Micronationalism

Have you ever dreamed of being the king of your own country? For many, this remains a childhood fantasy, but some turn their utopia into reality by declaring the independence of their very own country, also known as a micronation. Over the past two decades, interest in micronations has significantly increased, partly due to the internet. Journalists often focus on the most eccentric examples, leading to a stereotypical image: micronationalists are seen as imaginative role-players or narcissistic megalomaniacs. However, not every Grand Duke or Emperor seeks self-glorification. Every micronationalist has a unique story; some are charlatans, others are dreamers or world-changers.

At Polination Perugia, an international conference for micronations in 2015, Belgian author and journalist Julien Oeuillet described micronationalism as follows: “When people want to address a social issue, they often choose well-known methods such as political parties or nonprofit organizations. But the true creatives establish their own country. And if they do it cleverly, they can generate more attention for their message in their own unique way.”1

The following text is an in-depth analysis of micronationalism, based on the paper “Oplichters, dromers en kleine wereldverbeteraars: een reis doorheen 200 jaar micronationalisme.” written by Niels Vermeersch on August 14, 2024, for a lecture at the University of Leuven.

Micronationalism

Micronations have various definitions, but the term was first used in an article in The New York Times on March 28, 1976. The media has generally described micronations as countries that are not internationally recognized, often using titles like “Fake Country” or “Imaginary Nation.” This description is somewhat superficial, as it usually compares micronations to certain separatist regions like Transnistria. However, these regions have some form of control over their territory and partial recognition (for example, by Russia). French author Bruno Fuligni argues in his book Royaumes d’aventure: le premier atlas des micronations that many countries have their roots in micronationalism. Driven by a desire for autonomy, freedom, and under the influence of colonialism, many 18th- and 19th-century adventurers would fall under the term “micronationalism,” such as the short-lived Kingdom of Corsica (1736) or the various pirate republics.2

Some micronations, like Hutt River and Sealand, consider themselves true sovereign states and avoid the term micronation. In rare cases, micronationalists are driven by a sense of superiority; driven by their ego, they lose touch with reality and genuinely believe they are legitimate heads of state.

In recent years, some academics have focused on the phenomenon of micronations. Two leading experts are Prof. Harry Hobbs (University of Sydney) and Prof. Sandra Petermann (University of Mainz). In his book Micronations and the Search for Sovereignty, Prof. Harry Hobbs has the most accurate definition of a micronation: “self-declared nations that perform and mimic acts of sovereignty, and adopt many of the protocols of nations, but lack a foundation in domestic and international law for their existence and are not recognized as nations in domestic or international forums.”3 Most micronations have national symbols, stamps, a currency, a territory, passports, a government, and some even have embassies or a football team. Prof. Petermann focuses primarily on the personal motives behind establishing a micronation. In August 2023, she presented her research at the MicroCon EU conference in Ypres, but her findings have not yet been formally published.4

Micronationalism is diverse and constantly evolving, making it difficult to provide a complete overview of all micronations. Despite the accessibility of the internet, this remains a challenge. There are an estimated 300 to 400 active micronations, ranging from medieval villages seeking to boost tourism, to artists or teenagers who establish their own state as a hobby. This estimate is supported by Prof. Hobbs and Prof. Petermann. In the book Micronations and the Search for Sovereignty, there is an appendix listing 135 micronations, although Hobbs emphasizes that this list is far from complete. A current world map of all micronations seems like an impossible task. The list of micronations on Wikipedia is often used as a reference, but many of them have been inactive for years. The most notable attempt found online is a world map created by the founder of the British micronation Sohnland. Since Sohnland is active in various online communities, they frequently receive requests to update the existing map. However, many of these micronations disappear within the first six months of their founding, and new ones emerge every day. Therefore, mapmakers must make a choice about which micronations have enough maturity to be included on a map. In 2023, the website “The Micronational Directory” was launched, a structured database of about 1,000 micronations with basic information and links to websites, organizations, wikis, etc.5

But why is there such a constant ebb and flow of micronations? Within micronationalism, the six-month period is used as a threshold, as most projects end before reaching that milestone. The cause is not hard to find: it’s much more fun to establish your own micronation and be the leader than to become a citizen of an existing micronation. Founders are not inclined to relinquish their “power,” which often leads to inactive citizens because they cannot contribute. Over time, the founders lose interest, a phenomenon known as “the micronational burnout.” The most successful micronations are run like small organizations. The chairman is the head of state, the secretary is the Prime Minister, the treasurer is the Minister of Finance, the website manager is the Minister of Multimedia & Communication, etc.

For those who want to delve deeper into the subject, MicroWiki is a good resource.6 This online encyclopedia was founded in 2005 and contains more than 211,000 pages, primarily targeting hobby micronationalists aged 13 to 18. The articles are mainly created by the micronationalists themselves, mainly to promote their micronation within the online community. There are also Facebook groups, with “Micronations and Alternative Polities”7 (since 2011) and “Micronations and Royal Houses”8 (since 2017) being the most well-known.

THE PROTO-MICRONATIONALISTS (19TH CENTURY)

Most micronationalists regard Gregor McGregor and Joshua Abraham Norton as the founding fathers of modern micronationalism, as unlike other 19th-century adventurers, they had no intention of establishing a state.

Gregor McGregor: self-proclaimed prince and scammer

Gregor McGregor (1786-1845) can be compared to a modern crypto scammer, so adept at “fake news” that even a U.S. presidential candidate would be impressed. After the Napoleonic Wars, this Scottish adventurer tried his luck in the Venezuelan War of Independence. When McGregor returned to London in 1820, his handsome looks and exotic tales made him a welcome guest in British high society. However, he soon struggled to maintain his luxury lifestyle. In 1821, McGregor spread the story that he had been chosen by the indigenous people of the Mosquito Coast as their Cazique, the local title for prince. He renamed his land Poyais and sought investors and settlers.

The story was eagerly accepted, and his title further underscored his already exotic status. Certificates and bonds from the Bank of Poyais sold briskly. Everything went well until 1823 when around 200 settlers departed for the new land, only to arrive in a swampy, mosquito-infested area. The island’s inhabitants had never heard of their supposed Cazique. Only about 50 settlers returned to London alive. When McGregor was exposed, he fled to France and later to South America. His fictional land still earned him two million pounds.9

Joshua Abraham Norton: local idiot or idealist?

The story of American Joshua Abraham Norton (1818-1880) is quite different. On September 17, 1859, the San Francisco Daily Evening Bulletin received a proclamation in which Joshua declared himself “Norton I, Emperor of the United States.” Strangely enough, the newspaper went along with the story and published the article. Soon, the self-proclaimed emperor became a local celebrity. Anyone organizing a significant event in San Francisco made sure the emperor was on the guest list. Unlike McGregor, Norton did not become wealthy and even lived in hidden poverty. However, his popular status earned him many free benefits to sustain his livelihood.

By today’s standards, Norton might be described as the “village idiot”. The newspaper publishers saw an opportunity in Norton to influence public opinion in their favor through his decrees. But his influence should not be underestimated! He advocated for Chinese immigrants and played a role in the establishment of the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge. When historians think of the League of Nations (1919), they usually think of President Woodrow Wilson, but according to the “Emperor Norton Trust,” it was Emperor Norton who first contacted European powers to establish a “League of Nations.”10

A fun anecdote: In 1867, an officer arrested the self-proclaimed emperor for public insanity. The outcry was so great that Norton was released with an official apology from the police. True to his style, Norton granted the officer an imperial pardon. From then on, Emperor Norton was officially greeted whenever officers encountered him on the street.11

Many micronationalists celebrate his birth or death date as a national holiday. At MicroCon 2022 Las Vegas, the “Emperor Norton Award” was established to recognize those who have made a significant impact on the development of micronationalism. This award is typically given every two years and is considered the most prestigious prize a micronationalist can receive worldwide. In 2022, Belgian micronationalist Niels Vermeersch was honoured with this award.12

MICRONATIONALISM AS RESISTANCE AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT (20TH CENTURY)

Although the term “micronation” first appeared in a news article in 1976, the 20th century witnessed the emergence of micronations resembling those we recognize today. Characteristic of the first micronations of this era is that most were acts of protest against the government. Among them, Hutt River (1970-2020) and Sealand (1967) are the most iconic. Both never considered themselves micronations but rather sovereign nations.

Hutt River (Leonard Casley): from farmer to royal tax evader

Starting in the 1930s, the Australian government encouraged farmers to produce wheat, leading many to invest heavily in new lands. One of these farmers was Leonard Casley (1925-2019), who owned a farm in Hutt River, near Yallabatharra. In the 1960s, the bubble burst, and in 1969, Leonard received shocking news: out of his 6,000 hectares of wheat, he was only allowed to sell the produce from 100 hectares. About 20,000 Australian farmers were unable to repay their loans. Casley’s battle began as he sought compensation from the Australian government. After being repeatedly rebuffed, he took drastic action. Citing an interpretation of the Treason Act of 1495, he justified his decision to declare himself Prince of the new sovereign state of Hutt River. When his declaration of independence was ignored, Casley sent a telegram in 1977 to the governor, declaring war, only to send another telegram the next day announcing a ceasefire. Whether the governor ever read these telegrams is unknown. But behind this move was a rationale: according to Casley, a country that has never been conquered, under the Geneva Convention (1949), deserves respect from other nations. And since he himself ended the war and was not defeated, the Australian government would be obliged to recognize and respect Hutt River’s sovereignty.

As bizarre as this story may sound, Casley never paid taxes again until his death. Meanwhile, he expanded his Principality, even building a museum and monument in his honour, which attracted droves of tourists every year13—about 60,000 in the early years and still around 20,00014 toward the end. After his death in 2019, Hutt River survived only a year. His son and successor faced a back tax bill of nearly 3 million dollars, leading him to put the farm up for sale.15

Sealand (Paddy Roy Bates): a pirate radio station in the North Sea

Across the ocean, on an abandoned naval platform in the North Sea, British man Paddy Roy Bates (1921-2012) began his fight against the British government in 1967. During World War II, seven naval forts were built in the North Sea, just outside British territorial waters. From the 1950s, these abandoned forts attracted the attention of pirate radio operators, who saw them as ideal locations for their activities. In 1967, Paddy Roy Bates initiated his battle against the British government from one of these abandoned naval platforms, known as Roughs Tower.

The catalyst for Sealand’s declaration of independence was the Marine Broadcasting Offences Act of 1967, which deemed pirate radio stations illegal. Bates disagreed with this and, to maintain his pirate radio station, declared Roughs Tower independent. The British government ordered the forts to be dismantled, but the Ministry of Defence was concerned about the weapons arsenal on Bates’ tower. A secret mission was planned to blow up the self-proclaimed principality, but a press leak led the Ministry to shelve those plans.

Soon after, Bates fired warning shots at the British minesweeper HMS Egeria, and in 1968, he even fired a pistol at workers repairing a buoy near the tower. Back on the mainland, Bates was arrested and brought before a judge. However, the judge ruled that the incident occurred outside British territorial waters and thus fell outside their jurisdiction. Bates interpreted this ruling as a de facto recognition of Sealand’s sovereignty.

In 1978, Sealand experienced a coup attempt when Alexander Achenbach, along with several German and Dutch mercenaries, tried to take over the principality. Bates’ son Michael was taken hostage, but Bates retook the tower by force, freed his son, and imprisoned the coup plotters. To secure Achenbach’s release, a German ambassador had to negotiate with Sealand, which Bates again saw as de facto recognition.

Today, Sealand is the world’s most well-known micronation, frequently appearing in various media. Bates capitalized on this by monetizing the principality: coins, passports, and stamps became sought after by collectors, and to this day, you can buy noble titles on Sealand’s website shop. For almost 600 euros, you can call yourself a duke. If you start your own micronation, you can even call yourself a king for free. However, such titles only have the value you give them yourself, as they are recognized nowhere except in Sealand. Bates’ son Michael is now the prince, and the third generation is already prepared to take over.

But the past few decades have not been without challenges for Sealand. In the 1990s, Sealand passports were misused in human trafficking, and in the early 21st century, the principality became a data storage haven. With the company HavenCo, the Bates family tried to offer their infrastructure for server storage, especially for gambling websites, pornographic material, etc. The principality was almost sold to The Pirate Bay, but the sale ultimately fell through. And today, the Bates family remains up-to-date, having installed solar panels to mine cryptocurrencies.16 17

The British government, however, continues to ignore the principality. Officially, there is no land in the North Sea, only a structure. But this very stance reaffirmed Roy Bates in his belief that Sealand was a sovereign state. For this reason, Sealand refused to call itself a micronation, and the term caused some frustration. It was therefore surprising that Prince Michael Bates was one of the speakers at an online lecture on micronationalism by the Glasgow University Politics Society in 2021. When asked (by the author of this text) about his views on micronationalism, the prince replied, “I have nothing against micronations, but I see them more as hobby projects. My father founded Sealand before the term micronation was even invented, so we’ve been a state from the beginning. Moreover, I have to maintain a tower in the North Sea, and that costs a lot of money. Our status as a sovereign state is part of our business model, which allows us to secure the necessary funds and keep the memory of my father alive.”18

Ladonia (Lars Vilks): an artist’s battle against Swedish bureaucracy

Equally noteworthy as the stories of Sealand and Hutt River is that of Ladonia, a micronation founded by Swedish artist Lars Vilks (1946-2021). In 2007, Lars sparked international controversy with his satirical cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad, which resulted in a fatwa and several assassination attempts. As a result, he was under continuous protection by state security. In 2021, Lars died in a car accident, the investigation into his death was concluded, but the results will not be released for 90 years due to state security reasons.

Within micronationalism, Lars is mainly known as a champion of free speech and for his creativity in challenging the Swedish government. In 1980, Lars began constructing Nimis, an artwork consisting mainly of wooden structures made from driftwood and planks and about 16,000 nails. There was just one problem: his towers were in the protected Kullaberg nature reserve, and he was ordered to remove them. This was odd, considering the artwork had been there for two years. This led to a legal battle between local authorities and Lars, who ultimately lost at the Swedish Supreme Court. However, Nimis remained standing, and despite a reprimand from the Swedish Minister of Justice, local authorities took no action. Lars interpreted this inaction as evidence that Swedish law did not apply to the land where Nimis stood, and he declared the independence of Ladonia.19 Until his death in 2021, the legal dispute with the Swedish government continued, but with about 40,000 tourists visiting annually, local authorities were in no hurry.20 Now, local authorities have taken the first steps to officially regularize the artwork in memory of Lars.21

Although Lars was not the head of state of his self-declared micronation, he had some influence in his ceremonial role as chancellor. His vision and creativity were largely adopted by the Ladonians. Everything comes from chaos, so chaos must also be part of the government structure, with more than 120 ministries. Their language consists of only two words (“waaaall” and “ÿp”), and their national anthem is the sound of a stone falling into the water.22 Lars’s artistic struggle has led to Ladonia currently having more than 32,000 registered citizens.

FROM A CHILDHOOD DREAM TO A UTOPIA (20TH CENTURY)

While Leonard Casley and Paddy Roy Bates waged their sovereignty battles against the government, a new form of micronationalism emerged during the same period. In a world where the internet was non-existent, the childish fantasy of a few teenagers led to the creation of two micronations that are still influential after 40 years: the Empire of Atlantium and the Republic of Molossia.

Molossia (Kevin Baugh): the friendly dictator

Kevin Baugh (b. 1962) and his friends were inspired by the film “The Mouse That Roared” (1959), a satirical comedy meant to critique the Cold War. The plot of the film can be summarized as follows: a small alpine state is in financial trouble and decides to declare war on the United States, reasoning that America always pays reparations after a victory.
Inspired by the film, 15-year-old Kevin and his friends founded the “Grand Republic of Vuldstein”. They had a flag, a map, currency, and a national anthem, but their self-proclaimed country existed mostly on paper. Despite his friends moving away, Vuldstein continued to exist with long periods of inactivity for about twenty years.

In 1998, Kevin purchased a piece of land in Dayton, Nevada. He never gave up on the Vuldstein project and decided to turn their paper-based project into reality so people could visit his country. Thus, the “Republic of Molossia” was born. His house became the “Government House”, his garden “the Norton Park”, and by 2024, annual tourist buses visit Molossia to see its border post, post office, jail cell, telephone exchange, movie theater, radio station, etc., all in a satirical style. Their Navy consists of a few inflatable boats, their space program involves some fireworks rockets, and the national railroad is a miniature train set crossing Norton Park. And just like in “The Mouse That Roared,” Molossia is at war with… East Germany. According to Molossia, former East Germany still exists in the form of an enclave on the Cuban island of “Cayo Blanco del Sur” that was not included in the reunification of Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall.23

Thanks to the internet, Molossia has gained global media attention and provided Kevin with the necessary fame. All family members are involved, and his First Lady supports him in his daily activities to run Molossia. Their wedding in 2009 was entirely themed around Molossia. In Nevada, he is an annual guest at the Nevada Parade in his presidential limousine, and there was even interest from Hollywood to base a film on the story of Molossia. But Kevin is very clear: “We’re not in it for money, we’re here to have fun.” When a journalist insisted that Kevin is actually an American citizen who, like everyone else, pays taxes, he responded: “No, this is Molossia. But we know that our neighbours are experiencing a severe economic crisis, and we are in solidarity, so we provide annual humanitarian aid to the US.”24
Kevin attended a micronation conference for the first time in 2012: Polination London. For most attendees, he was the big star, as Molossia was a source of inspiration for many to start their own micronation. In 2015, he organized the first American conference, MicroCon. Since then, it has become a biennial international event for micronations. With a career spanning more than 40 years in micronationalism, he also gave two presentations at MicroCon EU in Ypres (2022): “How to Deal with Media” and “How to Avoid Burnout as a Micronationalist”.25

Atlantium (George Cruickshank): belief in a borderless world

In 1981, Australian teenagers George Cruickshank (b. 1966), Geoffrey Duggan, and Claire Duggan decided to create their own state: Atlantium. After they went to university, the experiment quietly faded. But in 1999, George decided to dust off the project and relaunch Atlantium. He created a website, developed stamps, a currency, made a calendar with only 10 months, and purchased a piece of land just outside Sydney as the “administrative capital.” You can even rent a room there and it is listed on AirBNB as “the smallest country in Australia.”26

In 2022, Cruickshank declared in an interview with the BBC: “Atlantium isn’t striving for legal recognition as a sovereign state. It is intended to make people question the existence of traditional nation states” and “I’m smart enough to know that I’m not an actual monarch with real power.”27 The contrast with his fellow Australian Leonard Casley, Prince of Hutt River, could not be greater. Nonetheless, Atlantium has around 3,000 citizens in more than 100 countries, and George has been interviewed several times over the decades about micronations.28 In 2010, he, along with Dr. Judy Lattas from Macquarie University, organized the very first Polination Conference. This inaugural conference for micronations took place in Sydney, and he repeated the event in London (2012) and Perugia (2015).

The success of Atlantium is rooted in its early days in 1981, as George has remained true to the philosophy behind why he and his friends established their own state. In a time of international tensions, they believed that every person has the right to travel and live wherever they wish, that everyone should be free in a world without borders and nationalities. Atlantium provides an alternative for those who want to break away from these traditional structures.

The stories of George Cruickshank and Kevin Baugh differ on every level from those of Leonard Casley and Paddy Roy Bates. When each of them started their state, the internet did not yet exist, and they had no idea there were like-minded people in the world. Nor did they know the term “micronation.” But when their stories were combined in the media and reached the general public via the internet, this laid the foundation for the global phenomenon of hobby-micronationalism.

HOBBY-MICRONATIONALISM AND THE IMPACT OF THE INTERNET (2000-)

Hobby-micronationalism is often spoken of disparagingly. One of the first micronations to launch a website in the 1990s was Robert Ben Madison. In 1979, 14-year-old Robert founded his micronation Talossa in his bedroom. Talossa is best known for having developed its own language with over 100,000 words, but since 2013, Talossa has been considered to be inactive. However, there are still some online communities with Talossan citizens that keep the language alive. Robert was thus one of the first prominent micronations on the internet, and through him, the term “micronation” became known online. This annoyed others like Sealand and Hutt River, as Leonard felt that his sovereign state should not be categorized with “teenagers and their imaginary bedroom nations.”

Nevertheless, their stories suddenly reached a broad audience and inspired many others. In 2005, Fabian Schneider (b. 1988) launched MicroWiki, the first wiki on micronations, which is still active today with over 211,000 pages. But the real “internet boom of micronations” can be placed around 2008 when MicroWiki rapidly developed into an online community. Diplomatic relations emerged, as well as the first conflicts. During that period, 13-16 year olds were especially active on MicroWiki, and even today, it is mainly thanks to MicroWiki that young people take their first steps in micronationalism. The impact of this platform is far from negligible. Following the 2012 Polination conference in London, the first Facebook group for micronations (Micronations & Alternative Polities) was also established. The group is still active, but in the past 10 years, about a dozen other Facebook groups have emerged, as well as X (formerly Twitter) and to a lesser extent Reddit. Since 2020, Discord has also been gaining popularity.

Thanks to the internet, there is much smoother interaction among micronationalists, but it also highlights diversity and cultural differences. And as is often the case, behind a computer screen and keyboard, there are no borders. Resulting in some ideological conflicts between micronations. Some micronations, such as Molossia, have developed guides for new micronationalists to get started.29 The Belgian micronation Flandrensis also emphasizes how a micronationalist should behave. In 2009, Niels Vermeersch published the “Manifest of the Micronational Spirit,” a set of 13 guidelines on behaviour on social media and interactions with other micronations.30

Another risk of the internet is that anyone can publish anything, and others may take it as truth. The elections in America and the resulting polarization have already shown the impact of fake news. One micronation that makes clever use of this is Liberland. This micronation was founded in 2015 by Czech politician Vít Jedlička. Liberland consciously targets libertarian groups and is very popular in crypto and blockchain communities. The goal is to create a fiscal crypto-paradise, and Jedlička has a highly professional campaign team. Nevertheless, most of their success is based on fake news. Publicly shaking hands with a politician and asking for a selfie, taking a photo while walking towards the Croatian embassy, and then publishing online that he was invited to negotiate recognition. Their most outrageous action was in 2015 when representatives were sent to Turkey to promote Liberland citizenship to refugees for just $10,000. And where is that promised paradise? A small island in the Danube, about the size of a soccer field, with an old lookout tower used for hunting. It has no electricity or utilities and is mainly inaccessible. Yet Liberland continues to appear in various media, unfortunately indicating a lack of research by journalists who only want a fantastic story for their readers. Liberland thus has no contact with other micronations and is considered ‘persona non grata’ by most.31 In 2015, the French organization “LaMicroFrancophony” published the following statement: “We strongly condemn the despicable initiative of the leader of the Free Republic of Liberland, offering Syrian refugees to come to his claimed territory for $10,000. The Free Republic of Liberland is a media smokescreen that casts ridiculous and vain shadows at the expense of human distress on the ideals of most serious micronations and shows thus the full extent of the intellectual swindle it stands for.”32

Micronationalism is also very diverse. When MicroCon EU 2022 was organized in Belgium, various statistics were presented. A total of 66 micronations participated: 54.5% of their founders were under 18 years old, and 86.3% were from Europe and North America. Almost 90% of these founders were male, and 74% of admitted having trouble finding active ministers and citizens (though 66% admitted having trouble sharing their power). Also noteworthy was the presentation “Micronations and Foreign Affairs in Relation to Linguistic and Cultural Groups”33, where Canadian micronationalist Dominic Desaintes linked the development of micronationalism to certain language groups. For example, hobby micronationalism in Asia is on the rise but is mainly limited to Taiwan and Hong Kong, as many Asian countries still have internet censorship and micronationalism could be interpreted by the government as a threat. Spanish-speaking micronationalism was very prominent online from 2008-2012 but has almost completely disappeared for unclear reasons. French-speaking micronationalism has seen expansion since 2013 and since 2016 has been united in the organization “LaMicroFrancophony”.34 The same applies to micronations in Brazil, which have been grouping together in the “Conference of Santiago” since 2020.35 Since the war in Ukraine, Russian micronationalists have been cut off from Facebook, still the most used medium for micronations. Within micronationalism, English is most commonly used as the ‘lingua franca’. In recent years, there has also been a steady rise in German-speaking micronations, partly due to the influence of the micronations Duckionary and Obscurium, which have been organizing the Micro Euro Summit in the Czech Republic annually since 2020.36

It would be unjust to consider every micronation as merely a hobby project, but for most micronationalists, it remains a passion and for some even a lifestyle. In recent years, more and more micronationalists have translated their passion into social, societal, or ecological projects.

MICRONATIONALISM AS A TOOL FOR A SOCIAL, SOCIETAL, OR ECOLOGICAL PROJECT (2015-)

Belgian author and journalist Julien Oeuillet describes micronationalism as follows: “When people want to address a social issue, they often choose well-known methods such as political parties or non-profit organizations. But the real creatives set up their own country. And if they do it smartly, they can generate more attention for their message in a unique way”.37 In recent years, many micronations have evolved into remarkable projects with specific goals. Below is a selection of three micronationalists who have recently been present at conferences such as ‘Polination,’ ‘Micro Euro Summit,’ ‘MicroCon,’ or ‘LaMicroFrancophony.’

Aigues-Mortes (Jean-Pierre Pichon & Olivier Martinez): la vie en rose!

When thinking of micronationalism, Italian and French examples often come to mind, such as the Principality of Seborga (1963)38 39 or the Republic of Saugeais (1947) 40. Prof. Vargas-Sánchez points to another example with a tourism focus: the Principality of Aigues-Mortes. This French micronational project is much more than just a tourist initiative.41

Aigues-Mortes is an authentic medieval town located between the tourist hotspots of Nîmes and Montpellier. In 2011, Jean-Pierre Pichon and Olivier Martinez, from Paris, bought a vacation home in this town. Initially, they struggled to connect with the local people, but Olivier came up with a creative idea. In 2011, the year of the Monegasque royal wedding, they created a parody of Monaco and spread the news that a royal wedding would take place in Aigues-Mortes. The local population was immediately engaged with the humorous event featuring a “royal” couple arriving in a carriage. Jean-Pierre played the serious prince, while Olivier, in the role of “Princess Olivia,” was the opposite: rude and addicted to local rosé wine.42

What began as a humorous sketch was embraced by local entrepreneurs and the micronation was further developed. The motto “La Vie en rose” comes from Édith Piaf and refers to the pink hue of the surrounding lakes due to salt deposits and the flamingos that live there. The micronation organizes a biennial Royal Ball with the main condition that everything must be locally produced. In 2017, Aigues-Mortes launched its own currency43, the “Flamant,” which tourists can use in local shops, often with a discount. The micronation also has collaborations with winemakers and champagne producers, and the ball has become a hotspot for micronationalists.44

Slowjamastan (Randy Williams): escaping reality!

Since 2022, no micronation has received as much media attention as Slowjamastan. Its founder, Randy Williams, known as R Dub, is an American DJ and radio host who presents the show “Sunday Night Slow Jams.” Williams, who has visited all 193 UN-recognized countries, decided to create a micronation in response to the COVID pandemic. He purchased a piece of desert land in California for $19,000, located along Route 78, and put up a huge sign reading “The Republic of Slowjamastan,” declaring himself Sultan. The name is a combination of his radio show and Turkmenistan, the last country on his list.

Thanks to his media connections, Slowjamastan quickly gained worldwide publicity. It has a flag, currency, passports, and some unusual laws, such as banning crocs and having its own border patrol to check tourists.45 Like Randy visiting Molossia, many American tourists visited the new land during the pandemic. Sultan Randy humorously promotes his nation, including a failed attempt to enter NATO headquarters in Brussels. The Sultan of Slowjamastan is in a fierce battle against the “bullying” of the American government, showing up in court in full regalia for every traffic ticket.

In an interview with the New York Post, Randy described his creation: “Slowjamastan is a reprieve from the constant fighting and divisiveness so prevalent everywhere, at every moment. Our nation is an escape from all of this drama. We welcome everyone, and we specifically don’t use any labels: We are all simply ‘Slowjamastani!“.46 Thanks to widespread attention on the internet, Randy also inspires many young people to start their own micronations.

Flandrensis (Niels Vermeersch): micronation and environmental organization.

Prof. Harry Hobbs describes the Grand Duchy of Flandrensis as an ecological micronation aimed at raising awareness about climate change and Antarctica.47 In 2022, founder Niels Vermeersch (born 1988) was invited to speak at ChangeNow about ecological micronationalism and how it can serve as a tool to creatively address climate issues: “194 countries signed the Paris Accords, but it’s a sad reality that climate change is not their priority. I hope my story will inspire some people here at ChangeNow to start their own micronation where the environment and climate change will be their number one priority, because even with small actions they can make a change.”48 49

In 2008, Niels stumbled upon a Wikipedia article about Molossia. Inspired by Kevin Baugh and his research into other micronations like Atlantium and Sealand, Niels decided to establish his own micronation. As a history student with a passion for medieval Flanders, he created the Grand Duchy of Flandrensis, complete with a flag, coat of arms, and an initial constitution.

Niels describes the founding story as the most boring of all micronations because he was simply bored. What started as a creative project for a few weeks has now become sixteen years old. The project quickly gained momentum through the enthusiasm of Niels’ friend group. Political parties were soon established, elections were held, and the micronation even created its own currency, stamps, and newspaper.

In late 2008, Flandrensis joined the online MicroWiki community, where it established its first diplomatic treaties with other micronations, now totalling over 200. The micronation became a way for friends to stay connected with monthly activities like the Flandrensian Bowling Championship, the Flandrensian Games, The Smartest Flandrensian, and Flandrensis Master Chef.

Thanks to participation in Polination 2012 in London, the micronation first gained media attention, leading to the recruitment of new citizens beyond the friend group. However, by 2014, the micronation faced difficulties as other priorities (work, family, etc.) led to decreased interest in cultural and political activities. But the ecological aspect eventually saved the project.

In 2008, Niels searched for a piece of land that was ‘terra nullius’ and uninhabited, eventually settling on Antarctica, as the Antarctic Treaty (1959) prohibits countries from claiming territory between 90° and 120° (West-Antarctica). Since the treaty does not address claims by individuals, Niels interpreted that he could first claim it in his own name and then transfer it to Flandrensis. He chose four small islands and informed all the countries that had signed the treaty. No responses or protests were received.

In 2014, Flandrensis launched the motto “The only country in the world that doesn’t want its land inhabited by people!” This set Flandrensis apart from other micronations and helped attract many new citizens. The micronation now has 1,034 Flandrensians in 81 countries, 11 embassies and consulates, and in 2023 established a national football team. In 2024, they began creating their own language, ‘Flandriaans’, and since 2021, the micronation has been registered as a non-profit in Belgium as “vzw Groothertogdom Flandrensis” with a clear link to micronationalism in its statutes:

“Flandrensis is an association that focuses on climate change and unites people worldwide who are concerned about global warming. Flandrensis aims to inform, sensitize, and mobilize citizens regarding climate issues and to encourage them to implement climate-friendly and sustainable measures in their daily lives. An important focus is Antarctica. Flandrensis advocates for mobilizing global policymakers to take strong climate actions and to have the entire South Pole—within the spirit of the Antarctic Treaty—recognized as an internationally protected nature reserve to protect and restore its flora and fauna. To achieve this goal, Flandrensis uses the concept of a ‘micronation.’ That is, the association exhibits characteristics of a ‘state,’ but is not legally recognized as such. The concept of micronationalism is applied to creatively raise awareness about climate issues and does not aim for territorial recognition from the international community. As part of the micronational concept, Flandrensis has developed cultural symbols and features that help promote the organization’s cohesion and the achievement of its goals. Additionally, the micronation aims to let young people and adults develop their talents creatively in areas such as governance, media, artistic design, communication, etc., and to organize local (cultural and/or ecological) activities. The practical implementation of the micronation is outlined in an internal regulation.”50

Flandrensis’ activates as a micronation and as a small environmental organization are inextricably linked: what is known in Belgium as ‘Mooimakers’ (initiative to tackle litter and fly-tipping) is a knightly order in Flandrensis (the Order of the Melting Mountain) with corresponding medals, and every year, titles are awarded to deserving Flandrensian on Flandrensis Day. New citizens of Flandrensis agree to the “ecological pillars”: litter collection actions, short supply chains, vegetable gardens, composting, energy-saving measures, climate letters, etc. Flandrensian can have their gardens recognized as an “ecological sanctuary” with the title of governor. In short: minimizing the ecological footprint through all possible methods, even if they are not directly visible.

The Grand Duchy of Flandrensis shows that micronationalism can be a creative tool to highlight social and ecological issues. Although many micronations focus on the creation of their own state identity and achieving recognition, Flandrensis and its founder Niels demonstrate that micronationalism can also have a tangible impact on environmental awareness and action.

At MicroCon Las Vegas (2022), Niels received the “Emperor Norton Award.” When asked if the micronation is now a hobby or more, he replied: “Recognition of our sovereignty is not a priority; our message is more important. However, our micronation is a serious project for many Flandrensians, managed and approached professionally. We want to see how far we can take the development of Flandrensis. For me personally as the founder, it started as a hobby for two weeks, but I still enjoy it every day. Flandrensis has helped me grow in many ways, and I have made lifelong friends over the years.”51

Since the establishment of Flandrensis, there has been a strong increase in ecological micronationalism. In 2012, Olivier Touzeau, Emperor of the French micronation Agyalistan52, claimed the vast plastic soup (garbage patches) in international waters as “territory”. The micronation focuses heavily on raising awareness about plastic pollution and declares itself the only country in the world that hopes to disappear naturally.53 54 Also in France, beekeeper Jonathan Gobert created the Principality of Antophilia out of dissatisfaction with the government’s lack of effective policies to save the bee population. The principality is a bee-friendly environment, and Jonathan is the driving force behind the Treaty of Véron: a treaty where micronations worldwide commit to planting bee-friendly plants in their territories. And of course, the principality also has an export product to finance itself: self-made honey.55

Another example is the Italian micronation Bardo, founded by artist and animal rights activist Piercarlo Bòrmida. In 2024 while Belgian politicians debated whether animal rights should be included in the Constitution, this has been part of Bardo’s Constitution since 2020. The micronation also serves as a sanctuary for neglected and abused animals. On the farm and the surrounding land, all these animals can move freely. The micronation also organizes many workshops for artists, but once in Bardo, visitors must also regard the animals as equals.56

CONCLUSION: UNKNOWN IS UNLOVED?

For over 50 years, micronations have been established for various purposes: disagreement with the government, publicity, artistic projects, raising awareness about climate change or LGBTQ+ rights, or simply as a fun hobby. International law and treaties are interpreted to legitimize sovereignty, and we have micronations in deserts, on platforms in international waters, from Antarctica to idyllic villages, and even in a teenager’s bedroom. Every day, new micronations are created that no one will ever read about online, in newspapers, or books, and every day, some of them disappear. Their existence remains confined to the founder and their immediate circle. It’s a pity because often there are some remarkable projects among them.

Over the past two decades, there has been significant attention given to micronations, although a brief analysis of the internet shows that journalists often limit themselves to the list of micronations found on Wikipedia, half of which no longer exist. Many times, it’s a copy-paste job from the internet, including ‘fake news’. The goal is often to entertain the reader with a sensational story and photos of someone in a cool costume. Fortunately, there are still journalists who dig deeper and become genuinely passionate about the phenomenon of micronationalism. Specifically in Belgium, Julien Oeuillet, Kasper Goossens, and in France, Marie-Béatrice Baudet have opened doors with extensive articles on various micronations. Thanks to the extensive reach of the internet, many people are inspired and see the story behind the micronation rather than just the façade.

The evolution over the past decade, where micronationalism is increasingly used as a tool to spread a message, has led to more academic attention. Since 2015, Professor Sandra Petermann has been present at almost every major event, and for several years, her students had to interview a micronationalist and write a paper. With the book “Micronations and the Search for Sovereignty,” Professors Harry Hobbs and George Williams have opened doors for further research.

Although there are many impressive examples, micronationalism remains largely unknown to the general public. The declaration of independence by the rebellious Ukrainian region of Donetsk made global headlines, while the declaration by the Italian village of Filettino against being merged with a neighbouring village was, in some international media, a humorous footnote. The fact that the principality of Aigues-Mortes launched its own currency does not make it to the global news. Micronationalists often have to contend with many prejudices held by the general public.

The limited breakthrough of micronationalism also relates to the fact that micronations face their own limitations, both legitimate and financial. The chance of a micronation being recognized by the UN is almost non-existent. However, the key to such recognition is purely political will. What if Sealand had been recognized by the British government in 1967? Would the concept of “seasteading,” small floating city-states in the ocean, have become a reality around 40 years later? The saying “money can’t buy happiness” unfortunately doesn’t apply in micronationalism because usually, the national bank consists of the founder’s wallet. The more professional and developed (certificates, passports, currencies, costumes, sports teams, landmarks, etc.), the greater the publicity. For example, the annual budget of Liberland is between $500,000 and $1,000,000. According to The Times, 1,200 people have reportedly paid $10,000 each for a passport.57 Flandrensis closed the fiscal year 2023 with a positive balance of €1,903 but manages to cover its annual costs through the sale of flags, stamps, and medals.

The future of micronationalism is hard to predict given its vast diversity. Hobby micronationalism will always exist, but increasingly, micronations such as Flandrensis, Aigues-Mortes, Ladonia, Lorenzburg, Hélianthis, Westarctica, etc., are registering as non-profit organizations. The success with young people also offers many opportunities. Micronationalism fits perfectly within the Flemish government’s educational plan: civic participation, democracy, politics, human rights, geography, art, media, etc. It is the ideal tool for young people to develop their talents. When the Flemish Agency for Education announced in 2018 that the subject of Civic Behaviour would be part of the secondary school curriculum, the founder of Flandrensis sent an email suggesting the integration of micronationalism into the curriculum. There was no response to this proposal.

To conclude, perhaps there was also a micronationalist in the French philosopher René Descartes (1596-1650)? With his statement “Cogito, ergo sum” (I think, therefore I am), he essentially describes the modern micronationalist’s view: “What does recognition matter? I’ve founded my micronation, so it exists, and no one can dispute that.”

References
  1. J. Oeuillet, personal communication (Polination Conference, Perugia), 04 July 2015 ↩︎
  2. B. FULIGNI, Royaumes d’aventure: le premier atlas des micronations, Éditions des Arènes, 2016, Paris, page 11-14 ↩︎
  3. H. HOBBS & G. WILLIAMS, Micronations and the Search for Sovereignty, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2022, page 76 ↩︎
  4. https://microcon2023.com/microcon-ypres/ypres-agenda-final/ ↩︎
  5. https://www.themicronationaldirectory.com.ar/ ↩︎
  6. https://micronations.wiki/wiki/Main_Page ↩︎
  7. https://www.facebook.com/groups/276053562450782 ↩︎
  8. https://www.facebook.com/groups/257838521317574 ↩︎
  9. H. HOBBS & G.  WILLIAMS, Micronations and the Search for Sovereignty, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2022,  page 123-124 ↩︎
  10. https://emperornortontrust.org/ ↩︎
  11. https://cal170.library.ca.gov/january-21-1867-an-egregious-affront-to-the-emperor-2/ ↩︎
  12. Grand Duke Nicholas — Micronational Hall of Excellence (micro-hall.org) ↩︎
  13. H. HOBBS & G. WILLIAMS, Micronations and the Search for Sovereignty, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2022,  page 6-9 ↩︎
  14. J. OEUILLET, Le business des vanités: enquête sur les arnaques à la noblesse, Paris Ed. du Moment, 2015,  page 188 ↩︎
  15. https://www.principality-hutt-river.com/ ↩︎
  16. Hoe een radiostation een oorlogsgebied en micronatie werd: Sealand (businessam.be) ↩︎
  17. H. HOBBS & G.  WILLIAMS, Micronations and the Search for Sovereignty, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2022,  page 1-5 en 200 ↩︎
  18. M. BATES, personal communication (Micronational Forum, Glasgow University Politics Society), 18 February 2021 ↩︎
  19. H. HOBBS & G.  WILLIAMS, Micronations and the Search for Sovereignty, Cambridge,  Cambridge University Press, 2022, page 100 ↩︎
  20. https://www.ladonia.org/ ↩︎
  21. Y. BERTJENS, personal communication, 09 Juli 2024 ↩︎
  22. J. JOELSEN &  J. JACOBSON, Mikronationer: på besök i hemgjorda länder, Gidlunds förlag, 2017, page 49-61 ↩︎
  23. https://www.molossia.org/ ↩︎
  24. K. BAUGH, personal communication (MicroCon EU, Ieper), 12 Augustus 2023 ↩︎
  25. Ypres Agenda (Final) – MicroCon 2023 Chicago & Ypres ↩︎
  26. https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/2778662 ↩︎
  27. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220407-the-country-that-became-a-micronation-capital ↩︎
  28. H. HOBBS & G.  WILLIAMS, Micronations and the Search for Sovereignty, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2022,  page 112-113 ↩︎
  29. https://www.molossia.org/howto.html ↩︎
  30. https://flandrensis.com/how-to-start-a-micronation/ ↩︎
  31. https://ladoniaherald.com/2015/liberlands-empty-promises-to-syrian-refugees-scorned-by-other-micronations/ ↩︎
  32. H. HOBBS & G.  WILLIAMS, Micronations and the Search for Sovereignty, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2022,  page 157-158 ↩︎
  33. D. DESAINTES, personal communication (MicroCon EU, Ieper), 12 Augustus 2023 ↩︎
  34. https://www.microfrancophonie.org/ ↩︎
  35. https://conferenceofsantiago.wixsite.com/conferenceofsantiago ↩︎
  36. https://obscurium-gov.wixsite.com/micro-euro-summit ↩︎
  37. J. Oeuillet, personal communication (Polination Conference, Perugia), 04 Juli 2015 ↩︎
  38. https://www.principatodiseborga.com/ ↩︎
  39. B. FULIGNI, Royaumes d’aventure: le premier atlas des micronations, Éditions des Arènes, Paris, 2016, page 232 ↩︎
  40. B. FULIGNI, Royaumes d’aventure: le premier atlas des micronations, Éditions des Arènes, Paris, 2016, page 214 ↩︎
  41. A. VARGAS-SÁNCHEZ, Exploring micronations as emerging tourism destinations: factors, policies, and impacts. Tourism Recreation Research, 2024,1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2024.2379683 ↩︎
  42. J. OEUILLET, Le business des vanités: enquête sur les arnaques à la noblesse, Parijs, Ed. du Moment, 2015,  page 200-205 ↩︎
  43. https://www.principaute-aigues-mortes.com/ ↩︎
  44. https://www.bpam-leflamant.com/ ↩︎
  45. https://www.slowjamastan.org/ ↩︎
  46. https://nypost.com/2023/06/14/ive-been-to-every-country-now-i-rule-my-own-slowjamastan/ ↩︎
  47. H. HOBBS & G. WILLIAMS, Micronations and the Search for Sovereignty, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2022,  page 118 ↩︎
  48. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyqj54-dw0U ↩︎
  49. https://flandrensis.com/climate/ ↩︎
  50. https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/tsv_pdf/2021/08/17/21349150.pdf ↩︎
  51. https://flandrensis.com/ ↩︎
  52. https://www.angyalistan.com/ ↩︎
  53. https://www.lemonde.fr/series-d-ete/article/2021/08/18/l-empire-d-angyalistan-mallarme-et-pierre-dac-pour-boussoles_6091687_3451060.html ↩︎
  54. H. HOBBS & G. WILLIAMS, Micronations and the Search for Sovereignty, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2022,  page 118 ↩︎
  55. https://www.lemonde.fr/series-d-ete/article/2021/08/16/voyage-dans-les-micronations-ces-pays-de-fantaisie-qui-reinventent-la-democratie_6091521_3451060.html ↩︎
  56. https://thestag.jimdofree.com/ ↩︎
  57. https://www.thetimes.com/world/europe/article/viva-liberland-i-visited-the-made-up-country-with-its-jet-skiing-president-mffwfx526 ↩︎