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Frédérik: In a feature (­http://www.goodmagazine.com/section/) with Good magazine, Christopher Ketcham discusses Vermont secessionism along with broader rationales for seceding from the Union. What struck me in particular was his view that the United States is simply too big for its own good, a conclusion I’ve reached based on my own observations. The U.S. – unlike, say, Canada – is a deeply divided country – hot-button issues like abortion and gay rights only scratch the surface – and it seems rather ridiculous for various political/cultural factions to continually fight each other for control over the government bludgeon. And yet, the end result of all these secessionist movements might very well transform the United States into something very different – it might not even be a “United” States. Do you agree with Ketcham that the U.S. experiment has failed? What will it mean to be American in a post-secessionist U.S.?

Kyle: I would have to agree that the U.S. has indeed become far too large for it to maintain itself without resorting to more authoritarian modes of rule. The nation is already split along cultural lines, with New Englanders being very European in attitude, Southerners being conservative and Christian, Alaskans and Hawaiians not really being connected to the U.S. at all (least of all physically), and with us Californians being something that I can only label as Californian. I think that being an American in a world where these cultural differences are translated into different governments would be much like being a Roman after the Roman Empire collapsed. We would share a common past that serves as a basis for understanding each other, but we would be free from the fear of having these other people restrain our freedoms and culture in ways we would not agree with.

Several Illustrations

Frédérik: We can expand on the previous question by considering Kosovo’s recent declaration of independence, a declaration recognized by the U.S. and several European countries. More revealing than the argument in favour of self-government is the reaction of countries opposed to the declaration, notably Russia and China. Of course, the objection stems from the fact that both countries are dealing with separatism within their own countries. For either country to recognize Kosovo’s independence, it would be necessary for Russia to accept that the Soviet Union of old no longer exists and for China to acknowledge Taiwan and Tibet’s independence. Spain – with its Basque separatists – is similarly compelled to resist acknowledging Kosovo. At heart is a notion of historical unity, as if borders, once established, must forever remain unchanged. It’s a notion that exists very much here in the U.S. as well, as the Civil War (setting aside the issue of slavery) proved, and an important consideration in terms of international relations. Assuming California and/or other states, were to secede without “too much trouble,” what do you think would happen to the United States and the newly independent states on the world stage? Is there a realistic chance of other countries recognizing the legitimacy of an independent California? How would U.S. influence across the world be changed, a crucial point given the complex network of alliances and dependencies the U.S. is enmeshed in?

Numerous Variables

Kyle: This is a very complex topic that you’ve raised. A lot of it depends on how many states are seceding, which states decide to secede, and the assumption that there won’t be very much ‘trouble’ coming from the United States. However, if we can assume that California secedes by itself and the U.S. allows us to go ‘without too much trouble,’ then I can certainly see essentially every other country out there quickly recognizing California’s independence. Even in the event that the U.S. doesn’t recognize California as independent, there would still be numerous countries out there who are not so beholden to the U.S. ready to accept it, and willing to open formal relations with a Californian government. However, I feel that the U.S. could stand to gain a lot of respect from the world should it allow California to secede, if only for the virtue of not being hypocritical on the issue of seceding states and the democratic self-determination of people. As for the network of alliances that the U.S. is engaged in, the only way I could see there being a danger of massive confusion would be if the entirety of the U.S. were to split apart without any remnant of the federal government remaining. Even in that event, the other nations of the world would assuredly be able to handle themselves without us holding their hands along the way.

Frédérik: On your group’s website, independentca.com, your bio mentions that you are 21 years old. It reminds me of the time my high school sent me, along with a few classmates, to a symposium put on by the province of Ontario to discuss the math curriculum. I don’t remember much about the symposium’s outcome, but I do have vivid memories of us students being patted on the head condescendingly by the “adults” whenever we contributed again. Do you find that your age has made it difficult to be taken seriously? What obstacles do you face in getting your message across? What has driven you personally to take up secession as a cause?

Kyle: I honestly haven’t experienced any age-related bias from the people I’ve discussed secession with. But, considering that our organization is still very new, I won’t discount the possibility that it may occur sometime in the future. The main obstacle that our organization has had in getting its message across has simply been lack of exposure to the public, which this article, and a small piece in Congressional Quarterly that is being published in April will start to rectify.

To answer your question as to why I have decided to take up the cause of secession, the simple reason is that I see some very serious problems in the government that I don’t believe anyone has the ability to fix from within the system, and the only possible solution that I see is to remove California from that broken system and start anew. I really do love the people of the United States, and I love the ideas and ideals that this country was founded on. But all I can see when I look at the government today is waste, corruption and a future where my rights and liberties will become further curtailed and controlled. If I believed that there were some way for the U.S. to somehow fix itself, I can guarantee you that I would be involved in that solution. But as it stands right now, the system is broken without any conceivable way of fixing it.

To be concluded next week…