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[GlyphGryph]

They are also surrounded on all sides by America, and are totally dependant on imports from it.
And since when does the US give a shit about the UN?

Well, I don't see why seceding would mean they'd stop trading. And they've actually got a quite robust shipping economy that imports good from around the world. They are a coastal state, after all, so it's not like they'd be totally cut off.

[Lightningfalcon]

What current reasons would they have for succeeding thou? 

[Frumple]

Whatever insanity powers nationalism in general, really. Just on a smaller scale, I guess. Tribalism's always been a bit of a draw to our species, for all that it's caused more trouble than it's worth.

[Helgoland]

Naah, tribalism's great - it made progress necessary. Capitalism's basically absorbed some of tribalism's mechanisms to generate wealth; and one could make the case that Europe's rise to world dominance, nay, world domination (there I said it) has its foundation in the constant quarrels between the nation-tribes.

(All that with a grain of salt, of course )

[Frumple]

So the cause of 9/10ths of the world's problems and the cure for 7/10ths? Sounds about right

[misko27]

So the cause of 9/10ths of the world's problems and the cure for 7/10ths? Sounds about right

Well, don't forget it was the tide of nationalism that gave us the french revolution, the American revolution, a united Germany, a unified italy, and broke down the power of the empires. Of course, It's also to blame for Fascism, the American civil war, The Viscius nitghtmare that was Central Europe:1918-1936, and many of the wars and conflicts currently ongoing.

So has it's good and it's bads. Still shouldn't make us deal with the idea of a independant Rhode Island though.

[Johnfalcon99977]

Well, looks like were getting a new state, seeing as Congress never says no to a new state.

[Grek]

One of only three states with the legal right to secede from the Union at-will (It was a requirement for them joining at all, even under threat of war)

This is not actually true.

[GlyphGryph]

What isn't? I mean, at the very least they are one of the few who can make a convincing argument to that effect, at least.

[Pnx]

I believe earlier in the thread it was pointed out that Puerto Rico has actually been blocked from becoming a state before. Also there was a whole fiasco of issues when it came to making a lot of the newer states states before. Historically congress has worried that the new states will vote for the opposite party and give the other party an edge, IIRC some of the newer states were only added as long as they added other states along with them that would hopefully vote the other way (I could be wrong about that though, my memory of American history can be kind of fuzzy).

[MetalSlimeHunt]

Puerto Rico's politics are....strange compared to the rest of the US. It's actually strongly Republican, despite Hispanics being a more Democratic group in the states.

Hence, there's really no telling who would benefit from PR being a state. It could stick to the GOP, or fall in line with the demographic trend once it has a say in national politics. Hopefully both the Democrats and the Republicans will assume that of course PR will end up supporting their side since it is obviously superior and both vote for accepting it while laughing at the other side for their foolishness.

[Lightningfalcon]

From what I remember (Have yet to take APUSH), most of the problems that you're thinking of came from back when we had free states and slave states.  Each side was always worried that a new state would tip the balance in the others favor, so they normally added states in pairs, or you had results like bleeding Kansas. 

[GlyphGryph]

I believe earlier in the thread it was pointed out that Puerto Rico has actually been blocked from becoming a state before.

Yes, this has been pointed out. But I haven't been able to find any evidence of this. If you know something, please, share!

[MaximumZero]

Puerto Rico's politics are....strange compared to the rest of the US. It's actually strongly Republican, despite Hispanics being a more Democratic group in the states.

Hence, there's really no telling who would benefit from PR being a state. It could stick to the GOP, or fall in line with the demographic trend once it has a say in national politics. Hopefully both the Democrats and the Republicans will assume that of course PR will end up supporting their side since it is obviously superior and both vote for accepting it while laughing at the other side for their foolishness.

That would be amazing.

[GlyphGryph]

And then they break hard Libertarian, leaving both parties gnashing teeth.