The Despotate of Massachusetts, the Margravate of Ohio and the Grand Duchy of Rhode Island
It could happen, unlikely though it seems. Zogby has polled Americans on separatism, secession and the like and found a jaw dropping 18% would be in favour of their home state leaving the union. Annoyingly, there is no detail by state level.
However, the detail given shows that support for the right to secede is highest among Hispanics (43%) and African Americans (40%), in the South (24%) and among those identifying as Liberal (32) or very Liberal (28%). The young are keener than the old and support for it falls with education.
The group that commissioned the poll, the Middlebury Institute, has a surprisingly long list of North American separatist groups, ranging from the Alaska Independence Party all the way through to the Vermont Republic. Not much doing in the state I'd most like to secede, Massachusetts.
Should Obama fail to win in November, expect more - admittedly small and not entirely serious - rumblings either side of flyover country.
However, the detail given shows that support for the right to secede is highest among Hispanics (43%) and African Americans (40%), in the South (24%) and among those identifying as Liberal (32) or very Liberal (28%). The young are keener than the old and support for it falls with education.
The group that commissioned the poll, the Middlebury Institute, has a surprisingly long list of North American separatist groups, ranging from the Alaska Independence Party all the way through to the Vermont Republic. Not much doing in the state I'd most like to secede, Massachusetts.
Should Obama fail to win in November, expect more - admittedly small and not entirely serious - rumblings either side of flyover country.
Labels: surveys, United States
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, August 05, 2008 at 8:32 am.
You can skip to the end and leave a response.
I think it is inevitable that large parts of America will break away from the Union. Democracy isn't working there. It's too big. Only business interests hold importance.
The American people won't put up with it indefinitely.
It is interesting that 78% of the respondents disagree with the statement, "I believe any state or region has the right to peaceably secede and become an independent republic"...
...when the US government has supported the right of Kosovo so secede from the rest of Serbia and would probably do the same for Chechnya had it tried.
I wonder what the 78% think should happen if a US state seeks to declare independence. An invasion perhaps?
Anthony - I do not think that there is much hunger for a break up, beyond a few nuts with M16s in the Rockies. I would think that a rise in Hispanic separatism is the only serious threat, otherwise it is shades of an Onion article noting 'South postpones rising again for yet another year', complete with this gem: 'Lord willing, and the creek don't rise, we gonna rise again'.
Ian - Indeed. Declassified papers also show that Uncle Sam would like to get his mitts on Alberta if Canada breaks up.
» Post a Comment