5 ms·

International "meta"-law is so ridiculous. I mean the customary rules concerning recognition of states, embassies, passports [1], etc.. If I was ruler of a sma

International "meta"-law is so ridiculous. I mean the customary rules concerning recognition of states, embassies, passports [1], etc.. If I was ruler of a small country, I would say "of course we won't recognize Taiwan. We will foobar them. They don't get an embassy, but they get a blah." (which de facto will be exactly the same thing) [1] Concerning passports, no matter how radically different states are, the US, the Soviet Union, North Korea, the Vatican, one thing they can all agree on is that people have a "nationality" and must carry a "passport" when going over borders, the passport has a certain size and spaces for "visas", etc.. It really makes me consider how "radical" a state is if it partakes in this global system. Especially interesting, if you remember that a few centuries ago, none of this existed at all. In history lessions in school, I wondered how Lenin could travel through all of europe unhampered when he was fleeing from the tsarists. Well, there were only little borders or passports as we know them now around.

vinceguidry 9y ago
> If I was ruler of a small country, I would say "of course we won't recognize Taiwan. We will foobar them. They don't get an embassy, but they get a blah." (which de facto will be exactly the same thing) That might not be a smart move. Small nations get a lot out of banding together and acting as a bloc. If you foobar Taiwan, it might freeze you out of diplomatic channels that are more important to you than wanking off China. Plus, you don't have to kowtow to China when you have the US around. If you're really lucky, you'll rate a US military base and watch your economy take off. Sadly, if the Trump-ites get their wish, the US won't be much of an alternative for much longer.
- muninn_ 9y ago
  Yes that’s great. Let’s put US military bases in small countries so they “turn to us” when China is acting unfavorably. Sorry. As an American I have no interest in this. I don’t want military bases all over the world, I don’t want to pay for them, and I don’t want to be the world’s police.
- mikeash 9y ago
  Taiwan is quite used to countries working around China like this. Only 20 countries have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, none of them very influential.
  - dionian 9y ago
    And those that do use the official name of Taiwan's gov't, the Republic of China... which makes PRC look bad since they have a "China" across the strait with democracy and freedom.
    - deleted 9y ago
      [deleted]
- pertymcpert 9y ago
  What do you think "wanking off" means? I mean literally that phrase, because I don't think you meant to use it in this context.
imron 9y ago
> They don't get an embassy, but they get a blah. Other countries do this already and not just small ones. For example, in Taiwan, Australia has the "Australia Office" [0] which is essentially an embassy in all but name. Other countries have similar things. 0: http://australia.org.tw/tpei/home.html http://australia.org.tw/tpei/home.html
- Gaelan 9y ago
  US as well.
freeone3000 9y ago
The United States of America does not recognize Taiwan. They don't get an embassy, but they get an American Institute in Taiwan, and Taiwan has a Taipai Economic and Cultural Representative Office in DC. This arrangement with Taiwan exists with lots of countries.
- dmix 9y ago
  It was easier to back Taiwan when it was an economic juggernaut and China was fumbling around with failed socialism experiments. Not to mention the advanced military gear they had vs China's older systems. But the US has very much backed off it's strong Taiwan stance, at least in practice, now that China is both economically and militarily far stronger. China has largely let the US save face in the process so the US capitulation is not as prominent as the Chinese pressure on Norway and other countries. Geopolitics is not unlike mob rules in this way, when it comes down to the wire, assuming the other guy has power and money is on the line,.
fpoling 9y ago
Lenin did get troubles in 1917 with border crossings and accepted contribution from Germany to get a safe pass to Russia. German government was interested in getting political emmigrants from Russia to return to the Motherland. They hoped it will destabilize political situation in Russia and weaken the country. The plan worked...
gurkendoktor 9y ago
Plenty of countries foobar Taiwan. For example, we are more than happy to accept the ROC passport even if we pretend the ROC doesn't exist: https://www.passportindex.org/byRank.php?ccode=tw https://www.passportindex.org/byRank.php?ccode=tw

vinceguidry 9y ago

> If I was ruler of a small country, I would say "of course we won't recognize Taiwan. We will foobar them. They don't get an embassy, but they get a blah." (which de facto will be exactly the same thing) That might not be a smart move. Small nations get a lot out of banding together and acting as a bloc. If you foobar Taiwan, it might freeze you out of diplomatic channels that are more important to you than wanking off China. Plus, you don't have to kowtow to China when you have the US around. If you're really lucky, you'll rate a US military base and watch your economy take off. Sadly, if the Trump-ites get their wish, the US won't be much of an alternative for much longer.

muninn_ 9y ago
Yes that’s great. Let’s put US military bases in small countries so they “turn to us” when China is acting unfavorably. Sorry. As an American I have no interest in this. I don’t want military bases all over the world, I don’t want to pay for them, and I don’t want to be the world’s police.
mikeash 9y ago
Taiwan is quite used to countries working around China like this. Only 20 countries have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, none of them very influential.
- dionian 9y ago
  And those that do use the official name of Taiwan's gov't, the Republic of China... which makes PRC look bad since they have a "China" across the strait with democracy and freedom.
  - deleted 9y ago
    [deleted]
pertymcpert 9y ago
What do you think "wanking off" means? I mean literally that phrase, because I don't think you meant to use it in this context.

imron 9y ago

> They don't get an embassy, but they get a blah. Other countries do this already and not just small ones. For example, in Taiwan, Australia has the "Australia Office" [0] which is essentially an embassy in all but name. Other countries have similar things. 0: http://australia.org.tw/tpei/home.html http://australia.org.tw/tpei/home.html

Gaelan 9y ago
US as well.

freeone3000 9y ago

The United States of America does not recognize Taiwan. They don't get an embassy, but they get an American Institute in Taiwan, and Taiwan has a Taipai Economic and Cultural Representative Office in DC. This arrangement with Taiwan exists with lots of countries.

dmix 9y ago
It was easier to back Taiwan when it was an economic juggernaut and China was fumbling around with failed socialism experiments. Not to mention the advanced military gear they had vs China's older systems. But the US has very much backed off it's strong Taiwan stance, at least in practice, now that China is both economically and militarily far stronger. China has largely let the US save face in the process so the US capitulation is not as prominent as the Chinese pressure on Norway and other countries. Geopolitics is not unlike mob rules in this way, when it comes down to the wire, assuming the other guy has power and money is on the line,.

fpoling 9y ago

Lenin did get troubles in 1917 with border crossings and accepted contribution from Germany to get a safe pass to Russia. German government was interested in getting political emmigrants from Russia to return to the Motherland. They hoped it will destabilize political situation in Russia and weaken the country. The plan worked...

gurkendoktor 9y ago

Plenty of countries foobar Taiwan. For example, we are more than happy to accept the ROC passport even if we pretend the ROC doesn't exist: https://www.passportindex.org/byRank.php?ccode=tw https://www.passportindex.org/byRank.php?ccode=tw