# We must cut down on the number of nations **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 28, 2013, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-cut-down-on-the-number-of-nations/672401 "2013-10-28T00:06:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-cut-down-on-the-number-of-nations/672401/21 "2013-10-28T04:51:45Z")
What about poor Tuvalu? ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-cut-down-on-the-number-of-nations/672401/22 "2013-10-28T05:05:19Z")
"Dear Mr. President, there are too many states these days. Please eliminate three. I am NOT a crackpot. " > [@buddha\_david](#): > > A lot of these pairings could be based on historical unions. So: > > **UK + Ireland** > Spain + Portugal > Germany + France šŸ˜ƒ > _Austria + Hungary_ > _Czech Republic + Slovakia_ > Egypt + Syria > **Israel + Palestine** > **Ethiopia + Eritrea** > **Sudan + South Sudan** > _South Africa + Namibia_ > _ **Pakistan + Bangladesh** _ > **Indonesia + East Timor** > Colombia + Panama Bold = yeah, good luck with that. Italics = maybe they wouldnā€™t mind that much (no enmity), but they already reprinted their money once! Pakistan/Bangladesh, Iā€™m not sure how much they hate each other these days. > [@deadtwo99](#): > > What about poor Tuvalu? Not a country, but they could join with Cocos (Keeling) Islands to become .cc.tv Ireland (or Scotland)+Norway, to start a new Viking empire. Japan+Germany - Weirdpornistan ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-cut-down-on-the-number-of-nations/672401/23 "2013-10-28T05:08:01Z")
The problem is that neighbouring countries with close cultural ties are often the countries which would most object to unifying into one. Anyone who grew up with a sibling would understand that you often argue the most with the one who is closest to you. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-cut-down-on-the-number-of-nations/672401/24 "2013-10-28T05:20:27Z")
Language is a huge issue. Often linguistic minorities fight independence campaigns, so I think itā€™s a bad idea to lump people together who speak dissimilar languages. San Marino-Italy could work. The Vatican is not a member of the UN, so it can stay separate. Finland suffered for centuries under Swedish domination, Iceland under Danish, and Norway under Danish then Swedish, so perhaps better pairings would be Norway-Iceland Sweden-Denmark (the Oresund Bridge makes this more practical) Finland-Estonia (the languages are similar and very different from the Scandinavian ones) Other unions that make sense to me: [ul] [li]France-Monaco[/li][li]Andorra-Spain[/li][li]Romania-Moldova[/li][li]Panama-Costa Rica[/li][li]Greece-Cyprus (the majority of Cypriots speak Greek, not Turkish)[/li][li]Switzerland-Liechtenstein[/li][li]Germany-Austria[/li][li]Luxembourg-Belgium (Belgium-Netherlands is problematic, because the Waloons will fight it and France-Belgium would be opposed by the Flemish)[/li][li]Ireland-Malta (both Catholic, both have English as one of the official languages, both are in Europe. UK-Ireland could never work for reasons that should be obvious.)[/li][li]Turkey-Azerbaijan (would piss off Armenia to no end but I see no other reasonable mate for Turkey)[/li][li]Suriname-Netherlands (both speak Dutch; Surinameā€™s independence was achieved without violence, so there is hope the reintegration could be nonviolent)[/li][li]Russia-Belarus (Belarus is probably more similar to Russia in outlook than any other former Soviet Republic[/li][li]Ukraine-Poland [/li][li]Slovakia-Czech Republic [/li][li]Portugal-Brazil (the dissolution of the Empire in the 1820s was effected with little violence and relations are good today)[/li][li]US-Canada[/li][li]The UK could reunite with one of its former colonies in the Caribbean I suppose[/li]Israel-Singapore. (I donā€™t see any other good option for Israel except the US whose most obvious match is Canada)[/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-cut-down-on-the-number-of-nations/672401/25 "2013-10-28T06:00:33Z")
Israel - weā€™d be happy to join with Micronesia. The two countries already get along [swimmingly](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel%E2%80%93Federated_States_of_Micronesia_relations); Micronesia would profit from increased Israeli attention and investment, while Israel would be able to preserve its vaunted independence. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-cut-down-on-the-number-of-nations/672401/26 "2013-10-28T06:30:56Z")
Australia and New Zealand could never amalgamateā€¦thereā€™d be be too much blood shed over rugby games, let alone those netball nutjobs. Sorryā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-cut-down-on-the-number-of-nations/672401/27 "2013-10-28T07:46:34Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > Spain + Portugal Nah, Spain+Andorraā€¦ there isnā€™t the bad blood that there is with Portugal. ---
**Author:** ![Longshanks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Longshanks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Longshanks)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-cut-down-on-the-number-of-nations/672401/28 "2013-10-28T10:40:57Z")
In case you think Iā€™ve gone nuts I was inspired by various fascinating ideas to make the UK and France effectively one country, most recently during [the Suez Crisis](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco-British_Union#Suez_Crisis_.281956.29) and also WWII; [/QUOTE] Hijack: There was time in the middle ages when most of modern day France and UK were technically united under one house. [Angevin Empire - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angevin_Empire) ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-cut-down-on-the-number-of-nations/672401/29 "2013-10-28T11:32:18Z")
> [@sisu](#): > > Canā€™t see the Finns joining Sweden, they would probably be better joined with Estonia, at least that way they can understand each other. I donā€™t think Swedish speaking Finns would agree wholeheartedly. And as an extra, Estonians, at least those who live along the Gulf of Finland and watch Finnish TV, can understand Finnish, but itā€™s not mutual. Estonian is, as far as I understand, for historical reasons closer to the Finnish spoken in Northern Sweden than to Finnish in Finland. > [@bibliophage](#): > > Finland suffered for centuries under Swedish domination ā€¦ That is what Finns want to believe. Although the centre of the realm was Stockholm (really it wasnā€™t, the court moved around and stayed here and there for some time) present day Finland was just the Eastern part of the country. The idea of nation states based on language etc is a very modern concept. Before the Vienna Congress this was a non-issue. > [@bibliophage](#): > > Norway-Iceland > Sweden-Denmark (the Oresund Bridge makes this more practical) In my opinion Norway and Sweden would be natural partners. We have much more in common than either of us has with Denmark. ---
**Author:** ![PaulParkhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@PaulParkhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaulParkhead)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-cut-down-on-the-number-of-nations/672401/30 "2013-10-28T13:14:28Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Not a country, but they could join with Cocos (Keeling) Islands to become .cc.tv > > Ireland (or Scotland)+Norway, to start a new Viking empire. > > Japan+Germany - Weirdpornistan Tuvalu is a country - itā€™s been independent of the UK since 1978. Scotland, on the other hand, is not a nation state, so itā€™ll have to be Ireland joining with the Norwegians to loot and pillage. ---
**Author:** ![willthekittensurvive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/91b2a8/32.png) [@willthekittensurvive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/willthekittensurvive)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-cut-down-on-the-number-of-nations/672401/31 "2013-10-28T13:26:29Z")
> [@bibliophage](#): > > [ul] > > [li]Luxembourg-Belgium (Belgium-Netherlands is problematic, because the Waloons will fight it and France-Belgium would be opposed by the Flemish)[/li] > [li]Suriname-Netherlands (both speak Dutch; Surinameā€™s independence was achieved without violence, so there is hope the reintegration could be nonviolent)[/li][/ul] I would split up Belgium in three parts across the 3 languages, Dutch part into the Netherlands, French part into France and the small german area into Germany. Still pair Suriname with the Netherlands ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-cut-down-on-the-number-of-nations/672401/32 "2013-10-28T13:43:14Z")
Can the UK join with Denmark? They mostly speak great English and often come out tops for ā€˜happiest citizensā€™. And they make great telly. Not sure what we would give them in returnā€¦ better bacon? Despite the sniggering at the back, I think UK+Ireland could work as culturally weā€™re right on top of each other - heck, most of us are related - provided we shifted the capital to, say, Cardiff. And maybe make [Michael Higgins](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_Ireland) King (heā€™s so adorable). ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-cut-down-on-the-number-of-nations/672401/33 "2013-10-28T13:50:20Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Israel - weā€™d be happy to join with Micronesia. The two countries already get along [swimmingly](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel%E2%80%93Federated_States_of_Micronesia_relations); Micronesia would profit from increased Israeli attention and investment, while Israel would be able to preserve its vaunted independence. Until the aliens who are able to cross interstellar distance tell you that you are going to join with Gabon and thatā€™s final!!!šŸ˜ƒ For Pakistan, my preferred choice would be South Africa. We can play cricket more or less year round. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-cut-down-on-the-number-of-nations/672401/34 "2013-10-28T13:58:49Z")
I doubt that Monaco+France would work since micro states probably wonā€™t want to merge with large countries, so I guess it would end up with something like Monaco+San Marino. I wouldnā€™t mind France merging with Germany, but they probably wouldnā€™t want us, and we probably would end up pairing with Italy. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-cut-down-on-the-number-of-nations/672401/35 "2013-10-28T15:07:49Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > "Dear Mr. President, there are too many states these days. Please eliminate three. I am NOT a crackpot. ā€œIā€™ll be deep in the cold, cold, ground before I recognize Missouri!ā€ Japan + Germany isnā€™t a bad idea. I doubt any of Japanā€™s Asian neighbours would be interested. Jamaica + the Netherlands; would make the most chilled out nation on Earth. Any ideas on the two big boys, China and India? Other nations would be loath to be in such a minority and I could see both demanding to be the one exception. ---
**Author:** ![willthekittensurvive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/91b2a8/32.png) [@willthekittensurvive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/willthekittensurvive)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-cut-down-on-the-number-of-nations/672401/36 "2013-10-28T15:10:28Z")
> [@Mr.Kobayashi](#): > > Jamaica + the Netherlands; would make the most chilled out nation on Earth. > > . well less if youā€™re gay ---
**Author:** ![ctnguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@ctnguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ctnguy)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-cut-down-on-the-number-of-nations/672401/37 "2013-10-28T15:11:55Z")
South Africa would naturally absorb Lesotho, which is completely surrounded and already has an annexationist movement. We could also absorb Swaziland, which is mostly surrounded, and solve the odd-one-out problem. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-cut-down-on-the-number-of-nations/672401/38 "2013-10-28T15:48:37Z")
I propose the new country of Trinidad, Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, although the new nation may be immediately thrown into civil war between the Oxford and non-Oxford comma factions. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-cut-down-on-the-number-of-nations/672401/39 "2013-10-28T16:29:40Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > As a Canadian whoā€™s been to both countries, I disagree. The British are weird and far away. Weā€™re also the best match for the United States, which by the rules set down by the aliens must join with someone and weā€™re supposed to be working together here so the aliens donā€™t blow usfup, or we blow ourselves up, or whatever. Wonā€™t someone think of Puerto Rico! (I suppose they could find someone nearby that theyā€™re on good terms with. Anyone have a good candidate?) > [@njtt](#): > > On the whole, though, I think the task is hopeless. We would be best advised to just hunker down and wait for the q-bomb to hit. +1. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-cut-down-on-the-number-of-nations/672401/40 "2013-10-28T16:42:41Z")
Portugal and Brazil Nepal and Bhutan Mongolia and Hungary (two countries united by a heritage of bloodthirsty conquering hordes) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-cut-down-on-the-number-of-nations/672401.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-cut-down-on-the-number-of-nations/672401.md?page=3)