Micronational superpower

"Micronational superpower" is a contentious term used to refer to a micronation that has reached a level of great status, influence or even hegemony in the intermicronational community or a particular sector. The term is also used to describe micronations on certain micronational classification systems which have reached the highest possible grade in their criteria. In practice, however, the term is generally applied to micronations which have achieved notability (fame) or soft influence over the intermicronational community or a particular sector, as dominating a sector through force is seldom possible. As most micronations operate online, hegemony is generally achieved in a sector through administrative power—such as being able to exclude, ban or condemn a particular micronation from a certain diplomatic forum—or diplomatic pressure. Micronations which have achieved an almost universally-known, celebrity-like status in a particular community—such as the Big Three—have also been called superpowers. The term is controversial as it is often a self-applied label without any basis in reality.

Definitions

There is no single accepted definition of a "micronational superpower" within micropatriology; instead, there are several ways by which a micronation may be dubbed a superpower:

• Hegemony—as most micronations operate online, hegemony is generally achieved in a sector through the possession of administrative power such as being able to exclude, ban or condemn a particular micronation or micronationalist from a certain diplomatic venue or website. Micronations generally achieve this status through gaining a positive or professional reputation to be elected to powerful offices. This includes holding office in a large or prestigious intermicronational organisation, or formerly being the administrator of a sector-like website or forum, such as micronations.net or MicroWiki.

• Respect—micronations which have achieved a level of great respect in a sector have also be deemed micronational superpowers. Respect may be achieved through various different initiatives, but most such micronations are generally seasoned and well-developed. Micronations with a large enough level of respect may be highly influential in initiating demands, challenging authority or other micronations, and unveiling treaties or exposés against other micronations, organisations or micronationalists.

• Intermicronational popularity—micronations which have achieved an almost universally-known, celebrity-like status in the intermicronational community. This is regardless of community participation, although most well-known micronations are active within the micronational community to at least some extant. Such micronations have received macronational media coverage and typically have an entry on Wikipedia. Most of these micronations generally assert influence by inspiring or encouraging micronationalists, and simply being known to almost all; many have also hosted or attended micronational summits. Examples include the Big Three micronations: Hutt River, Molossia and Sealand.

• Highly developed—micronations which have been regarded as highly developed have been dubbed micronational superpowers. Highly developed micronations regarded as superpowers generally have numerous citizens, vast diplomatic relations, an exceptional budget, organic culture, an economy and various advanced industries. Longevity has also been considered important in identifying highly developed and dedicated micronations. Various classification systems for micronations declare micronations which have achieved the highest possible grade as micronational superpowers.

• Ubiquity—micronations which have become commonplace (omnipresent) in a particular sector have also been called superpowers. Like the almost universally-known micronations, ubiquitous micronations assert their influence through a popular, celebrity-like status in a particular sector. Such micronations have generally achieved this status through possessing a positive reputation in their respective community, often attained by having highly dedicated online representatives, vast participation in intermicronational organisations and a relaxed diplomatic policy.