Greenland separates from Denmark

[Michael]

Late last month, the 57,000 people who inhabit this harsh land took a firm step further into the cold when a decisive majority voted "aap" - yes - to seeking complete independence from Denmark, their colonial master for nearly 300 years.

Source (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/11/greenland-denmark-independence)

On the surface, this looks like a good example of my theory that 'nothing creates separatist movements more effectively than subsidies'. The greater the subsidy, it seems the greater the separatist movement. Odd pattern.

Perhaps our Danish members might be able to shed some further light on this issue?

[Korimyr the Rat]

On the surface, this looks like a good example of my theory that 'nothing creates separatist movements more effectively than subsidies'. The greater the subsidy, it seems the greater the separatist movement. Odd pattern.

Would you say that this is the same phenomenon behind the US States receiving the most Federal tax dollars being the ones most determined to slash taxes?

[Michael]

Would you say that this is the same phenomenon behind the US States receiving the most Federal tax dollars being the ones most determined to slash taxes?
Yes, that appears to be a very closely related phenomena.

Btw, the highest US-tax-subsidy-receiving states are mostly 'red-states'. And ALL the top tax-subsidy-receiving Congressional districts are all held by Republicans. ;)

Free money from the government seems to breed the idea of self-sufficient prosperty (and delusions that such subsidies will continue forever).

With respect to Greenland, cutting of the Danish subsidy would put Greenland into the very bottom decile of the world's poorest nations. They'll now be selling their souls to Exxon and mining companies in order to survive.

[SMadsen]

Yes, that appears to be a very closely related phenomena.

Btw, the highest US-tax-subsidy-receiving states are mostly 'red-states'. And ALL the top tax-subsidy-receiving Congressional districts are all held by Republicans. ;)

Free money from the government seems to breed the idea of self-sufficient prosperty (and delusions that such subsidies will continue forever).

With respect to Greenland, cutting of the Danish subsidy would put Greenland into the very bottom decile of the world's poorest nations. They'll now be selling their souls to Exxon and mining companies in order to survive.
I think the article is well written and sheds more light on the issue than I (as a Danish member) am able to.

With the new referendum for self-governance, independency is indeed based on economic independence, which, again, is based on a right to own underground resources (yeah, we're giving trillions away for the second time in just 46 years). This means that Greenland and not a multinational company has to generate a surplus corresponding to the cut-back on subsidies in order to pave the way for independence.

Whether it'll work that way I don't know. I seriously doubt it and, at least after a transition phase, I think your predictions will become quite accurate. Without going into more or less stereotypical thoughts on some Greenlandic mindset, logic tells me that a mere 60,000 people sitting on a humonguous future oil reserve in a politically stable part of the world can't but expose themselves to a new round of colonialism. Except this time, it'll be one with no consideration outside the economics.