The knack How to start your own country
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference."The idea that you can go abroad, buy some land and start up your own country is, I'm afraid, a myth. Countries don't sell sovereignty outright. In the territory of any given country, you won't be legally allowed to declare your own independence, but as long as you continue to pay your taxes and obey the local laws, most countries won't make a fuss. So, go ahead and draw up your declaration papers - `The Kingdom/Republic of ... [this could simply be your own house] is pleased to announce etc, etc.' Although the government don't want you to know that such places exist, there are diplomatic offices to which you can send these - in America it's called `the Geographer of the United States'. Then you can make your own flags, stamps and passports. Selling these items can be a very profitable sideline. In Australia and the US, people have also sold patents of nobility, and charged for simple citizenship and for businesses who want to use their `country' as a tax-haven. By informing the media, they found themselves becoming tourist destinations.
Alternatively, like Paddy Roy Bates, you could find a loophole. His country, named Sealand, is an anti-aircraft tower in the Thames Estuary. The courts told officials who were trying to remove him that the matter had to be taken to the Foreign Office, which was uninterested in the whole affair." Interview by Fiona McClymont
Edwin S Strauss is author of `How to Start Your Own Country' ($12.95), published by Loompanics Unlimited, PO Box 1197, Port Townsend, WA 98368, US
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments