary bodies, councils, oligarchies, or autocracies. The leaders of a republic are subject to removal by the public or their peers if they are determined to not be fit for the functions of leadership.
Simustates
A simulated state, or simustate, is a nation that partakes in a detailed simulation of the processes of running a nation. Simulated states normally take a piece of land on earth, examining it closely for changes in geography, weather, climate, and resources. They then could make a detailed list of exportable resources, populations, vehicles, citizens, crime rates, etc... These nations exist in communities of other simustates with the ability to trade between them, negotiate the building of international highways systems, aid for simulated weather events, and countless other means of interaction. In the lower end are websites like NationStates, CyberStates, and SimCountry. On the more complex end are things such as conworkshop planet, or Reddit shards.
Sociocracies
A sociocracy is a system of government that is made of a social group containing distinct organizational divisions. Rather than voting, like in a democracy, leadership ask permission or consent from the citizenship to move forward with legislation or decision making. Often, a sociocractic government is made up of people who all know each other, and both organizational hierarchy and transfer of power are simplified to asking the community what their preferences are. Most small population micronations are sociocracies out of necessity because they lack an active population to execute a proper voting system.
Theocracies
A theocracy is a form of government under an official capacity is lead by a human representative of a deity. The divine right to rule is provided to the human ruler by that deity, making them an infallible source of wisdom, incapable of making incorrect decisions as they speak on behalf of an omniscient, omnipotent creator. This ruling human insists that they only act as a middleman between their deities subjects and the deity themselves. Theocracies often manifest as monarchies, where a dynasty of sons succeed their father's right to rule; as patriarchies, where it is women instead, or by direct appointment of a successor.