legov Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 How about Hong Kong and Macau? Never gotten the feeling that they want to secede from the mainland, what they want (at least in HK's case) is for democracy to be preserved. The "1 Country, 2 Systems" policy seems to have worked fine for them so far, there's been some unhappiness recently I think though as apparently Beijing are trying to get their grimy hands into HK politics. I always got the impression from when I was in HK and speaking to people, especially the younger generation (twenties etc) that given the choice they would rather still be under British rule as opposed to Chinese rule Got the feeling most of them dislike (maybe even despise) mainlanders, but again, never got the feeling that there was secessionist tension. In fact, I'd say that the recent protests against Japanese claims in the Senkaku Islands (which spread to HK and Taiwan as well) suggests a high degree of ethnic unity with people from the mainland. Regardless, even if HK, Macau and Taiwan were taken out of the equation, the 1.2 billion mainland citizens that are still in the equation, so to speak, are culturally extremely unified (and certainly much, much more so than European people are) And despite our faults we are not a ridiculous communist dictatorship *Pedant alert* Autocratic, maybe, but not a dictatorship. The President doesn't have absolute power, party officials still have legislative and executive powers. In fact, the CCP holds regular internal elections, it's just that only party members (IIRC) vote, the average citizen on the street, of course, doesn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowychap Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leviramsey Posted October 3, 2012 VT Supporter Share Posted October 3, 2012 Got the feeling most of them dislike (maybe even despise) mainlanders, but again, never got the feeling that there was secessionist tension. In fact, I'd say that the recent protests against Japanese claims in the Senkaku Islands (which spread to HK and Taiwan as well) suggests a high degree of ethnic unity with people from the mainland. Regardless, even if HK, Macau and Taiwan were taken out of the equation, the 1.2 billion mainland citizens that are still in the equation, so to speak, are culturally extremely unified (and certainly much, much more so than European people are) Possibly interesting data point (re: your point on Senkaku) Out of 54 countries with which Washington has signed mutual-defense treaty obligations, plus two others (Israel and Mexico) that receive our implicit backing, a majority of Americans supports defending just 12. Countries that don’t reach the 50 percent threshold include our oldest ally, France, along with Japan, Poland, and Denmark. The only four countries that 60 percent of Americans are willing to defend are Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Israel. Anglosphere, indeed (and if the question were asked re: Ireland, it's virtually certain that we'd have a fifth in the 60% club; NZ might also pass that threshold, as well)... (as for the US being somewhat neutral in the Falklands, well, there was the Monroe Doctrine thing... and I don't believe HM Government had yet formally apologized for Queen...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legov Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Delete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maqroll Posted November 20, 2012 Author Share Posted November 20, 2012 The vote is this Sunday...we could see the map of Europe change again...I get the feeling the measure will pass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarewsEyebrowDesigner Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Give it a few years before another civil war If it does pass then we could start to see a trend over the next century. Perhaps the federal systems are doomed to fail. Would more smaller states competing against each other be good for business? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chindie Posted November 20, 2012 VT Supporter Share Posted November 20, 2012 I'd quite enjoy the paradox (perhaps irony) of just when states become less important, all the little secessionist groups get their wish and get states. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyh29 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Can't remember where I heard it but I thought someone ITK said it would never happen , but blowed if I can recall why he'd come to that conclusion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisp65 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Can't remember where I heard it but I thought someone ITK said it would never happen , but blowed if I can recall why he'd come to that conclusion I think that was Franco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarewsEyebrowDesigner Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Strong opinions for a racehorse. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyh29 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 It's sorta coming back to me now , was something about they would have to leave the European Union if they voted for independence And why te commentator thought it unlikely the vote would ever win Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b23avfc Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Yep they've been after it for years but the crisis has brought on the greater shout. I met a catalan in birmingham very recently. Very nice man, refused to speak spanish and was fiercely promoting catalan independence. He studies politics here too. I know a bunch of catalans in birmingham, they're proud but not as proud as this chap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjmooney Posted November 21, 2012 VT Supporter Share Posted November 21, 2012 Don't know any Catalans, but I used to play football with a Basque lad (from Bilbao) - very similar mindset. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troglodyte Posted November 21, 2012 VT Supporter Share Posted November 21, 2012 The main concerns seem to be coming from businesses with a strong presence in Barcelona fearing the consequences of independence. Catalonia is economically better off than the rest of Spain, but were they to separate, it seems it would subsequently damage the Catalan economy anyway. A big publisher (can't remember which) has threatened to leave Barcelona should Catalonia become independent, for example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maqroll Posted November 21, 2012 Author Share Posted November 21, 2012 I'd think Scottish nationalists will be watching this very closely...just on an administrative level, a separation like this would wreak havoc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maqroll Posted September 18, 2014 Author Share Posted September 18, 2014 They must be looking intently at Scotland tonight. Their vote is in November.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarewsEyebrowDesigner Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 They'll probably vote for independence but the Spanish government won't recognise it and who knows what happens then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maqroll Posted September 18, 2014 Author Share Posted September 18, 2014 Should make for a tense Classico.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maqroll Posted September 18, 2014 Author Share Posted September 18, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Rev Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 Should make for a tense Classico.... Barcelona FC have made their feelings on the matter quite clear, they have adopted a kit which is basically the Catalonia flag (sideways) for this season and they even wore it at home for their league game on Saturday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts