International recognition Legitimacy versus libertarian principles: how to balance the two
International recognition by other countries does not always have to mean recognition by the UN. The example of Switzerland not joining the UN until 2002 is a perfect example of this, nobody would argue that Switzerland was not a country until 2002 even though that’s what other people would use in the argument against Liberland’s recognition. The Old Swiss Confederacy was established in 1291 but it did not join the UN until 2002 even though the UN was established in 1945. With that being said the biggest issue in terms of Liberland is the recognition by countries that are in the UN.
Another point that can be made for this is libertarian principles. What I mean by this is does Liberland stand up for established libertarian principles or does Liberland capitulate to the international standards of treaties and laws which are contrary to what Liberland was established for.
This is a very delicate balance between being recognized by other nation states, and standing up for principles on which your country is established for. In order to satisfy both standards the “UN” would say that you have to compromise on certain issues like inalienable rights for the people. Liberland cannot in any way compromise on those inalienable rights that Liberland is to be the gold standard for people to have. Liberland must stand up for those other people in other countries where they cannot speak for themselves.
We cannot allow international organizations to dictate what laws should be in Liberland, while this is true with the referendum that has to go before the people before a law is in force the larger issue at hand and this is also true for Switzerland in terms of the referendum is this. There are certain “rights” or “powers” that are abdicated to these international organizations. Switzerland in terms of the EU has a very unique relationship with them, they are completely surrounded by countries that are in the EU, but Switzerland itself is not and does not want to join the EU as multiple referenda has proven. However, the EU does dictate Swiss Law in multiple ways by virtue of being in the Schengen area, by being in the uniformity of the Schengen area, it has in some respects abdicated certain rights such as certain firearms laws, and certain immigration policies to the EU in exchange for freedom of movement as well as being in the common market in certain aspects.
The Swiss are being held hostage and while the Swiss do vote on it, they feel they are powerless on these issues against the EU, it is very true for Liberland as well. I believe this because if we allow the UN and the EU, as we are neighbors with an EU neighbor that this can become a very difficult issue for Liberland. We have to be steadfast in our principles, no matter what, but we also have to be careful to not alienate our neighbors, this is something that needs to be discussed with everyone very carefully before any action is to be taken.