What is a "State"?
The UN and Decolonization
Special Committee of 24 examines and monitors the application of the Declaration on decolonization.
Sources on Theories of the State
This is a 2003 course syllabus from Oxford University following the development of theories of the state from Aristotle to Karl Marx.
More Sources on Theories of the State
This is a 2008 course syllabus from McGill University looking at theories of the state, of state capacity, and of state formation.
Microstates
Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States
In 2001, the UN General Assembly established the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS) as part of the UN Secretariat.
Small Island Developing States Unit
Within the UN's Department of Economic and Social Affairs lies the small island developing states unit (SIDS), which is the main lobbying voice of small island states to the UN.
Small Island Developing States Network
The Small Island Developing States Network (SIDSnet) is a direct follow-up to the 1994 Barbados Programme of Action, connecting 43 Small Island Developing States through information and communication technologies.
Seminar on Small Island Developing States
The site has several full length papers, discussing development issues of microstates.
Alliance of Small Island States
The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) was formed in 1990, specifically to lobby on behalf of countries vulnerable to climate change. AOSIS has 48 member states.
The World's Smallest Countries
Here is a comprehensive list of the world's seventeen smallest independent countries, each with less than 200 square miles.
Experimental States
The Kingdoms of Elgaland-Vargaland
In 1992, artists CM von Hauswolff and Leif Elggren proclaimed the Kingdoms of Elgaland-Vargaland, which "consist of the Border Territories: Geographical, Mental & Digital." The kingdom's website includes links to its constitution, an illustrated history, and a list of ministries, embassies and consulates.
NSK State
Originally a collective including Slovenian musicians Laibach, the Neue Slowenische Kunst organization declared itself to be an independent state in 1991. It has since opened temporary embassies and consular offices all over the world, rejecting "the categories of fixed territory, the principle of national borders," and advocating "the law of transnationality." The NSK State issues passports and grants citizenship through its Electronic Embassy.
Hutt River Province
Hutt River Province is an independent sovereign state located in West Australia, and governed by Prince Leonard Casley, former farmer, who seceded from Australia in 1970.
Official Website of Sealand
Sealand, founded as a sovereign principality in 1967 in international waters, lies six miles off the eastern shores of Britain. Sealand's founding principle is that people dissatisfied with the oppressive laws and restrictions of existing states may declare independence in any place not claimed to be under the jurisdiction of another sovereign entity.
Conch Republic
"We seceded where others failed" - this is the motto of the Conch Republic.
Freedom Ship
A link to Freedom Ship's homepage, an experimental state somewhat resembling a floating Disneyland.
The World of ResidenSea
This is the first residential ocean-travelling resort, which offers a luxurious lifestyle to the rich.
Cyber Yugoslavia
A link to Cyber Yugoslavia, a cyber state with its own constitution, anthem and citizenship. Eventually, as membership peaks they will ask for UN recognition and a small piece of land for their server.
Emerging States & Claims to Autonomy and Independence
Society for Threatened People
The Society for Threatened Peoples is a nonprofit Human Rights Organization to promote the human Rights of religious and ethnic minorities and Indigenous Peoples. The Society has consultative status as NGO at the United Nations (ECOSOC).
Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation (UNPO)
The UNPO promotes the "right to self-determination for all nations and peoples." In its covenant, members subscribe to human rights standards and the principles of democracy and non-violence.
Export Processing Zones
Mexico-US Border Program Maquiladora Project
This program focuses on the developments in export processing zones along the US-Mexico border.National Labor Committee - In Support of Human and Worker Rights
The US-based National Labor Committee monitors workers' rights around the world.State Sovereignty and Corruption
UN Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention
This UN site contains articles, publications, analysis, statistics, treaties and legal instruments on money laundering and corruption.
The International Anti-Corruption Conference Series (IACC)
Since 1983, the biennial International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) has brought together politicians, business representatives, members of the judiciary, researchers, the media, academics, and non-governmental organization to exchange information on how to combat corruption. The IACC Conference series is overseen by the IACC Council, and its Secretariat, Transparency International, an NGO based in Germany, which also publishes the annual Corruption Perception Index.
Anti-taxes.com
Want to get yourself a bank for US$25,000 in Nauru? Click here to obtain the information. The anti-taxes.com web site explains, "tax evasion is perfectly legal" but "offshore opportunities won't last always"…
Finor Associates
Want the skinny on financial planning, tax evasion, and offshore bank accounts? Visit Finor Associates for all kinds of practical yet deviant financial services.
Germany's Corruption Scandal
See this special report by the Guardian on Helmut Kohl's slush funds and the scandal that ensued. It contains a collection of articles, links and biographies.
Tax Havens of the World Index
This is a database of all the tax havens in the world, with relevant legal and logistical information for those interested in moving their funds off shore.
Transnationale
Activist and Research Organization which collects and freely distributes detailed commercial, financial, social and ecological information on over 3000 transnational corporations, off shore money havens through their Site, information available in French, English and Spanish.
International Money Laundering Information Network
This site offers a comprehensive reference section including information about national legislation in countries across the world, and details of legal instruments established in the fight against money laundering.
Financial Scandals
BCCI, Barings, Nick Leeson, Alberto Fujimori -- classic finacial scandals such as these, along with information on political corruption, money laundering and organized crime are all issues covered by this website.
