How to Rule Your Own Country

Many people think they can do a better job running a country than politicians but few actually give it a go. What happens when political disagreement pushes to the point of no return? When a person has a dream of what their ideal country would be, and then tries to create it? A place where there is no monarchy, or no taxes, or no government regulation ...

There are around 130 of these countries better known as micronations across the globe. One third of them are in Australia. Harry Hobbs and George Williams take us into some of the most prominent and fascinating micronations around the world, including the Principality of Hutt River, the Principality of Sealand, the Republic of Minerva, the Principality of New Utopia and more.

How to Rule Your Own Country is a lively account of the people who decide that 'enough is enough' and create their own nation.

'A thoughtful and entertaining insight into micronations.' - Peter FitzSimons

'Australia is a micronations mecca. Micronations emerge for reasons ranging from the silly to the serious. While they often seem frivolous, this book makes us think seriously about just what the nature of the state may be.' - Laura Tingle

'When it comes to micronations, I have for many years made a point of reading nothing that I haven't written myself. In the case of this book, I made a rare exception to that rule, and I'm glad I did. Harry Hobbs and George Williams have written a fascinating insight into micronations around the world. You should read it too.' - Georgivs II, Imperator et Primvs Inter Pares, Empire of Atlantium

'An accessible and entertaining read.' - The Guardian Australia

Harry Hobbs is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Law at the University of Technology Sydney. As a constitutional and human rights lawyer his work explores questions of sovereignty and statehood. His books include Indigenous Aspirations and Structural Reform in Australia and, with George Williams, Micronations and the Search for Sovereignty.

George Williams AO is a Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Law at UNSW Sydney. He has written widely on constitutional law and public policy, including Australian Constitutional Law and Theory, The Oxford Companion to the High Court of Australia and Human Rights under the Australian Constitution. As a barrister he has appeared in the High Court in cases on freedom of speech, freedom from racial discrimination and the rule of law. He is a media commentator on legal issues and a columnist for The Australian.

Many people think they can do a better job running a country than politicians - but few actually give it a go. What happens when political disagreement pushes to the point of no return? When a person has a dream of what their ideal country would be, and then tries to create it? A place where there is no monarchy, or no taxes, or no government regulation ... There are around 130 of these countries - better known as micronations - across the globe. One third of them are in Australia. Harry Hobbs and George Williams take us into some of the most prominent and fascinating micronations around the world, including the Principality of Hutt River, the Principality of Sealand, the Republic of Minerva, the Principality of New Utopia and more. How to Rule Your Own Country is a lively account of the people who decide that 'enough is enough' and create their own nation. 'A thoughtful and entertaining insight into micronations.' -- Peter FitzSimons 'Australia is a micronations mecca. Micronations emerge for reasons ranging from the silly to the serious. While they often seem frivolous, this book makes us think seriously about just what the nature of the state may be.' -- Laura Tingle 'When it comes to micronations, I have for many years made a point of reading nothing that I haven't written myself. In the case of this book, I made a rare exception to that rule, and I'm glad I did. Harry Hobbs and George Williams have written a fascinating insight into micronations around the world. You should read it too.' -- Georgivs II, Imperator et Primvs Inter Pares, Empire of Atlantium 'An accessible and entertaining read.' -- The Guardian Australia

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