TOKELAU | Is Independence Possible?

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In May 2020, a leader of the tiny Pacific territory of Tokelau suggested that the islands could hold a referendum on independence from New Zealand. If it were to become an independent sovereign state, it would become the world's smallest country by quite some margin. So, is statehood really a viable option? Or is Tokelau simply just too small to be an independent country?
Hello and welcome! My name is James Ker-Lindsay. Here I take an informed look at International Relations with a focus on territorial conflicts, secession, independence movements and new countries. If you like what you see, please do subscribe. If you want more, including exclusive content and benefits, consider becoming a channel member. Many thanks!
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Tokelau is one of the most remote territories on earth. It is also one of the smallest. Its population stands at just 1,400. Despite this, the UN has had it on its list of non-self-governing territories since 1946. Although it held two referendums on free association with New Zealand, in 2006 and 2007, neither met the required two-thirds threshold to pass. However, it now seems that a third attempt might be planned for 2025. This time, however, the status quo would not be an option. Tokelau would be expected to make a choice between integration or free association with New Zealand, or full independence. If it were to choose independence, it would have a mere tenth the population of the current smallest UN member by population, the nearby Pacific island state Tuvalu. This raises questions about whether it would meet the conditions for Statehood as laid down by the Montevideo Convention, or whether it would be viable as a sovereign independent state in real terms.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction and Titles
0:54 A Proposal for a Referendum on Tokelau's Future
1:58 The Geography and History of Tokelau
3:51 Tokelau, Decolonisation and the UN
4:40 The 2006 & 2007 Referendums on Free Association
6:15 Integration vs Free Association with New Zealand
8:14 Is Independence Possible?
12:57 The Future of Tokelau
RELATED PLAYLISTS
Current Issues and Disputes • CURRENT ISSUES AND DIS...
International Relations, Independence and Secession • INTERNATIONAL RELATION...
Secession and Independence in Asia and Oceania • ASIA AND OCEANIA
United Nations Membership • UNITED NATIONS MEMBERSHIP
=======================================
FURTHER READING & USEFUL SOURCES
Government of Tokelau www.tokelau.org.nz
UN Page on Tokelau www.un.org/dppa/decolonizatio...
Secession and State Creation: What Everyone Needs to Know amzn.to/2MPY3W2 [PRE-ORDER]
Ashgate Research Companion to Secession amzn.to/2FabXyh
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Satow's Diplomatic Practice amzn.to/2sF1Kak
Recognition in International Relations amzn.to/2SJJmaY
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KEYWORDS
#Tokelau #NewZealand #Decolonization
#InternationalPolitics #CurrentAffairs #InternationalRelations
#Secession #Statehood #Independence
#InternationalLaw #InternationalHistory
#Pacific #PacificIslands #Decolonisation
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Пікірлер: 153

@JamesKerLindsay 4 жыл бұрын

This is probably one of the least well-known issues I have covered. However, I couldn't resist after seeing a report noting that it might hold a referendum that would include independence. By the way, as an interesting side note to the story, New Zealand's current Administrator for Tokelau is a diplomat called Ross Ardern - the father of New Zealand's Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern. (This is not to suggest anything untoward. He is a respected diplomat who was previously New Zealand's High Commissioner to Niue.) Thanks for watching. If you found this video useful, please do consider giving it a 'Like' and sharing it with others who might be interested. And do all consider subscribing. It helps the channel to grow! Much appreciated!

@samsniper2000 4 жыл бұрын

What are the UNs views on New Caledonia and French Guyana?

@JamesKerLindsay 4 жыл бұрын

The Observer Good question. New Caledonia is on the UN’a list of non-self-governing territories, and so it is essentially viewed as a colony. French Guiana is an overseas department of France, and thus considered to be a part of France, which means it isn’t viewed as a colony by the UN.

@klawiehr 4 жыл бұрын

Nice catch and thank you for the report, news on this referendum totally slipped me by.

@tennis501tennis501 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this interesting study of Tokelau - facsinating; Tuvalu is another facsinating study

@abcddef2112 3 жыл бұрын

Is one of the reason independence is controversial because the new zealand gov and other western countries are afraid of possiblities of chinese influence in the pacific, the traditionally western-dependant countries.

@MartintheMetalhead 4 жыл бұрын

Tokelua is very small, it has no airport. so a ship from Samoa goes there once a month. I met a Nun form Tokelau in Australia.

@selwyngamble4585 3 жыл бұрын

As a Pacific Kiwi myself. (Half Tongan and New Zealander) I can tell you that the population of New Zealand isn’t even aware of our sovereignty in the Pacific. Another issue is the power of influence in the Pacific. Independent states such as Sāmoa, Tonga and Vanuatu are falling into tremendous debt from China in return for influence (eg the removal of Tawainese recognition). The colonial holdings in the Pacific from New Zealand, Australia, The USA and France are the very thing creating a buffer for Chinese influence in the Pacific.

@sparks1792 2 жыл бұрын

This they will fall in the debt trap

@matejsebechlebsky12 Жыл бұрын

What is better about being part of western sphere of influence. At least Chinese do something for countries that they expect to play by their rules

@DylanRoberts7 Жыл бұрын

@@matejsebechlebsky12 Like put them into crippling debt that they'll never be able to repay without being forced to take more loans from China and given up more of their sovereignty in the process? Yikes.

@Denozo88 Жыл бұрын

@@matejsebechlebsky12 They debt trap them and then take the money for themselves in the end how is that a good thing?

@rhinarium3984 3 жыл бұрын

I always thought that free associated states were sovereign states that left some responsibilities to another more influential state, but nevertheless sovereign. I've always considered Niue and the Cook Islands as independent as Palau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, as they too are associated states.

@JamesKerLindsay 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks. This is a really interesting point. I am actually hoping to do something on Free Association soon. There’s actually two main approaches: New Zealand vs United States. NZ seems more restrictive as it doesn’t allow UN membership as part of the arrangement. The US does.

@lincolnlog5977 3 жыл бұрын

The US Associated states are considered Independent because the US places far less policy restrictions on them than New Zealand does on theirs.

@JamesKerLindsay 3 жыл бұрын

Exactly. I’m hoping to cover this soon.

@Solo-vh9fm 2 жыл бұрын

I think what makes Niue and CI different from those other states is that all citizens of Niue and CI are New Zealand citizens and only carry NZ passports (this is not the case with the US associated states whose citizens aren’t US citizens and have their own passports), which imo is probably the most indicative of sovereignty. The two are definitely independent (perhaps as much as Australia, Canada and NZ were in the early 20th century) but not sovereign, because it relies on another state just to get out.

@rhinarium3984 2 жыл бұрын

@@Solo-vh9fm I do not think citizenship is relevant. Niue and the Cook Islands do have another sovereign state's citizenship, but the truth is that citizenship does not define states, since a state is just a political unit that possesses a defined territory, a permanent population and a top-level government. A state can, in theory, refuse to grant to its permanent population the corresponding citizenship and still be a sovereign state. In my opinion Niue and the Cook Islands are ambiguous states, given that they sometimes function as sovereign states and others as autonomous administrative divisions of New Zealand and I say that because of two details: the first one is that both states are part of the Realm of New Zealand, meaning that they share the same head of state, this is, Queen Elizabeth II as the monarch of New Zealand (not to be confused with the monarch of the United Kingdom, a distinct position occupied by the same person), meaning that Niue and the Cook Islands are part of the same state, New Zealand, however, at the same time, they are also states in free association with New Zealand, which means that they are sovereign states that leave some aspects of their sovereignty, like defense and international relations, to a more influential state, all with consent and without renouncing to their sovereignty of course. Both of these concepts are contradictory, unless we understand them as ambiguous, this is, that they sometimes function as sovereign states in free association with New Zealand and sometimes as autonomous administrative divisions of New Zealand. So, in my opinion, and I may be completely mistaken, they are sovereign states, but only when they want to function as such, and so, they should appear listed as sovereign states.

@cubasfidelcastro 4 жыл бұрын

I'm kinda wondering, if Tokelau actually ended up independent in the not too distant future, how many people would such an extraordinarily small place actually need to fulfill all the tasks demanded from it being an sovereign nation? What's the barest minimum of people a diplomatic service would need?

@JamesKerLindsay 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Exactly! Even maintaining the smallest embassy in New Zealand would be costly. As well as an ambassador, it would probably need at least a consular office for the 8,000 Tokelauns in the country. Then try setting up a viable mission at the UN in New York! At the least, this would require a head of mission and two other staff members to keep even a minimal eye on all the activities going on. The costs for a country of 1400 people, all this would be prohibitive, especially given the opportunity cost for things like healthcare and education.

@Terrus_38 4 жыл бұрын

Wow, you have ads on your videos! Congratulations! Also wow, you have over 3k subscribers, I didn't look on this number for ages, I remember when you had 84 subscribers - greetings, I hope all's good!

@JamesKerLindsay 4 жыл бұрын

Hi there! So nice to see you! How are things!? I hope all is well at your end. Yes, things have come on a bit these past few months. :-) But always so brilliant to see familiar names from the very start of things! On the ads, I was monetised about a month ago. I was a bit hesitant to use ads at first, but I thought why not?! I still have to put in a lot of time and then there’s the equipment and other expenses. Seems fair to be able to cover at least a fraction of my costs. Hopefully, people understand and don’t mind too much!

@VIC-hx2ny 4 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKerLindsay I'm here since the very beginning and I'm very happy how all this is growing. Every friday I learn new things with you

@Terrus_38 4 жыл бұрын

James Ker-Lindsay Everything's alright here, holidays are nice (opposed to the rainy and windy weather recently :D), and I just wish you all the best and to become more appreciated on KZfaq, 3000 subscribers is too few, but I know they will come ;)

@kubok4602 2 жыл бұрын

Gdzie nie pójdę tam spotkam P~J. To już klątwa

@VIC-hx2ny 4 жыл бұрын

maybe it can be interesting a video on Kaliningrad/Köningsberg

@JamesKerLindsay 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks. This is a great subject. Could it be independent if it wanted? The geopolitical issues it raises would be huge!

@deanfirnatine7814 2 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKerLindsay Russia will never give it up willingly

@maxprokopenko4692 2 жыл бұрын

Great video, just learned about Tokelau today. Subbed!

@VaePomegGlitch 2 жыл бұрын

Watched like 20 of your videos back to back today, learned a lot. Thanks

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Blimey! Well done. And many thanks! :-)

@VIC-hx2ny 4 жыл бұрын

very interesting!

@filippoardizzone8216 4 жыл бұрын

Hi, James! As always, this is a fantastic video full of interesting knowledge. I hope that your channel grows and that you keep creating content as great as this video. I would enjoy a video abaut the possibile independence of the Veneto region in Italy o perhaps just independentism in Italy. Keep going on, you're a great content creator!

@JamesKerLindsay 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Filippo, thanks so much. I really appreciate the support! The subject of independence movements in Italy is fascinating, especially when framed against the origins of Italy. You are absolutely right. I really should do something on it.

@computer-training-for-seniors Жыл бұрын

Very interesting professor. Next year I'm planning on visiting Tokelau by boat from Samoa. I want to study its solar power facilities, an example for the whole world.

@JamesKerLindsay Жыл бұрын

Wow! That will be an amazing trip. Incredible. Do let me know how you get on!

@xizuq6416 4 жыл бұрын

Hi, James! Could you make a video on the unique situation of Vatican as a state? Thanks.

@JamesKerLindsay 4 жыл бұрын

Hi there! Thanks so much. That is a really great suggestion. I was thinking about this as I was making this video. We think of it as a state. And it is. But it isn't really a country! I think that it what sets it apart. I really must do something on this!

@andrewdalpacifico 3 жыл бұрын

Interesting video, thanks

@JamesKerLindsay 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Glad you liked it.

@SupImTylerP 2 жыл бұрын

I feel like Tokelau would be a good example of why an international organization focussed on the independent rights, power, and needs of smaller countries should exist. If countries like Nauru, Tuvalu, and arguably even Monaco or San Marino could join together in an international union that focussed on the interests and independence of the member microstates, that would possibly make those small countries - like Tokelau - more viable in the modern day with less need for a foreign policy or a legal status of dependence on a more powerful neighboring country.

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! That's a really fascinating idea. Instead of a regional bloc to pool sovereignty, they form a confederation to do it. I guess my big question is whether their respective size draws them more closely together than their respective geography. Would a Pacific Island microstate have more in common with a European microstates than it would have with other larger Pacific Island states? But the idea of a Global Confederation of States is really great to imagine! :-)

@JuanMartinez-ep7yy 3 жыл бұрын

This is really interesting Mr Lindsay, which by the way also reminds me of a similar case, Greenland is another dependent territory which seeks independence from Denmark, but some people think that independence is unrealistic because of its small population of 56000 inhabitants and its reliance on danish subsidies and grants, could you make a video about that?

@JamesKerLindsay 3 жыл бұрын

Juan Martinez Thanks. Greenland is such an interesting case. I certainly hope to do something on it. In fact, I suspect that I will have no choice soon. (Keep an eye out for my next couple of videos. You.’lol see what I mean.)

@vaimalu4013 3 жыл бұрын

Great work, sir. Thank you! I'm glad I happened across your channel. I'm from American Samoa and feel more and more that we need to be independent in order to drastically improve and be much more productive. What do you think about American Samoa becoming independent or even as a Free Association? Would you mind creating comment about it, please? I would love to share it far and wide. Sincere thank you for what you're doing.

@vaimalu4013 3 жыл бұрын

Creating "content" about it please. What other political status do you think might help improve the status quo?

@JamesKerLindsay 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for the kind comment and the brilliant suggestion. I have actually been thinking about free association as an idea, and doing a video comparing US and New Zealand approaches to the concept. But a video on American Samoa would really be worth doing in its own right. I have put it on my list! In the meantime, what are the current attitudes amongst American Samoans? What do you want to see happen?

@soundmind9772 3 жыл бұрын

Tokelau is definitely not too small to be fully independent. It could opt out of trade agreements and would be unaffected by laws that protect intellectual property rights. This would allow Tokelau-based businesses to sell digital assets to a worldwide customer base at zero cost. This also creates unique opportunities for biotech and even medical tourism. Intellectual property developed in Tokelau could be protected elsewhere in the world while the reverse would not apply.

@TheLocalLt 4 жыл бұрын

Another great video! I might have prefaced the discussion by specifying what “free association” means in a New Zealand context, as it is crucially different from “free association” in an American context. There are several fully independent Pacific countries that have free association agreements with America, for the purposes of defense, and although upon the independence of the American Pacific Islands in the 1980s America first proposed a status where foreign policy and thus sovereignty would be retained by America, this was later dropped and full sovereignty was granted to all of these countries (the exception being the Northern Marianas which elected to remain an American possession under an identical status as Puerto Rico). New Zealand however still possesses its freely associated states such as Tokelau, as it fully controls their foreign policy in addition to defense. This might be worth a video of its own actually

@JamesKerLindsay 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much. Yes, I had a section where I said that I would actually do a video on free association at some point. However, I had to cut it as this video was getting too long! But you make a fantastic point. It is really interesting how the United States and New Zealand clearly see free association in rather different terms. The US seems to see it in more transactional terms. It gets strategic territory and control, but also lets the countries join the UN as extra votes. (Just look at the Marshall Islands voting record.) New Zealand, on the other hand, seems more genuinely engaged with the populations, but prohibits full UN membership - but does allow membership of some agencies. Interestingly, I'm really not quite sure which is the more, or less, colonial form of free association!? What do yo think? Anyway, I certainly plan to do a video on this.

@TheLocalLt 4 жыл бұрын

James Ker-Lindsay in my opinion, the American freely associated states are fully sovereign nations, as they can fully enter into international relations, the American pressure on how to vote is officially coming from an external force, and these states are republics, federations, etc of their own with their own constitutions, “voluntarily” lending control of their defense to America, but not their international relations (at least not officially). America doesn’t feel the need to engage in much development with the islands since they were already built up in the years before independence and now America has basically let them go on their own. Whereas New Zealand takes a much closer interest as you said, but also still retains the control over their foreign affairs. In my mind this makes them non-sovereign entities with international relations performed by New Zealand on their behalf, and thus remaining possessions of the Realm of New Zealand. The structure reminds me of the old French Morocco, except on a miniaturized scale, where the local entity retains control of local populations but remains a protectorate. As you mentioned, New Zealand allows its freely associated states some forms of representation internationally (vs a dependency like Tokelau which doesn’t have any), but these exist by the hand of New Zealand so I wouldn’t count that as being able to enter into international relations. Also none of these New Zealand entities are organized into would-be states such as republics or federations, as they remain part of New Zealand’s government structure. Whereas the countries freely associated with America are essentially regular old puppet states operating nominally independently, the New Zealand free associations are effectively wholly-owned protectorates of the parent, but ones granted a few more foreign representatives than a dependency.

@charlesmadre5568 2 жыл бұрын

@@TheLocalLt That's certainly one way to look at things, but when you actually take a look at an economic comparison, you can see which of the two approaches taken in their entirety ends up being better for the citizens of the associated states. The nominal GDP per capita of the FSM is under $4,000 whereas the figure for the Cook Islands is $22,000.

@TheLocalLt 2 жыл бұрын

@@charlesmadre5568 yep that’s a huge reason why Beijing has hijacked the UN Decolonization Committee, they realize that poor ex-colonies are ripe for debt trap diplomacy. Perhaps in hindsight it would have been better in the long term for the American Pacific Islands to remain possessions of Washington, but political sentiments at the time in the various islands groups were all strongly in favor of independence, with the exception of the N. Marianas (which were more related to Guam than any of the other Pacific Island trust territories anyway) after decades of paltry American investment.

@papapeethehunks 3 жыл бұрын

Nauru has no official capital. I think Tokelau would be no different with Nauru, Tuvalu & Kiribati so that shouldn't be no obstacles at hand save New Zealand's will.

@LarzGustafsson Жыл бұрын

Interesting.

@elicpsescorter5590 2 жыл бұрын

any updates on the independence situation?

@komjeanjacques1816 4 жыл бұрын

Please do a video on Cameroon.

@JamesKerLindsay 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much. Cameroon is certainly on my list!

@komjeanjacques1816 4 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKerLindsay I would like you to cover the problem of Southern Cameroons, it was a british colony whose fate for Independence was ignored with the UN, UK and France involved in the conspiracy. Thats explain why there is conflict now in Cameroon.

@solosunbeam 4 жыл бұрын

Really interesting topic. From the outside it sounds simple, the nation's of Polynesia should pool their resources and form a federation, but I guess in practice it is difficult to convince the politicians of the already sovereign states to give up clout to a federation. I don't see Fiji surrendering sovereignty, nor being a particularly constructive player in a would be federation. It is kind of perverse that the UN wastes resources pressuring for such territories to become independent, all the while discouraging other, more viable, states from becoming independent. It's a very bureaucratic and mechanical approach.

@JamesKerLindsay 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I completely agree. A greater confederation does make more sense, but you’re right about the obvious vested interests. Also, I get the sense that the disparity in size could also make it very difficult to reach agreement on apportioning costs. I just keep thinking of the Micronesia experience and Chuuk (which I plan to cover). I think there’s a real chance that would be replicated. And I also agree on the UN. I can see their point on decolonisation, but effectively forcing a decision on a territory this small is rather problematic.

@papapeethehunks 2 жыл бұрын

Coming from a pageant obsessed country I remember there was a representative of Tokelau at Miss Earth 2005 held in Manila. The only international beauty pageant they ever represented themselves. This is understandable it's a pageant for environmental issues.

@loganjohnston89 Жыл бұрын

Fun fact: Tokelau has a connection to New Zealand being nuclear free, in one of the preceding events our Prime Minister at the time was sailing into Tokelau (as there's no airport) when a port-visit request by America for the USS Buchanan was refused by our government, 15 months later the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone Act came into force, which i believe also covers Tokelau.

@GeographyWorld 4 жыл бұрын

Very interesting! Perhaps Bougainville voting for independence may have set a trend in the Oceania region which Chuuk, New Caledonia and Tokelau may follow. Realistically, I couldn't see a country that small actually functioning by itself, nevermind on the world stage.

@JamesKerLindsay 4 жыл бұрын

Yes, it’s really interesting how Oceania is now the main focus of attention for new state watchers, isn’t it!?

@mlg_dog420 2 жыл бұрын

good video, but i dont understand one of the side points you made, why does a country so small even have a capital? i live in switzerland and we dont have one, and most countries smaller than us, while having a de jure capital, dont pay so much attention to it

@riordanparata4339 3 ай бұрын

As of 2024, Tokelau is now officially a dependent territory of New Zealand, New Zealand’s only territory

@LarzGustafsson Жыл бұрын

Monaco does not have a capital either. Or Singapore, Djibouti, San Marino...

@dusannn 2 жыл бұрын

🇹🇰♥️

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Yes. It seems like a fascinating place.

@LookBackHistory Жыл бұрын

Tuvalu's statehood is a bit ridiculous. Tokelau would be insane.

@Never_Compromise 2 жыл бұрын

James , I love your videos , I'm a Belrusian (who speaks english very well as you can see) I'd like to see you explore Belarus's historic ties to Russia. I can tell you that most of us don't mind being mixed in with Russian's, because truth be told that we do consider ourselfs as Russian.

@atomm3331 7 ай бұрын

Enjoy being part of a rotting corpse of a country then lol. Just tell your russki vatniks to leave Ukraine alone.

@supreme2456 3 жыл бұрын

Hmm so if there is really no limit then I declare my room independence, capital: my bed, population: 2 (me and my brother), government: Monarchy...

@readisgooddewaterkant7890 4 жыл бұрын

Do a vid on Liberiand

@swazzercool9060 4 жыл бұрын

It’s a joke country, it’s not supposed to be serious

@readisgooddewaterkant7890 4 жыл бұрын

Swazzer Cool it is Serious country for them to like escape taxes

@JamesKerLindsay 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I do hope to do something on it at some point, probably as part of a video on micronations.

@guillaumeroy7528 2 жыл бұрын

My understanding is that states are sovereign if they have the prerogative to exercise their sovereign powers without requiring outside approval. Therefore, if associated states can reappropriate powers they willingly delegate (usually defense and foreign relations) without requiring outside approval, then they are sovereign. Consequently, the Cook Islands and Niue are sovereign but Tokelau currently isn't. In that sense, Canada wasn't sovereign until the appropriation of its constitution from the UK in 1982. If sovereignty required actual independent administration of all affairs by the state government, EU states could be considered non-sovereign because they delegate various sovereign powers to the EU (especially in relation to trade).

@andyt8216 4 жыл бұрын

I look forward to the day when you're discussing an independent Yorkshire joining the UN. Might have to be as a Republic, as our possible (Grand) Duke seems to get himself into unthinkable mischief....

@JamesKerLindsay 4 жыл бұрын

Well, quite! A Republic of Yorkshire doesn’t quite seem to fit. I think it might be one of those countries that only uses the name...Yorkshire. That or one gets the sense that ‘People’s’ needs to be in there somewhere. How about: the People’s Commonwealth of Yorkshire!? :-)

@andyt8216 4 жыл бұрын

Oo, that has a ring to it. I’m definitely for that :)

@MartintheMetalhead 4 жыл бұрын

Cook island and Nuie should bloody well be Independent and UN just like Palau, Micronesia and Marshall Islands.

@charlesmadre5568 2 жыл бұрын

Niue might have trouble with that USD100K membership fee...

@ianrosmarin2232 2 жыл бұрын

we have too many small states just look at the Caribbean

@oliversissonphone6143 2 жыл бұрын

Nauru doesn't have a capital, and Switzerland technically doesn't either.

@antonio9766 Жыл бұрын

Yes Switzerland dose have capital City Bern.

@oliversissonphone6143 Жыл бұрын

@@antonio9766 wrong. There's a KZfaq video on it. Let me know if you can't find it.

@oliversissonphone6143 Жыл бұрын

@@antonio9766 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nb6KmLuEl9ixlZs.html

@chileno-fan-de-las-sopaipillas 2 жыл бұрын

Tokelau should start exploring the bottom of its atolls to see if it has resources to focus on fishing and help from New Zealand to make houses for a new population and when it does all this they should make a referendum🇹🇰🇹🇰

@sunbeagle9769 2 ай бұрын

Tokelau has beautiful Silver coins.

@guillaumeroy7528 2 жыл бұрын

Free association is extremely ambiguous. The Compact of Free Association between the US and the three Micronesian states of Palau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands is widely different compared to the US and Puerto Rico (officially "Estado libre asociado de Puerto Rico", literally "Freely Associated State of Puerto Rico").

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. You are absolutely right. The two countries that use it are New Zealand and the US. And, as you point out, they mean it very differently. I keep meaning to take a proper look at this.

@guillaumeroy7528 2 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKerLindsay Thank you for your comment. In the case of the US alone, the free association of the three Micronesian states vis-à-vis Puerto Rico's is starkly different. Interestingly, the official English name is "Commonwealth of Puerto Rico" which is inconsistent with the Spanish name mentioned in my original comment.

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

@@guillaumeroy7528 Thanks. Officially, PR isn’t in free association. To my mind, Commonwealth is just a euphemism for colony. I actually did a video on Puerto Rico.

@guillaumeroy7528 2 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKerLindsay That's very true. The full official Spanish name for Puerto Rico is very misleading.

@khadidjakoka6419 3 жыл бұрын

The small size of any country does not prevent independence, There are many countries smaller than Tokelau. Lets people decide. Free Tokelau.

@JamesKerLindsay 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Technically you are right. There is no formal minimum size for a state. However, if Tokelau did become independent, it would actually be the smallest real state in the world. (The Vatican is a strange exception.) That was the point of the video. It was to ask whether it was forbidden from becoming a state. It isn’t. Instead, the question is ether, with a population of just 1400 people, it could feasibly be an independent country able to carry out its full domestic and international functions?

@riordanparata4339 2 жыл бұрын

Well the island decided against being independent LOL good luck without New Zealand’s help

@khadidjakoka6419 2 жыл бұрын

@@riordanparata4339 Independence for Tokelau.

@riordanparata4339 2 жыл бұрын

@@khadidjakoka6419 good luck XOXO it will never happen so that’s a shame

@khadidjakoka6419 2 жыл бұрын

@@riordanparata4339 Tokelau independence it will happen soooon. Ok.

@JewelMash2728 3 жыл бұрын

🇹🇰🇹🇰🇹🇰

@masp809 3 жыл бұрын

They were free before they were colonized. I don’t see why they wouldn’t be able to make it on their own again.

@checkoutnow_8437 2 жыл бұрын

It's not a question of whether they can make it on their own. That applies to any community. It's about what superior opportunities are available from independence. Before colonisation there was no modern medicine, no education and no means of carrying out work or trade except to the closest neighbours who viewed them as foreigners. When you have very few resources, then independence is likely to reduce your opportunities and make you vulnerable to exploitation.

@abdulazizothman8547 Жыл бұрын

If Papua independence the late Soekarno Javanese leaders must be cry !!?

@VIC-hx2ny 4 жыл бұрын

wouldn't it be viable to give it to Samoa and they could make a kinda of federation? For me it's quite weird how this isolated and small nations like Tuvalu, Samoa... manage to survive on their own. A federation of them would make more sense to me

@JamesKerLindsay 4 жыл бұрын

It raises some fascinating questions, doesn’t it? While I can see the advantages of federation in some ways, in others it would be potentially damaging. The area is so vast and cut off one from the other that many things are best run locally. Also, a federation is likely to cause disputes over power and payment. How would Tokelau participate alongside Fiji, Tonga and Samoa. Indeed, we can always see what is happening in Chuuk. (I’ll try to do something on that soon.) The South Pacific really raises some interesting questions about statehood in the twenty-first century.

@VIC-hx2ny 4 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKerLindsay running the things in a local way and sharing a president, defence and foreign affairs would probably be the best idea, improving their position in the world (and having more strength in negotiations for fishing rights, for example). But I agree that if politicians want it could also cause problems. Btw I have also another question, why doesnt the US decolonise or incorporte American Samoa or Guam?

@masp809 3 жыл бұрын

🇹🇻 🇹🇰 and 🇼🇸 are 3 different ethnic groups with different cultures. They deserve to have their own separate sovereign states.

@riordanparata4339 2 жыл бұрын

@@VIC-hx2ny if they do become part of Samoa they will be stripped of Nz citizenship

@stephenhoughton632 Жыл бұрын

What I think is interesting is that you are unable it se the "might makes right" implications of this. The fat is the that this population is less than an infantry battalion. Its claim to soveriegnty is silly.

@morthasivaramakrishna2657 Жыл бұрын

pleas watch spiritual reality video its give unconditional joy from India

@Never_Compromise 2 жыл бұрын

Eh, too small to take seriously , they need to be apart of a bigger country like New Zealand. Independence is off the table , the small town I live in Belarus has x3 as many people.

@maikotter9945 2 жыл бұрын

Beitrag des Montages, 11. Juli 2022 PROBABLY EVERY HUMAN IS RELATED; TO EVERY OTHER HUMAN! Weißrußland How Belarus integrated the former polish parts into its area?

@Never_Compromise 2 жыл бұрын

@@maikotter9945 That must've happened in the past at some point because we aren't inegrating with Poland anytime soon.

@maikotter9945 2 жыл бұрын

@@Never_Compromise I specifically mean the boarder changes in Europe around the year 1945. The State of the Vatican City is a little Version of rural Poland! :)

@belstar1128 4 жыл бұрын

#freetokelau

@omaralkayal7598 4 жыл бұрын

Not really , it’s not realistic at all Compared to Tuvalu I think that at least Tuvalu has a decent number of residents judging by its size and it can function no problem and they have there own Airport etc etc As for Tokelau it’s just nuts that they even think about independence but I think the best thing to do if they want complete decolonization is to have Niue , Tokelau and the Cook Islands joined into one country ( if and only if they wanted independence ) that in my opinion well be the best thing to do and most of their problems would be solved and the total population of that territory well be 20,503 people if they joined together , seriously if you know anyone who’s in charge please show them my proposal 😅

@JamesKerLindsay 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much, Omar! A brilliant solution. :-) Seriously, I do agree that some 'consolidation' would help. However, it would probably have to be more limited than many might imagine. A wider confederation would almost certainly run into problems. There would start to be issues over financial contributions and political power. Then again, perhaps an EU model could work really well in a situation like this. Greater convergence in areas where convergence makes sense, but retaining distinct national identities.

@omaralkayal7598 4 жыл бұрын

James Ker-Lindsay Correct, quite frankly I didn’t take this into consideration but to be honest it really not possible for them to be a nation especially with this small amount of people and let’s not forget that they won’t have the capacity to produce anything they’ll become like Nauru a country that imports all there food from Australia and lives off of donations and aid from other countries they can’t do anything domestically because realistically they are just THAT small of a territory

@tkl0773 3 жыл бұрын

I think we are better off staying with NZ

@MrTeniguafez 2 жыл бұрын

It seems like integration into NZ is the best option. An arrangement with Samoa could also be possible.

@saxonjf Жыл бұрын

Tokelau is too small to be a Republic and too big to be an...

@sopheakhean6603 2 жыл бұрын

I do believe that Tokelau should become part of New Zealand and will gain so much more than being independent. Tokelau would enjoy the full financial support, and rights to migrate to New Zealand and work here as a kiwi and have one of the most powerful passports in the world. Also, the bonus is that Tokelau will be protected and prevent China take over.

@shwetaseth1352 3 жыл бұрын

I live in this island it. is too Small to be a natio

@jovicadimic6063 4 жыл бұрын

hi i just came from your video that you uploaded 2 months ago how many countries recognize kosovo and sry for my bad english first thing you american people always speak about kosovo and all that crap but lets get deep in the conversation lets speak about what they did during the war to my people how did they took it and how americans used forbiden bombs message me and ill tell you all about it then maybe you will see much clearly then now..........................

@JamesKerLindsay 4 жыл бұрын

For a start, I am not actually American. Ja sam Britanac! Secondly, I have written extensively on Kosovo. Indeed, my work has also been published in Serbian www.knjizara.com/Kosovo-put-ka-osporenoj-drzavnosti-na-Balkanu-Dzejms-Ker-Lindzi-133354 I actually spend a lot of time in Serbia and know the country very well. I am not sure why, but you seem to jump to conclusions about my positions.

@jovicadimic6063 4 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKerLindsay @James Ker-Lindsay Just bcs you spent time in serbia and bcs you are from britain you think you know something do a video what americans and albanians did during the war if you dont know dw there are allot of people who can tell you everything how they faught during the war just check that and like i said before if you dont know ill tell you instead of recording and talking bs in your videos talk about that with true information.....................................

@mateoaguado1684 4 жыл бұрын

@@jovicadimic6063 chill

@JamesKerLindsay 4 жыл бұрын

Which bit of “I published a book that was deemed to be of sufficient quality and analysis to be translated and published by one of the leading publishers in Serbia” did you not quite understand!? If you show me your academically reviewed research on Kosovo then perhaps we can have a more in depth conversation. Until then, you sound just like every other nationalist who seems to think that being born into a country is the only possible qualification one needs or should have to comment on an issue.

@jovicadimic6063 4 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKerLindsay are you serious you talking about academically review crap so for you academic shity review is much better then actually being there wow gj academic gj you just said the dumbest thing in the world only when you are there you will know how it feels everyone can write stupid crap on the piece of paper here is what happen to one of our soldiers who was there fighting everything seemed ok then he went to sleep after he woke up his hair was gray and there are so much more that happened this is not just 1 percent of it only god knows how many things that we dont know happened there and they won that war using dirty crap and not fighting like they should keep your books and academic review for your self but if you are talking about something at least make a long long long video and say everything you are from britain its normal for you to hate us and talk random crap..........

@davidanderson9664 2 жыл бұрын

The next Chinese military base. D.A. NYC

@mosskalolo1701 Жыл бұрын

Yankee war monger in the name of democracy

@jonathanbowers8964 2 жыл бұрын

Another thing to consider is climate change. If I was a small Pacific Island, I would focus on getting my citizens guarantees to allow them to resettle to higher ground. Independence in the South Pacific is foolish at this point in time as it is likely that most of these islands will be underneath the waves in our lifetimes. Instead the focus should be on securing a future for their people. For Tokelau, that is keeping the guarantees of New Zealand citizenship and the right to move to higher ground on the New Zealand main islands.

@merxho95 4 жыл бұрын

I dont see why Tokelau would like to be independent its better they stay with New Zealand.

@JamesKerLindsay 4 жыл бұрын

All-in-all, it does seem hard to see how it could realistically become independent. Even a free association would seem challenging. But Niue seems to manage with a population only marginally larger than Tokelau.

@fatimamalia158 3 жыл бұрын

Totally agree 80% of our people prefer to stay with nz can't imagine tokelau going independent it would be hard for the island to cope with in my opinion 6000 tokelauns currently live in nz so you can gather from those numbers who tokelauns would stay with