Freedom of Zoning First, Sovereignty Second.

Rickey Gerard Perez · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 4

I'm not too worried about sovereignty yet. The biggest issue I will run into is having the freedom to zone my land anyway I see fit. My first question is, where in the world can I build whatever I want without local governments stopping me?

The ideal combination would be a mixture of cheap spacious land and open zoning laws.

erichxtc · Joined: 28 Jul 2007 Posts: 3

Im having this huge idea, that im going to start my own country. I AM going to buy an island, and I AM going to have my own laws, I will invite people to stay there for free, there is going to be no drinking aloud, only on special events. I will pay entirely for everything in their whole life.
There is one thing about this plan that im certain everyone here will be against, i shall have big fields of marijuana plants, people would get "weed" for free, everyone will have unlimited access to weed, they could come and ask me for everything, and i will almost every time make their wish come true, but no-one would be aloud to bring marijuana out of the country. This will result in a permanent ban, they will be sent with the first plane back to their original country. No other drugs will be aloud, only marijuana. Over the time that i have enjoyed weed, my perspective on life has changed completely, I believe in a society where there exists no crime, no war and no hate. Freedom of speech will be something that really matters, people could say whatever they want, but if they brake the laws i will consider if they would be sent back, or if they should receive another chance. But the whole reason for me to give everyone who wants free weed, is so that they would have the same peaceful look on life as me, so we could live in complete harmony as long as we want.
but the big thing is, the same as your problem, how to create an own country and my own laws? is this possible? i believe so, and im going to pursue this dream, and im going to accomplish it.

LSMorgan · Joined: 02 Jun 2007 Posts: 113 Location: Edgewater/Chicago

No, it isn't possible, simply because there aren't any islands just "out there" to be purchased that don't already fall under the sovereignty of a parent nation.

So no, you can't just "buy an island and make your own laws".
Dream all you want, but make sure not to bet anything on it. That's money in the bank for whomever you bet with.

The only exception to this is if you ever became obscenely wealthy- like, Bill Gates rich- and could afford to offer such a ridiculous sum of money (billions and billions) for not only the "island" itself, but enough money that the 3rd world parent country would be willing to relinquish their sovereignty over it too.

But as with anything else, there comes a huge catch with this methodology. Any nation that's is so destitute that they would actually accept this offer would be a severe long-term threat to the security of your property. All it would take is one referendum or change in government, and suddenly, your "ownership" of the island is nullified and oops- they've already spent your money. (Just ask all those folks who presently have Fijian islands pending transfer...)

And what are you going to do about it? Hope some other country comes in and saves you? Nope. You're sovereign, remember?

Sorry. The whole idea of "starting your own country" died a century ago. Even the the slimmest likelihoods that exist on the very periphery of reality would require such a favorable confluence of highly specific circumstances that it's about as likely as putting all the component parts of a Rolex watch into a bag, shaking it around and hoping it assembles itself into a functioning timepiece.

Don't let your dreams become delusions. You're much better off putting your energy into working to change the laws in your own country than you are working towards something that just absolutely, positively will not happen, ever, ever, ever, ever.
_________________
Chicago, IL on a daily basis.

My little slice of heaven in the gulfwaters of Florida, whenever time permits.

erichxtc · Joined: 28 Jul 2007 Posts: 3

Do you believe in the Law of Attraction? if not, then take a small brake from your island wonderworld and see "The Secret".
its the secret to life, and how you can achieve anything.
Im going to have my own island, whether some big scary country lets me or not.
there are three things in life that can give you world domination.
The first thing, is money..
and after money, you get power,
and when you have both money and power, you gain respect.

I guarantee you that i will own an island within 10 years.

LSMorgan · Joined: 02 Jun 2007 Posts: 113 Location: Edgewater/Chicago

Oh, don't misconstrue what I'm saying.
You absolutely CAN own an island! Plenty of people on this forum do, matter of fact. I don't need to watch any Hollywood movies to tell me that.

Where your idea goes off the track of reality is when you start thinking that you can just start declaring your own laws that only apply to the island. That just isn't how things work.

For example, I own property on an island off the Gulf Coast of Florida (near the "Suncoast Keys" island belt). There are no roads- you can only get there by boat. My island property is completely detached from the contiguous North American continent. Now, because I own this, I can't just say "HAHAHAHA! I am on an island and now I can do whatever I want!". My island and I are both subject to all state laws applicable to Florida and all Federal laws applicable to the United States. If I suddenly started violating said laws simply because I was "on an island", I would find myself in prison no different than if I violated those same laws in Chicago, downtown San Francisco or Miami.

This is what you will run into when you buy your island (and I do say "when" because Island Ownership is a very real thing that ordinary people can do with prudence, discipline and patience). Unfortunately, there aren't any islands out there that aren't already claimed as territory by some nation-state. They've all been "discovered". As such, whatever island you buy will be subject to the laws of it's parent nation-state just like my island is subject to the laws of Florida and the United States.

Just because your property happens to be an "island" doesn't give you any special rights to sovereignty.
_________________
Chicago, IL on a daily basis.

My little slice of heaven in the gulfwaters of Florida, whenever time permits.

enjoythesilence · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 132

Thank you, LS Morgan...

This is the reason that high school Political Science classes should be mandatory. A world where any island owner could declare sovereignty would be a geopolitical mess... not to mention full of security threats. I think one thing that tends not to occur to those who want their own country is that were such a thing possible, the major world powers would simply declare dominion over any possible piece of island real estate.
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I want to live in Theory....everything works in Theory.

awalshe09 · Joined: 25 Mar 2009 Posts: 6

Rod · Site Admin Joined: 21 Jan 2007 Posts: 172 Location: US

Alex, welcome!

JpComedy · Joined: 16 Sep 2009 Posts: 1

Seems to me like a lot of people on this forum are dreaming of autonomy from the governing powers that rule them, without thinking through how this could impact their way of life, and the situations that present themselves on the island.

With that in mind, it's fair to say owning your own island seems like a great way to be independent, while still being part of the mainland. Stimulate economy, pay your taxes, and only invite people on your island who you'd like to palaver with. Sounds quite pleasant, really.

Working within the system is always the best way to get things done, and thankfully this website and others like it have been helping people realize their dreams for a long time now.