Micronations: A Lacuna in the Law

Abstract

Around 100 active micronations exist across the globe. Led by committed and eccentric individuals, these aspirant or wannabe states assert their claims to sovereignty in myriad ways. However, because they may pose no security threat to the state and lack a foundation in domestic and international law for their claim to independence they are generally ignored by the state, let alone public lawyers. And yet, in dressing in the language of statehood, micronations challenge understandings of and approaches to international legal personality. In this article we provide the first legal survey of micronations. We define what it means to be a micronation, explore their various forms, and analyse key public law issues.

Keywords: micronations, sovereignty, statehood, international law, public law

JEL Classification: K33