• Federated Micronations
• Institutions
• Balanda Republic
• Capricornia
• Naquarnia
• Murwillumbah
• Musograd
• Federal Territories
• Education
• AAD
• Nation Forming
• Musanian Nationalisms
• IKG
• Kosnice University
• Murwillian UoS
• SU Balangrad
• TU Balangrad
• FIES
• Naquarnian IU

Musanian Nationalisms

The "border conditions" of a micronation are quite different to those of real nations, in both senses of the term. External influences exist, but in a different way than for real nations. It may be possible, though, to compare the history of micronations to those of real nations, if you interpret the former in a metaphoric way. As a micronational institution, the AAS will try to compare the developments in the Musanian Lands with those observed by selected nations in the world, applying concepts created by Tom Nairn and also by Leopold Kohr.

Common history

Until the mid 1980s, Musanian / Musogradian history followed an imperial model of central rule over a multi-ethnic empire. Development was unequal but slow, while external dominance, economic and political, led to a development of nationalism in the central regions of Musograd. The tensions between various modernizers and traditionalists created by this unequal development led to a strongly nationalist communist government between 1986 and 1989, in the context of a dynamically changing external environment.

In 1989, the communists were replaced by a Monarchist state form, the Rajakratija, which was based on national myths. It was ruled by monarchs stemming from an ancient Musogradian house which had lost power in 1813. Imperialist efforts ("Australija") were not able to stop developments of nationalism in the marginal regions. First signs of these can be seen in the Divisional War in 1994 and the decentralized "Parramatta National Government" structure. But after 6 years, this structure broke down and was replaced by a strongly nationalist government, creating the "Dershowo Musograd". The breakdown was caused both by internal developments and by an external event related to a Caribbean expedition.

Birth of Regional Nationalisms

The end of the imperialist efforts in 2000 - 2002, also enforced by external changes, finally led to the full breakout of regional nationalist developments. With the end of settlement which had served as a pressure valve, the returning settlers developed a strong Capricornian nationalism in the northern region. The decentralisation efforts of the central government failed to stop Capricornian independence in 2006 and also of the Balanga Respublike.

Republic of Capricornia

In 2002, the Musogradian effort to develop an Australijan settlement finally ended. Settlers returned, and many resettled in the northern coastal regions of the Musanian Lands, as many had ethnic roots to the coastal Balanda and as there was space available. But their experience as independent settlers (and also their homesickness) very quickly led to a development of a strong "Southern Cross" nationalism. The status of "Province of Thylacinia" was not enough for them, and in 2006, they declared independence. In spite of huge economic difficulties, the state developed rapidly, with a strong but open nationalism as basis.

The openness of the Republic of Capricornia led it to have a stronger outward orientation than Musograd, with an active diplomatic service and a postal service with international subsidiaries. The modern orientation of the state was underlined by declaring English as the main state language. In 2009, Capricornia re-integrated itself into the Federated Micronations, on eye level with the Dershowo Musograd. In the phase of the Musogradian breakdown in 2021/22, Capricornia took the lead role in the F.M., also pushing for the changes converting the Federation into a Federal union state.

In many respects, Capricornia represents what the state of Israel could have been, a state founded by people coming back to the land of their roots, bringing with them modern experiences, but open for cooperation with the people already present and with their neighbours. In Israel, this failed because of the religious difference between Jewish settlers and Muslim and Christian original inhabitants, and because of the unwillingness of local leaders and people (both the Muslims and the Jewish ones) to accept modernization and openness. Capricornian diplomats have analyzed this situation under the label "Foregone Conclusion", precluding any diplomatic activities in a region where no change to the better is expected for the future.

Being relatively young, Capricornian nationalism has not yet had its "second revolution". Many Capricornians still have a "southward urge" which precludes a major change within the country itself. Also, the current leading position within the F.M. makes such a new direction difficult. Politically, the Southern Cross Movement has been in power alone or in coalitions since 2006.

Stillborn Nationalisms

As a reaction to the independence of Capricornia and Balanga Respublike, in 2007 the Musogradian government decided to implement a federal structure, creating Sprijland, Kosnice and the Goralnian, Murwillian and Naquarnian Republics as members of the federation with the purpose to enable a reintegration of the secessionist states.

The history of Sprijland was to be quite short. Located on the plains near Balangrad City, it was basically a battle ground between Musogradian and Capricornian / Balanda forces. It was dissolved as an entity when the FM were founded in 2009. With the Goralni Respublike, it was not much different. Split internally between pro-Capricornian and pro-Musogradian parties, it was put under joint administration and then dissolved in 2009, too. The mountaineous region never developed an unified nationalism, with different parts looking into different directions. Today, the former capital, Goralnigrad, looks east towards the Balanda Republic, while the core valleys still look west towards Musograd City, due to their military traditions and political influence within the city.

After the 2021 breakdown, Musogradian nationalism reached a low point. The city of Mohuc declared its autonomy on the same level as Kosnice. A low level civil war between regionalist, populist and nationalist factions was ended in December 2021 by the intervention of Federal forces in alliance with parts of the Musogradian army. Although both the Musogradian Constitutional Assembly elections and the Federal Elections have taken place without major incidents, the future structure of the Musogradian state is still open. Until then, the state will continue to be ruled by a combination of the Federal Administration in Musograd and Regional Assemblies for the Autonomous Oblasts of Musograd City, Kosnice, Mohuc, Goralnigrad and Sv. Jelena.

Such a phase of indecision and instability can often be observed for the core countries of a former empire, like Austria and Germany after both world wars. The nationalism of the core area around Musograd City is still not clearly defined - does it refer to the city and oblast, the "Dershowo" or the Musanian Lands? Here, there is a comparison with England / London, who according to Tom Nairn have not established their own national structures yet, too.

Kosnice

The port city of Kosnice was one of the most developed cities in the Musanian lands. With its trading and marine traditions and with its English based language, it was culturally distinct from the core Musanian lands. But it never developed a strong nationalism of its own, even though it was autonomous for long periods of its history, from 1887 to 1965, then from 1996 to 2000 serving as base to the Nationalist forces, In 2003, it was not nationalism but radical economic anarchism which led to self-rule if not independence. Breakdown of this economic model in 2009 led to its reintegration with a high degree of autonomy which continues to the present.

In many respects, Kosnice can be compared with Scotland. Both entities have a history of independence, but without exclusive nationalism. Like Nairn observed, Scotland became rich before the period of nationalism started. This is similar for Kosnice - the period of regional nationalism in Musania was started by the Capricornian revolution, and Kosnice obtained its autonomy and started its development much earlier. Both in Scotland and in Kosnice, there are strong influences looking towards the central power. Those are mostly based on military circles and on global commercial interests. For Kosnice, indepence on state level within the FM, or a similar status, might come less by its own efforts but by a further dissolution of the Dershowo Musograd after the 2021 events. Similarly, the support for Scottish independence might be pushed over the 50% line by the further political decay of England and future developments in Northern Ireland.

Murwillumbah

The southern city state of Murwillumbah was incorporated into the Kingdom of Musograd very early, in 1245. Regaining its independence in the 14th century, it expanded into Musogradian territories, but was pushed back and, in 1561, conquered and integrated into the Kingdom of Musograd. In spite of this, its unique Muslim/Jewish culture and its language continued to dominate the region, and the city and region had a wide degree of autonomy.

In the following centuries, Murwillumbah also culturally influenced the Musanian core lands, with many military and political leaders of Musograd coming from the region, including the House of Azrak, ruling Musograd from 1814 to 1983. Its conservative way of life was shaken between 1986 and 1989 by the Communists who had, for some time, set up their main base in the Murwillian region. But after the civil wars of that period, Murwillumbah settled back into old routines and joined the FM in 2009 as the "Jamahiriya Murwillumbah", ruled by conservative Muslim and Jewish elites.

Tom Nairn has observed that, historically, a "second revolution" has occurred in many nations, modernizing their political environment. This has also happened in Murwillumbah in 2012 / 2013, with the Shiat al-Nur movement, an atheistic and science oriented youth movement which took power after a short civil war, modernizing the country with strict limits on religious activities. The "Scientific Republic of Murwillumbah" still kept itself apart from Musanian mainstream events until 2022 when it resolved a simmering conflict with the Balanda Republic and signed the new FM constitution which converted the Federation into a Federal Union. Examples of such a "second revolution" towards modernity are rare - maybe Ireland or Portugal could be listed for comparison, as conservative nations at the edge of Europe which changed course in the 1970 and 1980s, respectively.

Naquarnia

The region of Naquarnia was slowly conquered by Musograd over the centuries, a process lasting until 1788. Although formally never relinquished, the influence of the Musogradian Kingdom waned in the following two centuries. Small duchys in the mountaineous hinterland, the "Naquarnian Alliance", and small city states at the coast ruled the region which included also the territory of Mondeo in the south. In the last two decades of the old Empire, this situation changed, and the duchys and city republics were integrated into the Musogradian state with the Treaty of Alte Ceccato on 1965.10.03. Due to an external conflict, a part of the region, the Territory of Mondeo, was illegally occupied in the 1970s and had to be given up after a protracted legal battle in 2017.

The cultural influence of Naquarnia on Musograd was limited but continuously present, while Naquarnia itself was culturally split between the traditional Eetalian duchys and the more Arab oriented coastal regions. The slow cultural change and the contrast between coast and hinterland created tensions which finally led to a military coup by conservative officers in 2010. But only a year later, liberal forces were able to win power in a bloodless revolution.

Urbanisation led to migration from the Eetalian-speaking hinterland into the cities, pushing back the reach of the "Trader Arab" languages. As both languages had already integrated elements of the other language in the past, a slow merging of the languages was possible, with a dominance of Eetalian. The resulting, still quite fluid language is called "Naquarnian" by some linguists and politicians.

A "second revolution" of sorts took place in 2019 / 2020, when new, modernizing, parties took power and changed the constitution, state name and state flag. These more symbolic changes were combined with intensive exchanges and military cooperations within the FM and with a modernisation of the state administration.

The cultural and political developments of Naquarnia are difficult to compare - linguistically, it has much in common with Malta, but the political structures are quite dissimilar. In other respects, it relates to the multitude of duchys and city states of old Italy, but its process of nation building is quite different. With its split into two language regions and into several historic dominions, Naquarnia took quite long to develop its national identity, but is now much less split into different political entities than Italy.

Balanda Republic

The huge territories settled by Balanda tribes were the slowest regions in the Musanian Lands to develop a national consciousness. In the 1420s, the leaders of the Balanda agreed to accept a large number of Musogradian religious refugees who were the first to found towns in the region. In the late 18th century, the region was slowly incorporated into Musograd, with the imperial government which came to power in 1814 receiving much support from the Balanda. In the 20th century, the Balanda started to develop their own nationalism which excluded the cities. Those were isolated both from the rural population and the Musogradian state by religious differences.

Between 1986 and 1989, this split was reduced by the common resistance against the rule of Musogradian communists, The usage of WMD and other human rights violations during various wars and civil strifes traumatized the region. Only in 2006, during the secession of Capricornia, the conservative "Balanda Liberation Movement" was able to win power and declare the independence of the "Balanga Respublike" in a step of de-colonialization. In 2007 / 2008, they were even able to occupy parts of Balangrad City, the largest city of the region, and of eastern parts of the Murwillian state. Economic development was still lacking, though, which led to a classic "second revolution" in 2008, led by younger and more urban Balanda. This, and the 2009 integration in the Federated Micronations, led to slow development.

Still, the emigration rates continued to be high. In spite of the massive "uneven development", Balanda nationalism was (and is) relatively weak. In the 2020/21 "Shoolscath" conflict, a high number of Balanda volunteers lost their lifes, both as part of the BVF / ML and of the regular Musogradij Armije units. Only after the end of this conflict, the Balanda Republic started to gain strength and influence, with the most important JSF base located in the east of the state. The Musogradian town of Goralnigrad, located east of the Goralni Mountains, is now ruled by an alliance with strong Balanda tendencies.

For the type of development which the Balanda experienced, it is again difficult to find comparable situations in the world. The gulf between settlers and original inhabitants is not as steep as between Jewish Israelis and Palestinians or Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland. The language situation is more like the situation in Finland between the Finnish majority and the Swedish minority, with the former slowly gaining the upper hand. At the same time, the political structures are still partially pre-modern, with relatively independent cities and districts ruled on the basis of historic statues, overseen by a weak legislative assembly, the Kuomnata.

The further development of the Balanda Republic might also create new regionalisms, due to the large extension of the state, stretching from the Northern to the Central Sea, and from the eastern border of the FM right to the Goralni mountains. The peace agreement with the Murwillian S.R. created an economic hotspot in the Transdonarian region, the establishment of the JSB another one in the north.

Conclusion

In the Musanian Lands, five Nationalisms have been born and survived - first the Musogradian, then the Capricornian, and finally the Balanda, Naquarnian and Murwillian ones. They all have different characteristics, but have learned to co-exist and cooperate. The structure the F.M. now have found, that of a central state based on an alliance of sovereign nations which all have the right to leave the Federation, seems to be stable. Counterintuitively, the larger risks now seem to come from a lack of nationalism than of too much of it. Here, especially the Musogradian and the Balanda states are in critical phases of their development.

According to Leopold Kohr, federations are stable when their members are of more or less equal size, and when there are more than two power centers. For this, it is necessary to strengthen the two southern states, but also to have a sound development of the Musogradian and the Balanda Republics, both currently lacking a stable government structure. Maybe Musograd will decide for a federal structure within the federal structure of the F.M., dissolve completely, or find together in a new modernized Dershowo. Similar paths are open for the Balanda Republic, although here no formal decision process has yet been started.

The current state form of the Federated Micronations of Musania can be seen as an ideal form for such an assembly of nations. The right to leave the Federation is clearly and unanimously defined in the concise Constitution of the FM : "These States have the unalienable right to leave the Federation if their Citizens decide so with absolute majority in two Referenda at least two years apart.". This clause limits the dangers of domination of one state over the others, but also avoids any breakups triggered by nationalist or populist waves, allowing a sober re-thinking of the consequences of secession over two years. At the same time, it implicitely allows the active involvement of the Federation in the internal affairs of a state, in cases where no local solution can be found.