Country, Nation, State, etc [Was: No Flags "Policy"]

[Dominic Howells <mail-list domhowells com>]

On Sun, 2003-11-23 at 10:21, Damon Chaplin wrote:
> > Here is the proof: http://www.un.org/Overview/unmember.html
> 
> No, this proof is better, from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office:
> 
> http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1019745064429
> 
> Q:   Where can I find out more about the countries that make up the UK? 
> A:   The UK is made up of the countries of England, Scotland, Wales and
> Northern Ireland. Its full name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain
> and Northern Ireland. Great Britain, on the other hand, comprises only
> England, Scotland and Wales.

The only `legal' entity in international law is the `Sovereign State'.
The Republic of Ireland is such a sovereign state, as is the United
Kingdom. Any other divisions are somewhat arbitrary. The UK is made of
countries, the USA of states (not individually sovereign), there is no
real legal difference. Both the USAs states and UKs countries have a
similar semi-devolved INTERNAL legal status, but no international legal
status.

The issue of sport is a different one entirely and is largely arbitrary
and historical. The UK competes in the Olympics, while England, Wales,
and Scotland compete seperately in the rugby, and as to the issue of
identity, well... Some consider themselves English, Welsh, Scottish,
(Northern) Irish, British, others European, although very few would say
`UKish'.

So although the divisions are a bit woolly, it's the sovereign state
with which the UN is concerned.

-- 
Dom Howells | e: dom domhowells com
t: 01844 339355 | m: 07956 224714
-- 
Dom Howells | e: dom domhowells com
t: 01844 339355 | m: 07956 224714