Empire of Atlantium
Flag of Atlantium
The Empire of Atlantium, based in Sydney, Australia, is a political advocacy group promoting the idea of "global sovereignty" and aiming to cause a paradigm shift in the concept of what constitutes a sovereign state. The Atlantium website utilises several different self-description formulations, including the assertions that it is a "self-declared state" and an "aspirant microstate", otherwise known as a micronation.
The group, founded by three then-teenagers, dates its establishment to 1981. One founder, George Francis Cruickshank (born 1966), was chosen as "head of state" with the title Emperor George II. As prime ministers were appointed Geoffrey Duggan (1982-1986), Damian Scott (1986-1988), and Kevin Fanucchi (1988-1990). By 1990, when the original group members had graduated from university and moved to different locations, the group ceased to be active.
In 1999 Cruickshank, now employed in the Australian telecommunications industry, acquired an apartment in the inner Sydney suburb of Potts Point and soon after revived the "Empire" and launched a website, which was instrumental in attracting new "citizens". As of August 2004, the group claims to have 831 members, in over 60 countries. There are no "taxes" or other membership fees and becoming a citizen requires the submission of either an online or paper application form; the application is likely to be approved if the supplied personal data is complete and is believed to be correct. It is not clear how many members are "active" in any significant way. The website names just over 20 members holding such functions as ministers, directors, magisters, or imperial legates.
Among the generally progressive causes Atlantium espouses are the right to unrestricted international freedom of movement, the right to abortion, the right to assisted suicide and decimal calendar reform.
Atlantium's territorial claims are limited to Cruickshank's 61 m² apartment (the so-called "Imperium Proper"), located several kilometres from the centre of Sydney's main business district, though in practice this territory remains under Australian jurisdiction.
No established nation has recognised Atlantium's sovereignty and it has no reciprocal diplomatic relations, but instead appoints "unaccredited diplomatic representatives" to serve its interests and support its citizens in various towns, states/provinces, nation-states and regions of the world.
Atlantium says its citizenship does not supersede previously existing citizenships. Atlantians contend that they are all dual-citizens, and that Atlantium actively encourages its citizens to participate in the political processes of their resident countries.
While the group uses the words "citizenship" and "diplomatic" idiosyncratically, supporters note that Atlantium has made no secret of its attempts at redefining existing paradigms, and claim that this is in fact a fundamental motivation for the group's existence.
The group mints and sells "solidi" coins. The website claims that the profits from those sales are used for "the Empire's ongoing operations" as well as charitable causes, though there is no verifiable accounting of that.
References
- "His Majesty George II: The boy from Hurstville who now rules a big flat" by Justin Norrie, The Sydney Morning Herald, May 7, 2004 p3
- "Micronations", by Justin Norrie, HQ Magazine, Nov-Dec 2003, p90-93 and 144-145
- "The Empire Strikes a Coin" by John Mulhall, The Australasian Coin & Banknote Magazine July, 2002
- "Passport to Pimlico - Aussie style" by David Fickling, The Guardian, 20 November, 2002
- "The national madness of King George" by Billy Adams The New Zealand Herald, 29 August, 2001
- "Cea mai mica tara este intr-un apartment" by Calin Stroila Libertatea (Romania), 16 July, 2001, p1