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This comment leads me towards a question that I think is ignored in most of the article and the rest of this thread - the Danes' sovereignty notwithstanding, wh
by maldeh 9y ago
This comment leads me towards a question that I think is ignored in most of the article and the rest of this thread - the Danes' sovereignty notwithstanding, what was the gain / loss to Greenland as an entity as a result of this deal (or lack thereof)?
The island has been beholden to external parties and interests for centuries, seldom actually enjoying more than a modicum of self-determination. I see the autonomy granted them in 1979 (and further powers in 2009) by Denmark as being uncharacteristically benevolent for international standards, and something that would never be realised in a million years under the USA (particularly with their military presence).
I'd understand if Greenlanders never felt much kinship for the Danes, but I'd be hard-pressed to accept they'd feel any more for Americans. And I can't find any source referencing Greenland's sentiment towards this offer of acceding control to a global superpower they'd likely never enjoy independence from. Do we know if Denmark just did them a favour out of altruism here?
- maxerickson 9y agoThe US ceded control of Philippines and the Marshall Islands (and some other Pacific islands).
- sacheendra 9y agoAnd retained control of Guam, Puerto Rico, etc.
- maxerickson 9y agoThereby proving that the US would never grant a territory autonomy in a million years?