A state

[mrswdk]

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-30150681

Islamic State and the idea of statehood

One quote in particular that I find interesting:

But IS, as outlined above, is not regarded as a state. How can it be denied recognition? Not by appealing to any legal rule, but by invoking the moral imperative that violence and terror cannot be rewarded. Politics provides the morality - and subjectivity - that the law lacks.'

What gives other states the right to declare that another state has no moral right to exist? Why isn't the law the supreme arbitrator?

[DoomYoshi]

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-30150681

Islamic State and the idea of statehood

One quote in particular that I find interesting:

But IS, as outlined above, is not regarded as a state. How can it be denied recognition? Not by appealing to any legal rule, but by invoking the moral imperative that violence and terror cannot be rewarded. Politics provides the morality - and subjectivity - that the law lacks.'

What gives other states the right to declare that another state has no moral right to exist? Why isn't the law the supreme arbitrator?

From the Syrian constitution:

Chapter 1 Basic Principles

Part 1 Political Principles

Article 1 [Arab Nation, Socialist Republic]
(1) The Syrian Arab Republic is a democratic, popular, socialist, and sovereign state. No part of its territory can be ceded. Syria is a member of the Union of the Arab Republics.

From the Iraqian constitution:

Article 1:

The Republic of Iraq is a single federal, independent and fully sovereign state in which the system of government is republican, representative, parliamentary, and democratic, and this Constitution is a guarantor of the unity of Iraq.


Article 2:
First: Islam is the official religion of the State and is a foundation source of legislation:
A. No law may be enacted that contradicts the established provisions of Islam
B. No law may be enacted that contradicts the principles of democracy.
C. No law may be enacted that contradicts the rights and basic freedoms stipulated in this Constitution.

They have a really messy constitution (more like the Canadian one than the Azerbaijani one), but an indivisibility clause is also in the 1925 edition.

show

I stress, once again, that these clauses have greater likelihood the closer you are to the former USSR.

[saxitoxin]

I voted only the DPRK as it has the two integral characteristics of statehood - monopoly of violence in its territory, and recognition by other states.

Taiwan and Palestine only each have one of the integral characteristics, Taiwan a monopoly of violence, and Palestine recognition by other states.

The others seem to have zero of the characteristics, though I suppose one could debate how true that is in any of these cases.

[DoomYoshi]

So which one of us was this a trap for?

[mrswdk]

DY, you voted for Taiwan but not for IS?

[mrswdk]

The Principality of Sealand's Wiki page, for those in the unawares.

[DoomYoshi]

I abstained.

Even so, voting for IS is pretty evil. If they are a legitimate state, then the US will stop existing:

show

[saxitoxin]

show

I think the Syrian one might be from the '73 constitution? But I'm not sure. I just seem to recall the new one unfortunately places less emphasis on Pan-Arabism, socialism, and anti-Zionism in the preamble.

[oVo]

Dear John McCain:

I realize you are a self proclaimed maverick, but suggest you reacquaint yourself with world geography as to where America's worst threats exist on this planet. Fact is, you are personally at a minimum risk period. While the rest of us in the Americas are more likely to be murdered by local residents other than terrorists associated with either Syria or Iraq. All existential hazards are in your mind.

[_sabotage_]

Dear little person,

Even my secretary can't be bothered to capitalize you. The US is extremely proud of ISIS. What do you think about the uniforms? They shall bring security to the people for years to come.