The Austenasian-Zealandian dispute over New South Scotland demonstrates a wonderful example of micronational diplomacy intersecting with International Relations (“I.R.”) studies, mixed with a sociological study of in-groups as micronations. It provides an example for leadership studies, a neat historical relation to Antiochus III’s invasion of Greece in the 192 BCE, and a political analysis of the internal system of micronations and of international politics. These micronational events will help all those disciplines listed above — and they will help govern micronations.
Micropatriology is the study of micronations and is notably interdisciplinary, like Womens or LGBT Studies. Prominent and active in the early 2000s, the study of micronations is important for all committed micronationalists and can help to connect mainstream academic and intellectual work to the realities that micronationalists and all micronations face. The intersection between micropatriology can be one that many micronationalists will find insightful for their own studies in the social sciences and humanities, and even micronationalists without academic disciplines can be aided by the work of academia and intellectualism in micronationalism. Overall, micronationalism as a subcultural phenomenon can be aided by an intellectual movement to transform how competent and committed micronationalists govern and interact with the micronational paradigm.
Sandus has endeavoured to bring this intellectualism into Sandus, post-Foundation of the State in 2011. In 2012, with the rise and creation of Sandus’s Realism, we have been successful in introducing more intellectual analysis into our government. Today, Sandus has been aided by the study of I.R. theory, sociological studies of subcultures and in-groups, and various historical analyses. But there is still much more to be done.
A few weeks ago, the State of Sandus announced plans to form an International Centre for Micropatriological Studies — plans that attracted much attention. Many were interested in taking part, though some are sceptical of the need for micropatriological studies. One major critique is that it can be used as a political arena for micronational disputes. While that is certainly an issue, micropatriology in the new decade can learn from the example of other interdisciplinary studies. In LGBT Studies, students learn that LGBT Studies is overwhelmingly political and seeks to challenge the main culture’s long-held views in terms of sexualities and non-traditional genders; today, LGBT Studies has been successful in challenging stereotypes and misinformation centred around the LGBTQ community. This can be our example.
Perhaps micropatriology can be used as a political field but – like all academic fields – objectivity is important in approaching topics. Micropatriology can be useful in debating what “activity” is, what is the micronational/macronational paradigm, and what is a micronation? These three questions are preliminary — yet important in understanding micronations. Micropatriology can help micronationalists better their governance, activity, and leadership — and it can help non-micronationalists and macronationalists understand what micronations are and what micronationalists do. The potential here is wide-spread and can unite all micronationalists, without regard for political beliefs or ideologies.
The reason why the dispute over New South Scotland is a wonderful example for micropatriology is because of an analysis I made back in 2012. I noted back then that federalism is inherently difficult to do successfully in micronationalism because of split allegiances; that analysis has been periodically proven true and periodically proven false. This analysis needs nuance – it needs to be developed into a greater understanding for why some micronationalists can become members of another micronation and remain loyal to both, or why there is no conflict between a micronationalists with two different citizenships, or even why some micronations are more unstable than others.
The potential is there for a greater understanding. We just need to tap into it.
This opinion editorial was written by Gaius Sörgel Publicola, the Sôgmô of the State of Sandus. If you are interested in working to create the International Centre for Micropatriological Studies, contact Sörgel at KremlumSandus@gmail.com or at KremlumSandus on Skype.
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Great article! I’d love to see more work on micropartiology being done. Your ideas sound especially interesting to explore. What sort of format or method do you have in mind for micropatriological research or publications?
I hope to see the International Centre for Micropatriological Studies as a major venue for micropatriology. I hope the Centre can organise programs to raise awareness of micropatriology, hold conferences and workshops, and publish irregularly published journals. This will have to be decided by the other participants, however.
– G.S.P.