h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

... and no religion too.

I know it ain't going to happen, but wouldn't it be great?

Racism would disappear. Countries sqabbling over bits of land would cease. An end to Duty Free goods. No Euro politics. No Foreign Office in the Government, nor a Ministry of Defence, probably. We'd not not have to fluff the words to the National Anthem. Terry Wogan would loose his job commentating on the Eurovision Song Contest.

No Ronaldo at the World Cup. No cities competing to host the Olympics. No more Jamaican bob sleigh teams. Not having to pretend to be interested in curling. No Williams' sisters winning a Wimbledon tennis championship over and over.

No glorioulsy triumphant England rugby team holding the Web Ellis Trophy aloft in front of a defeated home Aussie crowd to the tumultuous applause of their supporters, while millions at home watch on TV, their eyes filled with tears of joy.

Aah. Perhps it's not such a good thing then!!

what makes you think people would stop competing?
Sports and music competitions would still go on as they do within countries.

2/3

I don't think freedom of imigration would lead to the end of nationalism, though I also don't think it would be a bad thing if it did.

Though I do suppose it would create something of a shift from people identifying themselves by their nationality or home country to people identifying themselves by their culture, or even their common interests, which I personally think would be a Good Thing.

Look at the EU. There is freedom of immigration. Yet people still compete, still identify themselves as Spanish, French, Portuguese. Even within the UK which is ONE country and has been for centuries they compete. England v Scotland in rugby yeserday. Wales v scotland in football last week. Yet people still say I'm Welsh, Scottish etc.

2/3

That's because they aren't one country. (In my ignorant opinion.)

The UK (Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland and England)is one country. Been that way for centuries. One head of state (Tony Blair), one vote in the UN.

For the UK to be more than 1 country then the US would be 50 countries. After all they have 50 state governments each with control over their little patch. Completely different laws and all!

And b4 you say about competing in sports. You only get 1 team in the Olympics. And its nothing to do with government.

2/3

'One head of state (Tony Blair)'

Please tell me this is meant to be ironic.

Yeah, last time I checked this was a constituential monarchy. I know the constitution is under review but...

I stand corrected.

The Queen (monarch) is the head of state.

But my main point still stands!
The UK is one country.

2/3

'The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland' according to my passport!!!

Good on you Admiral!

Yes. UK for short! Who can be arsed to right all that!

See post 6. I know which territories are included!

Good on you Admiral!

Yes. UK for short! Who can be arsed to write all that!

See post 6. I know which territories are included!

Although I think Cornwall and the North East are both getting there own regional assemblies which will confuse things!!!

Again, I said ignorant. I was basing this opinion on the knowledge that Scotland revolted from England (or tried to at least, I don't know for sure if they were successful) back in Medeival times.

I don't know, ask the reincarnation of William Wallace over there!!!