The Reunian Question

R eunion. The enigma of the micronational world, it fascinates, perplexes, and occasionally aggravates the rest of us. In terms of sheer population, it is a micronational anomaly. Its three-digit population is mind-boggling, considering that the citizen rolls of many micronations do not even reach into double digits. To some it is a harmless behemoth, minding itself, and not troubling its neighbors. To others, it is a threat, whose schemes and conspiracies seek to overthrow the micronational order, bringing all under the rule of His Imperial Highness, Claudio I, Emperor of Reunion.

Of the various empires that dot the micronational landscape, Reunion is clearly the most deserving of the title. According to Reunian statistics, the Empire had 364 citizens, as of November 1, 1998. Born in August of 1997, after seceeding from the micronation of O País, Reunion has grown incredibly, due in large part to coverage in the Brazilian media.

While sheer size has made Reunion a relatively successful micronation, there have been disadvantages as well. Its large scale has made it a very visible nation micronationally, which has brought certain of its policies under scrutiny, in ways that smaller micronations normally do not face. Such criticism reached an unusually high level in 1998, when Matthew Dabrowski was Chancellor, and made certain decisions that were ill received in micronational circles. Since then, Reunion’s policy has met a more restrained reception, especially while Micah Kubic was Chancellor.

Recently however, criticism has arisen again, mostly in regards to the issue of the annexation of other micronations. The Union of Reunion and Orange quickly became a divorce, when elements within and without Orange objected to the arrangement, claiming that it was unjust and illegal. Although Reunion maintained that the union was legitimate, it was dissolved nonetheless. Currently, some groups have criticized Reunion’s absorption of Terra Novum. Again, Reunion maintains that the union is legitimate, pointing out that the Terra Novan government requested the annexation, and that as the official representative of the people of that nation, they had a right to do so. However, recent allegations by former Terra Novan officials brought before the Court of Justice at LOSS counter that Terra Novum was handed over to Reunion by a single traitor, who happened to control the website. Reunion has now proposed a compromise, by which the site will default to geocites, and some Terra Novan citizens will become Reunians. Although clearly a compromise from Reunion's earlier positions, the plan has detractors, who question some of its finer points.

Admittedly, much of Reunion's problem lies in its image. Seen by some of the more democratic micronations as the embodiment of totalitarian monarchism, Reunion has not helped its image by having a Ministry of Propaganda, nor by the "Dark Empire" theme advocated by the political philosophy of Aguiarism of half a year ago. The creation of the League of Monarchist States, and the Reunian position advocating Monarchy at MicroParliament overshadow the democratic reforms that are taking place (admittedly slowly, but surely nonetheless) in Reunion today.

Reunion's future is unclear. Although its numbers would indicate that it is flowering, others question whether it is actually in decline. Such opinions usually belong to those who believe that the feeling or "spark" within a micronation is what makes it great. Such thinkers posit that innovation and vitality are what make a micronation great, beyond numbers. The current political strife within Reunion is dangerous; in micronational systems of government, such conflict can lead to an exodus of talent, possibly leading to a Reunian version of Penguinea. In short, it would be advisable for the empire to try to tind a new consensus, which could guide the nation into the future, and bring internal serenity for a time. From the Cheruskian experience, such a course is the path best taken.

by Karen Z, Cheruskian Ambassador to Reunion